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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



THIS VOLUA^E CONTAINS BIOGRAPHICAL 
SKETCHES OF 

THE LEADING CITIZENS OF 
DELAWARE COUNTY 

NEW YORK 



" Bio§:raphy is the lioiiie aspect of history" 



BOSTON 

Biographical Review Publishing Company 
1895 



■ e^r^'f 



PREFACE 



GC)\'riCMI'()RAR\' lecorils ma}- l)e said to be a dcln clue from every t;ciKTatiiin to the 
future. So inuch has the \vritin<;- of annals and ])lacinfi them in a ]ieriiianent form 
been neglected liitherto that an additional burden has fallen on the |)resent, which, besides 
doing its own work, must needs bra\-ely endeavor to make u\) for things left undone of old. 
Hence this volume of Delaware Comity biograjjliies. which, thanks to the generous co-operation 
of an a]j])reciative public, we are now enabled to |)lace before our readers, while fintling its 
subjects mostly among the li\-ing, men and women faithfulh' intent on the business of to-dav. 
mentions not a few of their ancestors, near and remote, — emigrants from the Old World, from 
the banks of the Hudson, and from the waxe-washed shores of New I-jigland. These jxiges call 
to mind the toils and endurance of the jaioneers who sturdi]\ hewed their wav through the 
jiathless woods, finding sweet |)asture on the tufted hillsides and along the water-courses in 
the valleys for their flocks and herds, and. slowl\- ujiturning the sod to the sunshine, made the 
wilderness to smile with the earl\- harxest. Here. too. are chronii-jed names and deeds of 
stanch patriots who fought and bleil for the "land of the noble free." -Such |)rogenitoi's 
may well claim from their descendants what a wise speaker has termed " a moral and philo- 
sophical respect, which elexates the character and impro\es the heart." It is the nature of 
jK-rsonal memoirs like the jiresent to increase in \-alue as the \ears go h\. wheiefore the book 
should commend itself as of more than passing interest and fleeting worth. — .i volume that will 
be jirizetl by children's children for one generation after aiiothei-. "' The great lesson of biog- 
rai)hy, " it has been well said, " is to show what man can be and do at his best. .A noble life 
]Hit fairly on record acts like an insjiiration. " 

Rn)(;K.\Piiic.\[. Ri:\ir,w Pliu.ishini. Co.miwnx. 
.M.\RCH. [<S95. 



\ 




Williams Martin. 



BIOSRAPHIGAL. 




ENERAL WILEIAMS MAR- 
TIN, a well-known antl widely 
influential citizen of Delaware 
County, one of tlie foremost 
in works of internal ini])rove- 
ment, and jn'iMninent also in 
military circles, was t)orn May 
3, 1827, in the town of Han- 
cock. His grandfather, Eben- 
ezer, was a native of Mans- 
field, Conn., and was of ICng- 
lish descent, the family being among the early 
settlers of New England. Ebenezer was a 
soldier in the Revolutionary War, and, after 
that struggle was over, gave his attention to 
farming in Connecticut. On April 3, 1777, 
he married Eucy Eane. by whom he had three 
children: Eydia, born March 11, 1778; Eem- 
uel, born January 21, 17S0: Amasa, born 
September 6, 1782. Amasa was the original 
settler of Fayetteville, Onondaga County, 
N.Y., coming there from Connecticut, and 
clearing the farm where his descendants still 
live. Eeniuel was a pioneer of Parksville, 
Sullivan County, N.Y., to which place he 
came in 181 1, bringing his young wife (Eory 
Trowbridge) on an ox team. The second wife 
of Ebenezer was Joanna I'assett, whom he 
married March i, 1785, and by whom he 
had seven children. The eldest, Ebenezer, 
born March 30, 1786, was a lawyer by profes- 
sion, and died of cholera at Harrisonville, 
III., August 27, 1819. Josiah, born April 
17, 1788, was father of the subject of this 
sketch, and died July 27, 1856. Orra, born 
January 25, 1791, was a Baptist clergyman, 
and lived to be nearly a hundred years old. 
John was born April 4, 1793. Eucy was born 
.May 3, 1795. Henry was born July 2, 1799. 
Charles was born September 14, 1802. 



Josiah Martin was educated in his native 
town of Mansfield, and then studied law, but 
later took up the profession of surveyor. He 
was drafted in the War of 1812, and, after 
getting his discharge, settled in Hancock in 
1816, being engaged as teacher in the town 
school. Previous to this he had taught in 
Virginia. On I'V'bruary 26, 1817, he married 
Rachel Williams, who was the daughter of 
Titus and Phcebe Williams, her father being 
a local i)reacher and one of the first settlers of 
the Delaware Valley. Josiah and Rachel 
Martin were the parents of nine children, two 
of whom died in infancy. The following 
lived to reach maturity: Charles, born No- 
vember 12, 18 18; James, born October 12, 
1S20; lane, born November 26, 1822; Levi, 
born March 24, 1825; Williams, born, as 
above mentioned. May 3, 1827; Josiah, born 
September 19, (829; Rachel, born January 7, 
1833. Mrs. Rachel Martin died August 5, 
1836: and on March 20, 1842, Josiah Martin 
married Sally Purdy. They lived upon the 
home farm the remainder of their lives. 

Williams Martin was educated in the dis- 
trict schools of his nati\e town, after which 
he followed the river as a lumberman, and 
also taught school in Delaware and Sullivan 
Counties. When but eighteen years old he 
piloted two rafts to Trenton, and was called 
the youngest steersman on the river. At 
twenty-one he was elected Superintendent ot 
the common schools of his native town. 
Much time in his early life he spent with his 
father as a surveyor: and after a while he 
adopted that profession, and has followed it 
for many years, and has been employed by the 
State engineer and sur\-eyor for the last 
twenty years in settling many disputed lines 
between counties and towns. He was one of 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



the most active promoters of the Midland 
Railroad, and was Railroad Commissioner for 
the town of Hancock during the building of 
the road. He was also Vice-rresident and 
Director of what is now the Scranton Branch 
of the Ontario & Western Railroad. 

On July 27, 1848, General Martin was mar- 
ried to Polly Landfield, daughter of Clark and 
Hannah (Thomas) Landfield. Her parents 
were born in Delaware County, and here 
spent their entire lives, dying when quite 
advanced in years. Wherever known, they 
were loved and respected for their many 
virtues. A brief account of them and of 
Mrs. Martin's grandparents is given in the 
sketch of her brother, the Hon. Jerome B. 
Landfield, of Binghamton, in the "Biographi- 
cal Review of Broome County." Clark Land- 
field, who was a business man of Hancock, 
was of New England ancestry. His father, 
Mijah Landfield, a native of Stonington, 
Conn., born in 1767, was one of the earliest 
settlers of Delaware County, pushing out into 
this wild and almost unknown region when 
but a young man. He made a part of the 
journey by canoe up the Delaware River, 
reaching the frontier soon after the last guns 
of the Revolution had sounded the note of 
victory over foreign tyranny, and when the 
Indians had retreated to their hilly fastnesses 
and surrendered their favorite hunting- 
grounds. Mr. Landfield was a man of will 
and energy, and he went to work to clear the 
forest where now lies the village of Harvard. 
He was active in advancing the best interests 
of the settlement, being among the first to 
lend a helping hand to every new comer, ex- 
tending hospitality to the stranger who sought 
a home along the valley of the upper Dela- 
ware. He married the daughter of a pioneer. 
Miss Phebe Youmans; and they reared a good 
family to succeed them in the development of 
the new country. Having lived useful and 
happy lives, they died amid the scenes of 
their long labors, respected and beloved, and 
leaving to their children the priceless treasure 
of a good and honored name. Early members 
of the Landfield family had fought for their 
country in the Revolution. 

Mrs. Martin's mother, a lady of strong 
character and high mental qualities, was a 



daughter of Elijah Thomas, of sturdy New 
England ancestry, himself a Revolutionary 
patriot. He entered the army in 1778, and 
served faithfully till the close of the war, 
often employed as a bearer of despatches from 
the commander-in-chief. His discharge bears 
the signature of the immortal Washington. 
Having led a life of honorable activity, he 
died when about fourscore years of age, in 
Delaware County, whither he had come as a 
pioneer from his native State. He married 
Mindwell Baxter, a native of Connecticut, her 
family being of the early Puritan stock. She 
was a true wife and mother, antl, like her hus- 
band, a devoted Christian. She died in the 
village of Harvard, when full of years. 

General and Mrs. Martin have had four 
children, a brief mention of whom is as fol- 
lows: C. Leslie, born December i, 1849, 
Auditor of the Charleston, Sumter & North- 
ern Railroad; William Jay, born P'ebruary 8, 
1852, General Freight and Passenger Agent 
of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad; 
Fletcher W., born June 26, 1853, now at Liv- 
ingston Manor on the O. & W. Railroad; 
Charles Francis, born October 28, 1855, died 
February 19, 1857. 

From his youth General Martin has taken 
an active interest in the State militia, and at 
the age of eighteen was elected Second Ser- 
geant of the company to which he belonged. 
In 1845 he was elected Orderly Sergeant, twt) 
years later received his commission as Cap- 
tain, and during the war was given by Gov- 
ernor Seymour the rank of Colonel. He 
raised and equipped the One Hundredth New 
York State Volunteers, and Iiad them ready 
for marching at a moment's notice. He held 
command of the regiment till June 27, 1867, 
and then received his commission as Briga- 
dier-general of the Eighteenth Brigade of 
the National Guard of the State of New York. 
He remained in the service until 1873, when 
he received his discharge, and is still held as 
a supernumerary. In 1877 the General was 
associated with a syndicate of New York capi- 
talists in building the P. N. C. & L. E. Rail- 
road, and was Secretary and Director of the 
company for three years, after which he 
again removed to his native town of Hancock, 
and has since been actively engaged in super- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



intending and caring for his lumbering and 
farming interests, being one of the largest 
real-estate holders in the Delaware Valley. 
In 1892 he was elected a Director of the 
"Orange Count)' Trust and Safe Deposit 
Company, at Middletown, N.V., one of the 
largest and most prospL'rous institutions of the 
kind in Soutliern New York." 

In politics he is a Democrat, and is one of 
the leaders of his party. He was Postmaster 
at Harvard, N.Y., during the Fillmore admin- 
istration. "The Pines," the comfortable 
home of the General and Mrs. Martin, is sit- 
uated on a promontory some fifty feet above, 
and five hundred feet distant from, the junc- 
tion of the Beaver Kill and luist Branch of 
the Delaware River, and overlooking the 
bustling little village of luist Branch. 

The first portrait in the present volume will 
be recognized as a likeness of General Will- 
iams Martin, who is shown by the foregoing 
sketch to have done good service, and justly 
to have won an excellent reputation both as a 
soldier and a civilian. The work in which he 
has largely been engaged calls to mind the 
words of Emerson,' "Railroad inni is a magi- 
cian's rod, in its power to evoke the sleeping 
energies of land and water." 



TJSTUS W. TAYLOR has lived in the 
village of Hobart but a little short of 
half a century, and is now the oldest 
inhabitant. Mxcepting that he is 
still active and vigorous, bearing with ease 
his fourscore years, he might be likened to 
the sere and yellow leaf, the last on the tree; 
for it is true that he is the sole survivor of 
the companions of his early manhood who 
with him were residents of this (lart of Stam- 
ford, when it was but a small hamlet. He 
was born in the town of Stamford, September 
30, 1814, being the son of Baruch and Sarah 
(Wilcox) Taylor, the former of whom was a 
native of Danbury, Conn., born on January 7, 
1789, and the latter a native of Delaware 
County, iiaving entered this world May 12, 
1792, in the town of Harpersfield. 

Baruch Taylor was a son of .A.ndrew and 
Hannah (Smith) Taylor, both natives of Con- 
necticut. Andrew Tavlor was a weaver and a 



tanner by trade, and foUowed those vocations 
in the State of his ])irt]i. During the Revo- 
lutionary War he w.is drafted into the army. 
He subsequently migrated to Delaware 
County, becoming among the earliest set- 
tlers of the town of Harpersfield, where he 
iiought a tract of unimproved land from one of 
the members of the original Harper family. 
After clearing many acres of that purciiase, he 
removed to another farm in the same town, 
where he continued his [)ioneer labor until 
death closed his earthly career at the age of 
seventy years. He was one of the most suc- 
cessful farmers of the vicinity, being enabled 
to spend his last years free from active labor. 
At the time of his settlement Catskill was 
the nearest market, and the nearest mill was 
in Schoharie, whither the grist had to be 
taken on horseback. He was a stanch Demo- 
crat ill his political views, and both he and 
his good wife were members of the Episcopal 
church. She lived to the venerable age of 
ninety-four years. They reared three chil- 
dren — Baruch, Andrew, and Laura, all of 
whom lived to a good old age, and each reared 
large families. 

Baruch, the eldest son, was reared on the 
farm, and during the earlier years of his ma- 
ture life was engaged in teaching in the 
district schools. He was also a pioneer sing- 
ing-school master, being engaged in that ca- 
pacity for nearly forty years. He succeeded 
to the ownership of the parental homestead in 
the town of Stamford, the part then known as 
Harpersfield. He was a very useful and a 
thoroughly respected citizen, being a man 
whose word was as good as his bond. His 
wife, who was a sincere and worthy nn-mber 
of the Baptist church, of which he was an 
attendant, dejiarted this life on December 9, 
1S50. Baruch Taylor was a prominent mem- 
ber of the Democratic party, serving as Su- 
pervisor, Justice of the Peace, and in various 
other offices. He spent his last years at tlie 
home of the subject of this sketch, dying Feb- 
ruary 15, 1873. Iiight children were born to 
him' and his wife, seven of whom grew to 
maturity, and two are now living, as follows: 
Justus W. ; Andrew, born July 29, 1827, a 
lawyer in Hancock. Edmund R., born Feb- 
ruary 20, 1822, died May 31, 1831; Deloss 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Lafayette, born September 14, 1824, died 
November i, 1887; Celia J. Dickson, born 
January 11, 1816, died March 13, 1869; 
Laura L. Taylor, born February 8, 18 18, died 
October 4, 1846; and Sarah H., born January 
30i 1820, died February 2, 1870. 

Justus \V. Taylor was given the advantages 
of a good education, his first steps in the path 
of knowledge being trod in the schools of the 
district; and the instruction there obtained 
was further advanced in a select school and 
at Jefferson Academy. Mr. Taylor was sub- 
sequently engaged for twelve winter seasons 
as a teacher in the day schools, and, inherit- 
ing his father's musical talent, had also large 
classes in singing for many winters. He is 
one of the oldest teachers of Delaware County 
now living. Mr. Taylor has owned and occu- 
pied his farm of fifty acres in the village of 
Hobart since the day of his marriage, and in 
its management has met with great success. 
He is a farmer of excellent judgment, and a 
keen, capable business man, deservedly held 
in much respect as a citizen and neighbor. 

Mr. Taylor was married June 17, 1845, to 
Thirza M. Booth, a native of Harpersfield, 
where she was born November 25, 1825, being 
a daughter of John and Maria (Smith) Booth. 
Mr. Booth was one of the early settlers of this 
section of Delaware County, and in his capac- 
ity of carpenter and builder did much toward 
advancing the growth of the place. He died 
while yet a comparatively young man, at the 
age of forty years. His widow lived to cele- 
brate her eighty-third birthday. Both were 
active members of the Methodist church, and 
in politics he was a Whig. Of their eight 
children three are now living, namely: Mrs. 
Lydia Humphrey, of Harpersfield; Mrs. 
Thirza Taylor; and Mrs. Ruth Humphrey, 
of Harpersfield. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor has been 
blessed by the birth of two children. Eliza- 
beth, born October 12, 1849, is the wife of 
Jabez H. Barlow, a painter residing in Ho- 
bart; and John B., born May 3, 1852, a 
farmer, is married, and also lives in Hobart. 
Mrs. Taylor is a woman of far more than aver- 
age ability and energy, both mental and phys- 
ical. Since the age of sixteen years she has 
been engaged in the millinery business in the 



village, and may rightly be entitled the "pio- 
neer milliner." She has the largest and most 
stylish stock of millinery goods to be found in 
the vicinity, making two trips to New York 
City each year to buy her goods and secure 
the fashions. 

In his political views Mr. Taylor is identi- 
fied with the Democratic party, of which he is 
a faithful adherent. He has ever taken an ac- 
tive part in local matters, and has served for 
four years as Justice of the Peace, besides 
holding various other offices. Both he and 
his wife are active members of the Methodist 
church, in which he has served as Trustee and 
is now a Steward. 




of these 
uable, hir 



YRON L. BEACH is one of the 
practical and prosperous farmers 
of his native town of Masonville, 
and one of the representative men 
parts. He is the owner of a val- 
;hly cultivated farm of two hundred 
acres; and .here he carries on general farming 
and dairying, besides devoting a good deal of 
attention to the business of his saw-mill. 
He first opened his eyes to the light of this 
world on September 17, 1829, being a son of 
Chester and Eliza Ann (Root) Beach. His 
father was born in Litchfield County, Conn., 
and his mother in Dutchess County, New 
York. 

Among the early settlers of the town of 
Masonville were several families from Con- 
necticut, who removed from their native State 
in 1824, and, establishing themselves in this 
part of Delaware County, became largely in- 
strumental in developing its resources and 
advancing its growth. Prominent among this 
number was Joshua Beach, the paternal grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch, who, with 
four of his sons, settled within the limits of 
the town of Masonville, each buying a tract of 
wild land. Joshua Beach purchased about 
two hundred acres, on which a small place 
had been cleared and a log house erected. 
The forests still contained deer, bears, 
wolves, and other wild animals, which roamed 
unrestrained over the beautiful valleys and 
hillsides where sleek herds of cattle may now 
be seen peacefully grazing. By dint of labo- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'3 



rious industry the cklci- Ikach improved a fine 
homestead, and remained a respected resident 
of the town until his decease at the age of 
sixty-five years. In politics he was a Whig, 
and in religious matters w^as a sound I'reshy- 
terian. He married Lois Loomis, who sur- 
vived him, living to the ripe old age of 
fourscore years. They reared a family of 
eight children, si.\ sons and two daughters, 
none of whom are now living. 

Chester Beach was one of the four sons who 
came to Masonville when his father did, 
bringing with him his wife and family- He 
bought one hundred acres of unimproved land, 
on which he l)uilt a block-house; and into 
this he moved with his family. He cleared 
quite a tract of his land, and, buying more, 
bec.uiie the owner of a farm of one himdred 
and ninety-four and three-quarters acres. His 
death occurred when he was about sixty-five 
years old. His wife died long afterward, on 
the old homestead, at the advanced age of 
eighty years. In politics he was a Whig 
until'the disbandment of that party, when he 
became identified with the Democratic party. 

Of the four children of Mr. and Mrs. Ches- 
ter Beach, Myron L. is the only one now liv- 
ing. Ph(tbe Ann, a single lady, died at the 
age of sixty-six years. Electa M., who be- 
came the wife of Erastus Mills, died when 
only twenty-five years old. Lucius H. passed 
away at the age of fifty-three years. 

Myron L. Beach grew to man"s estate on 
the homestead, receiving his mental training 
in the district school, and on the farm acquir- 
ing a practical knowledge of agriculture. At 
the age of twenty-two years he began the 
battle of life on his own account, buying fifty 
acres of land, not very far from the parental 
homestead. He prospered in his labors, and 
through his habits of industry and thrift was 
enabled to add to his possessions, buying land 
adjoining the old homestead, so that he is now 
the possessor of two hundred valuable acres. 
In 1864 Mr. Beach moved on to the place 
adjoining the old home, where he has since 
resided, carrying on his farming operations in 
such an intelligent and judicious manner as to 
reap the best possible results. 

Mr. Beach was first married on the iith of 
February, 1852, to Maria II. Green, who was 



born in llarpersheld, Delaware County, iJe- 
cember 16, 1833, and who died November 6, 
1853, leaving no children. On Octcjber 8, 
1S54, he married Phtebe Ann Wilson, a na- 
tive of Otsego County, born in -South 
Worcester, February 20, 1827. She was the 
daughter of Joseph and Jane (Wilsey) Wilson, 
neither of whom is living. Of this union 
were born six children, whose record is as fol- 
lows: Lewis R., born April 4, 1856, died 
October 27, 1869. Lydia M., born April 8, 
1858, became the wife of Simeon Pond, and 
(lied May 29, 1883. Henry Kelson Beach, 
born May 15, i860, a single man, living at 
home, assists in the management of the home 
farm. Ida ICllen, born October 31, 1862, 
died March 4, 1863. Orrin Arthur, born 
August I, 1864, is a farmer, residing in Ox- 
ford, and is married, and has five children. 
Electa M., born September i, 1867, married 
Emory BarthoIomew^ and died May 25, 1887. 
Mrs. Ph(ebc A. Beach, the mother of this 
family of children, passed on to the higher 
life October 4, 1891 ; and Mr. Beach was 
united in marriage on February 14, 1893, to 
Lucy Ann Wilson, a sister of his second wife, 
and the widow of the late Reuben Jump. She 
was born in South Worcester on February 6, 
1834. 

Mr. and Mrs. Beach are liberal m their re- 
ligious beliefs; and he, politically, is a firm 
siqiporter of the principles of the Republican 
party. He has served as Justice of the Peace 
eight years, and has hehl many of the minor 
offices of the town. 



AMES HOLLEY, a successful agri- 
culturist of Walton, owns and occupies 
a comfortable homestead on the river 
road, about two miles from the village. 
Lie comes of patriotic Puritan stock, his 
grandfather Holley having been a life-long 
resident of Connecticut and a veteran of the 
Revolutionary War. 

Mr. Holley was born December 23, 1826, 
in the town of Delhi in this county, being a 
son of William Holley, a native of L'airfield 
County, Connecticut. William Holley re- 
mained with his parents until seventeen years 
old, when he went to Troy, N.V., where he 



M 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



learned the trade of shoemaking from a worthy 
Crispin who afterward became his brother-in- 
law. In 1818 he came to Delaware County, 
becoming one of the early pioneers of Delhi, 
where he worked at his trade for many years. 
He finally removed to Hanidcn, and there 
passed his remaining days, he living to cel- 
ebrate his eighty-second birthday. The 
maiden name of his wife, who was of Irish 
descent, the daughter of George Stewart, of 
Schenectady, was Ann Stewart. They reared 
a family of seven children; namely, John S., 
George, Stephen, ICliza Ann, James, Mar- 
garet, and Matilda. Mrs. Ann Holley was a 
member of the Baptist church, in which she 
did active work. She survived her husband, 
and died in Walton at the home of her son 
James, after a long and useful life of seventy- 
eight years. 

James Holley was the fifth child born into 
this household; and, being very young when 
his parents moved to Hamden, he there spent 
the days of his youth, receiving as good an 
education as the public schools of the locality 
afforded, and worked with his father until 
seventeen years old. He then began working 
out by the month at lumbering and farming, 
continuing thus employed for eight years. 
Having saved enough money to warrant him 
in establishing a household, he married, and, 
removing to Sullivan County, there rented a 
farm, which he carried on for one year. Mr. 
Holley then returned to Delaware County, 
and, purchasing a farm in Colchester, was for 
some time engaged in its management. He 
subsequently worked at the carpenter's trade 
for about seven years in Sullivan County. In 
1865 Mr. Holley bought the seventy-acre farm 
where he now resides, and has since dili- 
gently worked at its cultivation. In addition 
to general husbandry, he makes a good profit 
on his dairy, keeping about fourteen cows, 
and selling his milk at the creamery. 

The first marriage of James Holley was 
celebrated in 1850, when Lois H. Lindsley, 
a daughter of David Lindsley, an early pio- 
neer of Sullivan County, became his wife. 
She was a most amiable woman, and a devoted 
member of the Baptist church. She died in 
1854, leaving two children — a son named 
William and a daughter Matilda. William, 



who is a farmer in Tompkins, married Jane 
Hull. Matilda married William H.Wilson, 
a farmer in Colchester, the son of Ephraim 
Wilson, of that town; and they are the par- 
ents of six promising sons: Frank; Walter; 
James; Earl; and Sherman and Herman, 
twins. Mr. Holley subsequently married 
Elizabeth S. Moore, a native of Hilton, and 
a daughter of James and Betsey (Armstrong) 
Moore, who removed to Hamden from Hilton. 
Two children were born of this union, 
namely: Marshall, who assists his father on 
the farm; and Mary, who died at the age of 
thirteen months. In October, 1892, Death, 
who loves a shining mark, again crossed the 
threshold, bearing away the affectionate wife 
and tender mother. She was a sincere Chris- 
tian woman, and a valued member of the 
Methodist church. 

Mr. Holley, who is a true-hearted man, 
and an esteemed and worthy citizen, is a zeal- 
ous worker in the cause of temperance, being 
a stanch supporter of the Prohibition party. 
He has also been a member of the Baptist 
church for forty-five years. 




EBSTER M. BOUTON, Principal 
of the Bloomville Graded School, 
is a promising young man of supe- 
rior mental attainments, and during his pro- 
fessional career has given evidence of special 
aptitude for his chosen vocation. He is a 
native of Delaware County, Stamford having 
been the place of his birth, and June 23, 1871, 
the date thereof. He is the descendant of an 
ancient and respected family of this county, his 
paternal great-grandfather, Stephen Bouton, a 
native of Greene County, having been a soldier 
in the Revolutionary War, and subsequently 
a pioneer of the town of Roxbury. He was a 
farmer by occupation, and, settling in Rox- 
bury in 1780, resided there until his death, at 
the venerable age of ninety years. 

Anson Bouton, son of Stephen, was born in 
the town of Roxbury, and was bred to a 
farmer's life. He owned a good farm, and 
became one of the representative farmers of 
that vicinity, living there until his departure 
from earthly labors, when seventy-four years 
old. He married Elizabeth Craft, who died 



BIOGRAPHICAL RKVIEVV 



'S 



in the prime of life. Slie bore him six chil- 
dren, of whom the following three are yet liv- 
ing: Ann, the wife of Robert I'.arl, resitiing 
at Beaver Hill: Adelia, the wife of Cieorge 
Hookhout, living in Roxbury; and Henry C, 
living in Kortright. 

Henrv C. Houton was born May 2, i S44, in 
the town of Roxbury. Ho has devoted his 
entire life to farming, and is well known 
throughout this section of the county as a 
practical ami iirosperous agriculturist and an 
extensive landholder. His homestead in the 
town of Kortright contains three hundreil 
acres of choice land, and constitutes one of 
the finest farms in the locality. He was mar- 
ried in the town of Stamford, February 13, 
1868, to Hannah M. Haines, who was born in 
Jefferson, Schoharie County, in February, } 
1846. Both he and his wife are conscientious 
members of the Presbyterian church at Kort- 
right Centre; and in politics he is a firm su])- 
porter of the principles of the Republican 
party. He has served as Collectoi-, and in 
various town offices, and is in all respects one 
of the foremost citizens of his community. 
To him and his wife seven children have been 
born, as follows: Cora, the wife of George 
Parris, of Meredith: Charles E., of Pennsyl- 
vania; Webster M. : Frank H.: Anson S. ; 
Grace ]\I. ; and Carrie A. 

Webster M., the second son, who is the 
subject of this biographical notice, acquired 
the rudiments of his education in the district 
schools of Kortright, where he laid a substan- 
tial foundation for his present mental accjuire- 
ments. He afterward pursued his studies at 
Stamford Academy, making such good use of 
the opportunities afforded him that before six- 
teen years of age he passed a standing exami- 
nation for teaching. When seventeen years 
old, he assumed the duties of a pedagogue, his 
first school being in Hari)ersfield Centre: and 
from that time until the present he has con- 
tinued in this useful and pleasant occupation, 
enjoying a well-merited reputation as a teacher 
of more than ordinary ability and success. 
Mr. Bouton came to his present position in 
1893; and under his regime the Bloomville 
school maintains a high rank among the graded 
schools of Delaware County, its excellent con- 
dition reflecting great credit upon him, and 



upon his industrious pupils, and the intelli- 
gent iKirents of the district, who heartily 
co-ojjerate with him in his efforts for its im- 
provement. Religiously, Mr. Bouton is a 
valued member of the Presbyterian church; 
and, socially, he is a member of Delaware 
V'allcy Lodge, No. 612, Independent Order of 
Odd l'\llows, of Bloomville. Politically, he 
is a stanch Republican, taking an active in- 
terest in local and national affairs; and dur- 
ing the campaign of 1892 he delivered stirring 
and sound political addresses on the issues of 
the day throughout Delaware County. 




llCWIS BUSH, of Walton, is one of 
the veterans of tlie Grand Army of 
the Republic who still live to tell 
of hardships untlergonc and deeds 
of valor done in the most perilous period 
of our nation's history. Descended from 
good okl stock, he w\as bf)rn and bred on 
a farm, and early engaged in such studies and 
toils and pastimes as opportunity afforded or 
duty directed. His native place was in Rens- 
selaer County, New York, where he was born 
on June 12, 1843. His father, John Bush, 
was born in the same county on August 23, 
1807, and died at his home in Walton in 
1884. Mr. Bush"s grandfather was Daniel 
Bush, who also died in Walton, and whom 
many will still remember as having retained 
all his faculties to an extreme old age. The 
wife of Mr. John Bush was Mary Faunt, a na- 
tive of Hanulen; and she was the mother of 
nine children, six sons and three daughters, 
Lewis being the sixth child. He and his 
sister Margaret, wife of Asa Weldon, of Dry- 
den, Tompkins County, are the only survivors 
of tliis numerous family. 

Shortly after finishing his course of study 
in the district school, young Bush became in- 
terested in the questions that stirred the pub- 
lic mind, and, at the breaking out of the 
War of the Rebellion and the call to the 
front, was ready and willing to go. He en- 
listed from Walton in the One Hundred and 
I-'ortv-fourth New ^'ork \'olunteer Infantry. 
Company B. and served in the ranks for three 
vears, thus becoming accustomed to the haril- 
1 iest kind of life, and showing a most com- 



i6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



mendable bravery. For a long time the 
ravages of disease made it necessary for him 
to remain at Upton Hill, Fairfax -Seminary, 
where typhoid fever bereft him of much of the 
manly vigor of which he had always been 
proud. He experienced some of the worst 
horrors of the war; and, when honorably dis- 
charged at its close, he came home to the 
farm, thankful that his life had been spared. 

On the first day of the year i86g he was 
married to Elizabeth Cornwell, of Otsego 
County, who was the daughter of William and 
Fidelia (Worden) Cornwell. Mrs. Bush 
never knew her father, he having died before 
her birth. Her mother, however, lived to be 
sixty-eight years old, and died in 1882, hav- 
ing been twice married, and leaving nine 
children. Mrs. Bush has one own sister, 
Louisa, wife of Augustus Fuller, of Downs- 
ville, Delaware County,. Mr. and Mrs. Bush 
are without children of their own, but have an 
adopted son, Clarence K. Bush, a promising 
young man of twenty-one, now at Amherst 
College, who has already shown much intel- 
lectual ability. Mr. Bush is a member of 
General Marvin Post, No. 209, Grand Army 
of the Republic, of which he has been Junior 
Commander and Quartermaster Sergeant. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bush came to this village 
eleven years ago, and it is now three years 
since they purchased the property where they 
now live. They have remodelled the place 
so that their present home is a credit to them- 
selves and an ornament to the town. Here 
Mrs. Bush carries on the flourishing millinery 
business which she established eleven years 
ago, and in which she stands at the head of 
the trade in the town in the excellence and 
good taste of her work. 

The family are zealous and valued members 
of the Methodist church, being among the 
most earnest workers and liberal contributors 
toward completing the new house of worship 
and paying off the debt, all of which by eager 
and heroic effort they hope to accomplish be- 
fore the end of 1894. 

Mr. Bush is a Republican in politics, and 
has proved himself a faithful citizen, having 
quickly responded in the hour of his country's 
need, bravely venturing his life in its cause. 
Beginning early to make sacrifices, he has 



been always influenced by higii motives and 
aspirations; and he is to-day one of the men 
who are looked to with assurance for earnest 
help in works for the uplifting and advance- 
ment of humanity. 



/IV,, 



H.BERT T. SCOTT, M.D., a prac- 
\ •) I tising physician in East Davenport, 
was born March 30, 1854, in the 
town of Bovina, Delaware County, that town 
being likewise the birthplace of his father, 
James R. Scott. His grandfather, Adam 
Scott, was a native of Scotland, whence he 
came to America when a young man. He 
took up his abode in Bovina, where he devoted 
his time to the pioneer labor of clearing a 
farm. He had made excellent headway in his 
work, having redeemed a very good homestead 
from the wilderness, when he was accidentally 
killed by his horses running away and throw- 
ing him over a bridge. He married Nancy 
Russell, who survived him, and spent her last 
years on the old homestead. They reared 
eight children — James R., Henry, Frank, 
John, Nancy, Elizabeth, Mary, and Ellen. 

James, the eldest son, was brought up by an 
uncle, Andrew Hamilton, in Delhi, where at 
an early age he learned the carpenter's trade. 
He first located in Bovina. In 1861 he re- 
moved to the town of Andes, and thence went 
to New Kingston, where he departed this life 
at the age of sixty-five years. When a young 
man he was united in marriage with Mary 
Winter, who was born of Scotch parentage in 
Middletown. Her parents were pioneers of 
this county, settling in Middletown when the 
place was one vast forest, wherein wolves, 
panthers, and other wild beasts disported at 
will. During their first year's residence there 
they depended largely on the game they shot 
for meat; but each succeeding twelvemonth 
saw a few more acres of land under cultiva- 
tion, and in course of time they had a com- 
fortable homestead. They reared a large 
family of children — a full dozen. Of the 
union of James R. Scott and his wife eight 
children were born, as follows: James A., a 
carpenter, living in New Kingston; Thomas 
H., a farmer living in Walton; Gilbert T. ; 
Andrew H., deceased; Anna Bell, deceased; 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'7 



Mary Ellen, the wife of Jacob N. Thompson, 
a farmer, of New Kingston; Fanny, deceased, 
who married Oscar I'"aulkner, of Xew King- 
ston; and Elizabeth, who makes her home 
with her brother, the Doctor. The mother 
spent her last years in New Kingstcm, d\'ini;- 
at the age of threescore years. 

Gilbert T. Scott, having spent his early 
years in New Kingston, where his first les- 
sons were conned, subsec|uently attended the 
district schools of Midilletown and Andes, 
and was next enrolled as a stuilcnt at Stam- 
ford Seminary, and later at the Andes Col- 
legiate Institute, where he finished his 
preparation for college. Matriculating at 
Westminster College in Pennsylvania, he was 
there graduated, after a four years" course, 
with the degree of B.A. He first pursued the 
study of medicine with Ur. Alexander Allen, 
of Pittsburg, Pa., and afterward entered the 
medical department of the University of the 
City of New York, from which he received his 
diploma in 1884. Dr. Scott began the prac- 
tice of his profession in the town of Koxbury, 
where he remained three years, at the expira- 
tion of which period he came to Davenport, 
succeeding to the practice of Dr. James M. 
Donnelly. 

Dr. Scott was married in 1S85 to Miss 
Mary Birdsall, one of six children born to the 
Rev. Isaac and Isabella (Davidson) Birdsall, 
of New Kingston, where Mr. Birdsall is en- 
gaged as a local preacher of the Methodist 
denomination. Their happy wedded life was 
not of long duration; for on December 11, 
1893, Mrs. Scott jiassed to the spirit world, 
leaving one child, Clifton R. Scott. She 
was a woman of superior merit, possessing a 
deeply .sympathetic nature, excelling in the 
Christian virtues, and was an esteemed mem- 
ber of the United Presbyterian church, of 
which the Doctor is a Trustee. 




ILAS M. OLMSTI'.D, a i)ractical 
and progressive agriculturist of the 
town of Masonville, was born within 
its precincts, the date of his birth 
being August 8, 1843. His parents, John 
and Delilah (Tallman) Olmsted, were both 
natives of Greene County, New York, his 



father having been born I'cbruary 21, 181 1, 
and his mother October 13, 1822. His 
grandfather, Moses Olmsted, was a i)ionei'r of 
Greene County, and prominent among its 
early settlers. He was an enterprising man, 
full of life and activity, and was engaged as a 
contractor of public works, as a successful 
hotel-keeper, and as a ]iros[)erous farmer. He 
belonged to a loj'al arid ]iatriolic family, and 
one of his brothers served in the Revolution- 
ary War. Both he and his wife, whose 
maiden name was Cornelia Pitcher, died in 
(jreene County. They had a family of eight 
children, three of whom are now living, the 
family record l;eing as follows: Frederick, 
deceased; Wilbur, deceased; John, who re- 
sides in Bainbridge, Chenango County; Will- 
iam, deceased; Dorr, who lives in Greene 
County; Lany, deceased; Adaline, deceased; 
Emeline, the widow of Daniel Linon, resid- 
ing in Cireene County. Jedediah Tallman, 
his maternal grandfather, was born in the 
latter part of the eighteenth century, and died 
before 1830. But little of his life record has 
been preserved. His wife, Melinda Trip, 
was born in 1800, and died in (ireene County 
in the seventies. She was the mother of five 
children, four of whom are living, namely: 
Ursula, widow of ICzekiel I'alen, residing in 
Rome, Ga. ; Delilah, wife of John Olmsted, 
in Bainbridge, Chenango County, N.'\\; Ar- 
mida, deceased; Jeannette, widow of Lewis 
Hunt, in Ouaker Street, Schenectady; P'.lijah, 
in ( ireene C(iunt\'. 

John Olmstetl was rearetl and educated in 
Greene County, in early life turning his at- 
tention to agricultural pursuits. He made 
his first jnux-hase of laiul in Delaware County, 
coming to Masonville in 1841, crossing the 
intervening country with teams, and bringing 
with him his family and all their worUlly pos- 
sessions. Buying the land now ownctl and 
occupied by Jonas Finch, which was at that 
time heavily timbered, he erected a frame 
house that is still standing, and resided there 
for many years. He cleared much of the land, 
and, i)uying other tracts, was at one time the 
possessor of a farm of three hundred and forty 
acres. He was well known as one of the 
leading farmers of his locality, and during his 
residence in Masonville was numbered among 



i8 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



its influential citizens. Ho served his fellow- 
townsmen in various official capacities, hav- 
ing been Assessor three terms. Road Com- 
missioner, and the incumbent of several minor 
offices. In 1867 he and his wife moved to 
Bainbridge, where he bought the valuable 
farm of one hundred and forty acres, on which 
he .still lives, and carries on general farming. 
Although advanced in years, he and his wife 
are still vigorous both mentally and physi- 
cally, and hajjpy in the enjoyment of good 
health, l^olitically, he is a firm Republican, 
and in religious matters is liberal. Of the 
fourteen children born of their union nine are 
now living, as follows: Theodore and Silas 
M., both farmers in Masonville; Levi, a 
farmer in Sanford, Broome County; Adelbert 
H., a civil engineer, in Bloomfield, N.J.; 
Jonathan, living with his parents in Bain- 
bridge: Armida, who married Samuel Smith, 
living in Bainbridge; Arcella, the wife of 
Charles Osborne, living in Milford, Otsego 
County; Rueyette, wife of Elmer Ford, resid- 
ing in Batavia, N.Y.; and Josephine, the 
wife of Eugene Brightman, living in the vil- 
lage of Sidney. The names of the deceased 
are: Jeannette, who died at the age of sixteen 
years; Walter, who died at the age of five 
years; Elizabeth, who died when an infant; 
Adaline, who died at the age of twenty-five 
years; and Harriet, who died when an infant. 
Silas M. Olmsted obtained his early knowl- 
edge of book lore in the district schools of 
Masonville, and on the home farm early be- 
came initiated into the mysteries of agricult- 
ure, and remained at home, assisting in the 
management of the farm, until September i, 
1864, when he enlisted in the service of his 
country, as a private in Company B, One 
Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Volun- 
teer Militia, under the command of Captain 
M. W. Marvin, his term of enlistment being 
for one year, or until the close of the war. 
With his company Mr. Olmsted participated 
in several skirmishes and battles, among 
others being the battles at James Island and 
Honey Flill. While at the front he con- 
tracted a disease from which he has never 
fully recovered. On June 25, 1865, he re- 
ceived his honorable discharge, at Hilton 
Head, S.C. Returning to Delaware County, 



he resumed his former occupation in the place 
of his nativity, and subsequently bought one 
hundred acres of land in the town of Sidney, 
where he pursued farming initil 1873. He 
then disposed of his property there, and 
bought the farm of one hundred and ten acres 
on which he now resides, carrying on mixed 
husbandry with excellent pecuniary results. 
He has a choice dairy of fourteen cows, 
mostly native cattle. He thoroughl)' under- 
stands his work, and is acknowledged to be 
one of the most able and successful agricultur- 
ists in his locality. 

On May 15, 1867, Mr. Olmsted was united 
in marriage with Emma L. Sikes, a native of 
Connecticut, where she was born January 4, 
1846. Her parents, Thomas and Pamelia 
(Barnes) Sikes, both natives of the same 
State, removing to Delaware County in 1850, 
settled on a farm in Masonville, on which the 
father still lives. Mrs. Sikes departed this 
life in 1882. She bore her husband eight 
children, five of whom are living, namely: 
Henry W., of Pittsfield, Mass.; Mrs. Olm- 
sted; Sila, the wife of Rufus Randall, of 
Masonville; John, a farmer, of Masonville; 
Celestia, the wife of Nelson Wilcox, of 
Masonville. The names of the deceased are 
as follows: Julia, who died at the age of 
twenty-three years; Ellen, who died at the 
age of eleven years; and an infant. Mrs. 
Sikes was an esteemed member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church, while Mr. Sikes is lib- 
eral in his religious views. Politically, he is 
a straight Democrat. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Olmsted has 
been blessed by the birth of eight children, 
the following being their record: Ida, born 
April 4, 1868, is the wife of Frank Wright, 
of Oneonta. Walter J., born January 24, 
1 87 1, resides at home. Blanche, born Janu- 
ary 31, 1875, niarried George Reynolds, and 
resides at home. Janette, born January 11, 
1880, lives at home. Clara died at the age of 
six years, Leah died when ten months old, 
Iva died when a week old, and John died 
when two and one-half years of age. 

■• There is no flock, however watched and tended. 
But one dead lamb is there ; 
There is no fireside, liowsoe'er defended, 
But has one vacant chair.'' 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'9 



Mrs. Olmsted, a sincere ami Christian woman, 
is a devoted member of tlie Metlioilist Epis- 
copal church; and Mr. ()lmsted is quite lib- 
eral in his views on religion. In politics he 
affiliates with the Republican part)', support- 
ing its i>iinciples by voice antl vote. .So- 
cially, he is a member of Masonxille Lodge, 
No. 1 80, Grand Army of the Republic, of 
which he is Past Commander. 



^i:\'. RICHARD C. .SJ'.ARING, rec- 
^-^ tor of Christ ICpiscopal Cluu'ch at 
'o\ Waltiin. has been potent in elevat- 

^"^ ing the moral and religious status 
of this part of Delaware County, and in- 
fluential in forwariling its educational and 
literary interests. He was born April 13, 
185 I, in Saratoga .Springs, which was also the 
place of nativity of his father, William M. 
Searing. His grandfather, Richard Searing, 
was a pioneer of Saratoga County, whither he 
went from Hempstead, L.I., where he was 
reared and married. During the Revolution- 
ary War he was engaged as teamster, but also 
handled a musket to good purpose at the 
battle of Stony Point. Removing to Saratoga 
County, he purchased a tract of land which 
was still in its virgin wildness, and there en- 
gaged in general farming until his death. 
He was twice married ; his second wife, from 
whom the subject of this sketch is descended, 
was Hannah Stanley Marsh Searing, the 
daughter of .Samuel Stanley, and the widow of 
William Marsh. She bore him three chil- 
dren, namely: William M. : Sarah, the wife 
of J. IngersoU; and Hannah. 

VVilliam M. Searing was reared to agricult- 
ural pursuits on the home farm, assisting in 
its labors during the years of his boyhood and 
youth, but not neglecting his educational 
advantages. After mastering the common 
branches of learning, he taught school several 
terms with unciuestioned ability and success. 
Having a logical and analytical mind, with a 
taste for jurisprudence, he began the study of 
law in the office of William A. Beach in Sara- 
toga Springs, and subsequently entered upon 
the practice of his profession in that place. 
He has always taken an active interest in 
works of philanthropy and reform, ever being 



foremost in the cause of the o|)pressed, and 
was prominent among the rree-soiiers, who 
s])enl some time in Kansas in the stirririg 
periotl of its settlement. During the late 
Civil War he won a recortl as a brave man and 
a loyal officer, of which lie and his descendants 
may well be proud. He enlisted in the ser- 
vice of his C(nuitry in 1861 as Major of the 
Thirtieth New York X'olunteer Infantry, and 
for gallant conduct was promoted to the rank 
of Lieutenant Colonel, and subsecpiently was 
appointed Colonel of his regiment, serving as 
such until honorably discharged in 1863. He 
was an active participant in several heavy en- 
gagements, being at the second battle of l^ull 
Run, .\ntietam, P'redericksburg, Chancel lors- 
ville, antl others, and at one time having his 
horse shot from under him. Returning to Sara- 
toga Springs, he resumed his law practice, and 
is still an honored resident of that place, where 
he is filling the office of Pension Agent. 

He married Caroline M. Huling, daughter 
of Peekman and Maria (.Smith)' Huling, the 
former of whom was born in the town of 
Beekman, Dutchess County, .\.V., being the 
son of John Huling, a native of the same 
place and a pensioner of the Revolution. 
Jacob -Smith, the father of Maria Smith Hu- 
ling, was a resident of Kinilerhook, Columbia 
County, where the latter was born, December 
8, 1 799. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
William .Searing seven children were born, 
namely: Beekman; William, deceased ; Rich- 
ard C. : lulmund; Carrie; .Samuel, Chaplain 
(if Citv Institutions, Boston, Mass.; and Han- 
nah, deceased. Both parents are esteemed 
members of the Bethesda Church at Saratoga. 

Richard C. Searing, the subject of this 
brief biography, spent the first years of his 
life in the village of Saratoga Springs, ac<|uir- 
ing his elementary education in its district 
schools, wdiich was further advanced by attend- 
ance at the graded school. He went thence 
to St. Stephen's College at Annandale, N.V.. 
and was graduated from the Ceneral Theologi- 
cal .Seminary in New York City in 1877. 
His first pastoral work after graduation was at 
Walton, in the church where he is now offici- 
ating, of which he had charge until 1879, 
when [he accepted a call to Columbia, Pa. 
After remaining there three vears and eight 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



months, Mr. Searing spent a short time at 
Middle Haddam, Conn., and subsequently two 
years in VVillimantic and two years at Union- 
ville, in the same State. He next had charge 
of a church at Arlington, Vt., for nearly five 
years, and from that place returned to his 
first pastorate in July, 1893. Through his 
untiring efforts when at Arlington, the church 
at Sunderland was established. He is a man 
of great perseverance, and in his present re- 
sponsible position in the Master's vineyard is 
acquitting himself with the same fidelity to 
duty, and with the same lofty purpose, clear 
judgment, and tempered zeal which have ever 
been among his distinguishing characteristics. 
.Under his faithful ministrations many per- 
sons have been added to the different congre- 
gations under his charge, and he has made his 
influence felt for good in the community 
wherever he has resided. 

The marriage of Mr. Searing with Lizzie 
Chrisman Seeley, the daughter of Aaron C. 
and Caroline (Jennings) Seeley, of New Ca- 
naan, Conn., was solemnized on January 15, 
1880. Mr. and Mrs. Seeley removed from 
their New England home to the town of Wal- 
ton, and were numbered among its most 
valued citizens. They had four children — 
George C, Erastus C, Carrie C, and Lizzie 
C. Mr. Seeley died while yet a young man, 
at the age of twenty-nine years. Mrs. Seeley 
survived her husband until 1882, when she 
passed to the higher life at the age of fifty- 
three years. Roth were sincere communicants 
of the Episcopal church. After the death of 
her husband Mrs. Seeley, who was a woman 
of fine character and rare mental endowments, 
devoted herself with faithful solicitude to 
rearing her little family, who all continue to 
reside in Walton, and have become useful 
members of society, George being junior 
member of the firm of Fitch Brothers & See- 
ley, and Erastus member of the firm of Tobey 
& Seeley. 

Politically, the Rev. Mr. Searing is a 
Republican; and, socially, he is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity, having joined 
Walton Lodge, No. 559, in 1878. He is 
also a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to 
Adoniram Lodge, Royal Arch Masons, of 
Manchester, Vt. 




RED H. GRIEFIS, proprietor of the 
Edgerton House, the leading hotel of 
Delhi, has, by his ready tact and uni- 
form courtesy, made his well-managed estab- 
lishment, with its beautifully supplied table 
and its excellent service, one of the most at- 
tractive resorts for the travelling public that 
can be found within the limits of Delaware 
County, and has won for himself a far more 
than local reputation. He is a native of 
Delaware County, having made his first en- 
trance upon the stage of lite October 22, 
1S58, in the town of Hancock, where his 
father, Calvin B. Griffis, was then engaged in 
business. 

Calvin B. Griffis was born on the farm of 
his parents in Montrose, Susquehanna County, 
Pa., being one of a family of eight children, 
seven of them being boys; namely, Calvin, 
Abner, Milton, Austin, Elisha, John, and 
Jefferson. He remained on the paternal 
homestead until his freedom birthday, then 
purchased a farm and engaged in general agri- 
culture on his own account. Being an ener- 
getic, stirring man, with keen foresight, he 
saw the way to make money in the timbered 
region of New York State. Removing to 
Delaware County, he bought eleven hundred 
acres of wild land in the town of Hancock, 
giving twenty dollars and fifty cents per acre 
therefor. He erected a mill and began clear- 
ing off the timber, which he sawed and sold, 
being an extensive dealer in lumber for many 
years, and supplying the Erie Railway Com- 
pany with wood. With characteristic enter- 
])rise he purchasetl an interest in the stage 
line from Hancock to Delhi, and also one from 
Hancock to Downsville, that being prior to 
the time of railways. The business proved to 
be very remunerative, as many as one hundred 
passengers a day, at three dollars per fare, 
being sometimes conveyed between Hancock 
and Delhi. This was during war times, in 
1862 and 1863. 

Mr. Griffis also built a large store, in which 
he not only kept a complete assortment of dry 
goods, boots, shoes, and ready-made clothing, 
but ran an extensive flour and feed business, 
being one of the most successful general mer- 
chants of the place. All of these he con- 
ducted until 1872, when he purchased the 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Hancock House, the largest hotel in that 
town, and for five years thereafter managed it 
with eminent success. In 1877 he came to 
Delhi, and assumed the management of the 
li^dgerton House, which he carried on in the 
same prosperous manner until 1889, when he 
sold his interests to his son Fred, the subject 
of this sketch. Trevious to this time Calvin 
H. Griffis had bought what is now known as 
the Edgerton House farm, which he mn to 
supply the hotel, and which he continued to 
operate until March, 1893. He still leads an 
active life, paying personal attention to his 
many interests and superintending his farm in 
Hancock, which is one of the finest in the 
entire State. He married Jane M. \'aughn, a 
native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of 
one of its prosperous farmers. She has borne 
him four children, all sons, namely: I'^. 
Walker, who is retired from active life, and 
resides in Hancock: Olis C, proprietor of 
the Hancock House, which was formerly 
owned by his father; Charles H.; and Fred 
H. The mother is an active Christian 
woman, and a member of the Baptist church. 
Fred H., the youngest of the four boys, 
spent his early years in Hancock, being 
reared on the farm, and acquiring his educa- 
tion in the union scliool. After comideting 
his education, he came to Delhi, and began to 
assist his father in the hotel. ]?ecoming fully 
acquainted with the details of the business, in 
1888 he bought the hotel of his father, and in 
its subsequent management he has met with 
well-merited success. In 1892 Mr. C.riffis 
leased the Edgerton House farm, containing 
one hundred and seventy acres of land; and 
here he keeps a large number of cows, suj)ply- 
ing the hotel table with pure cream, undiluted 
milk, and fine butter, and cultivating the land 
for the raising of vegetables. From 1891 to 
1893 Mr. Grififis was also engaged in buying 
and selling horses, owning a large sale and 
exchange stable, in company with K. A. 
Young, and doing a lucrative business under 
the firm name of Grifiis & Young. On Janu- 
uarv I, 1893, he sold his interest in the 
.stable to his partner, and has since devoted 
his entire attention to his farm and hotel, tlie 
latter being in every respect the finest and 
best-equipped hotel in the county. 



In 1 88 1 Mr. Griffis led to the marriage 
altar Miss Anna L. Judson, a native of Delhi, 
daughter of Charles and Mary (Hergen) Jud- 
son, former proprietors of the American 
House, Mr. Judson being the worthy repre- 
sentative of one of the old and iionored fam- 
ilies of this part of Delaware County. One 
son, Calvin C. Grififis, has been born of tiieir 
union. Mr. Griffis, socially, is a leading 
member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging 
to Delhi Lodge, No. 439, A. !■'. & A. M., to 
Delaware Chapter, No. 249, and to .\orwich 
Commandery, No. 46. 




Il.LARD 11. FRISBI':i:. The farm 
of this gentleman, with its comfort- 
able residence and out-buildings 
and tlieir jdeasant surroundings, lies like a 
picture in the landscape of Delhi, and bears 
the appropriate name of " Maple Shade." 
The iiomestead was purchased by Mr. Frisbee 
from his father, Edward A., into whose pos- 
session it had come on the death of Daniel 
Frisbee, of whom he was the youngest son. 
It embraces two hundred and thirty-two 
acri's of land, which has been managed in 
the wisest manner, and has responded liber- 
ally in rich jiroducts to the hand of one of 
the most skilful agriculturists of Delaware 
County. In the prosecution of his labors Mr. 
Frisbee has availed himself of the experience 
of older men, and of the skill of the inventor, 
adapting his land to that branch of husban- 
dry which he deems most jirofitable, and using 
the most approved modern machinery. He 
is at present largely engaged in dairying and 
stock-raising, selling the milk from filty 
choice cows in the markets of New York, and 
owning a valuable lot of cattle and horses. 

Mr. h'risbee was born ApvW 9, 1858, on the 
homestead where he now resides; and this 
same farm was also the birthplace of his fatiier, 
lulward .\. Frisbee. His great-grandfather. 
Judge Gideon Frisbee, was one of the earliest 
settlers in this part of the State, where the 
name Frisbee has long been prominent. He 
was a New luigland man by birtli. Init mi- 
grated to this .State, and, after a short stay in 
Schoharie County, came thence t(j Delaware 
Countv. wlu-re he took up a timbered tract 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



lying in the town of Delhi, and in time estab- 
lished a good home for his family. He was 
a remarkably well-informed man, and was 
very influential in the management of impor- 
tant affairs. He had the honor of being ap- 
pointed the first Judge of this county, and in 
his house the first court was held. Of his 
large family of children none arc now living. 

Daniel Frisbee, son of Judge Frisbee, was 
born in New Canaan, Conn., went from there 
to Schoharie County, New York, with his 
parents and at the age of nine years came 
with them to this county- He was reared a 
farmer, and, when reaJy to begin his inde- 
pendent career, took up a timber tract of two 
hundred acres of land and proceeded to clear 
a farm. In the customary log house he and 
his young wife, whose maiden name was Ruth 
Beardsley, began their labors, mostly of a 
pioneer nature, experiencing many difficul- 
ties, but with a resolute spirit overcoming 
them all. Here they lived and toiled, and 
here this worthy couple passed to their final 
rest. The home which they reared in the 
wilderness came successively into the posses- 
sion of their son Edward and their grandson 
Willard, whose name heads this sketch. Mr. 
and Mrs. Daniel Frisbee were the parents of 
twelve children, of whom eleven grew to ma- 
turity; namely, Erastus, Huldah, Dalinda, 
Sally, Beardsley, Ruth, Gideon, Lydia, Dan- 
iel, Marilla, and Edward A. 

Edward A. Frisbee was the youngest mem- 
ber of the parental household, and his entire 
life was spent on the farm where he was born. 

Through the days of his boyhood and youth 
he attended school and assisted on the farm, 
acquiring a good common school education, 
and becoming well versed in the pursuit of 
agriculture. After the decease of his parents, 
he came into the possession of the old home- 
stead, and was for many years known as one 
of the best farmers in this region. He added 
many of the fine improvements of the place, 
building the present commodious residence 
and good barn and out-buildings. He de- 
parted this life on February 5, 1893, at the 
age of sixty-four years, leaving behind the 
blessed memory of a life well spent. On 
April II, 1855, he married Rosella D. Gra- 
ham, the daughter of Henry R. Graham, of 



Meredith. She passed to the better land 
April 6, 1888, at the age of fifty-tsvo years. 
They were the parents of two children — Wil- 
lard H. and Esther H. The latter is the wife 
of John D. Paine, a clerk in Graham's hard- 
ware store at Delhi. Both parents were con- 
scientious members of the Baptist church, in 
which Mr. Edward A. Frisbee served with 
fidelity as Trustee for many years. 

Willard H. Frisbee was reared upon the old 
homestead, receiving the rudiments of his 
education in the district school. Being a 
bright and ambitious boy, he was afterward 
sent to the Delaware Academy, thence to Col- 
gate Academy at Hamilton, where he pursued 
the classical course. Returning to the home 
of his youth, Mr. Frisbee engaged in farming, 
and in 1891 purchased from his father the old 
homestead, in whose management he is meet- 
ing with encouraging results. He is well 
known throughout this locality as an honest, 
upright man and a true and faithful citizen, and 
as the encourager and supporter of all enter- 
prises calculated to benefit the community. 

Mr. Frisbee was united in wedlock January 
3, 1883, to Miss Minnie E. Hoag, the descend- 
ant of an old and honored family of Delhi, 
being the daughter of Cyrus Hoag. Into 
their pleasant home five children have been 
born — Ralph H., Clarence E., Elmer G., 
Rosella B., and Wyatt C. Mr. Frisbee takes 
an active interest in the temperance cause, 
and casts his vote with the Prohibitionists. 
Religiously, he is a prominent member of the 
Baptist church, of which he is a Trustee. 



ISAAC WINANS. For more than a 
half-century Mr. Winans has been a 
resident of the town of Sidney, and 
during the time has established a good 
reputation as a man of industry, intelligence, 
and thrift. He was for many years an impor- 
tant factor in the industrial interests of the 
town, carrying on a successful business in the 
manufacture of boots and shoes. He is a na- 
tive of New York, born in the town of Una- 
dilla, Otsego County, March 14, 1822, being 
a son of Silas and Elizabeth (Smith) Winans. 
His paternal grandfather, Isaac Winans, Sr., 
who was born in Horse Neck, Dutchess 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Count)', Juno 26. 172S, was a veteran of llic 
Revolution; and after the close of tliat war he 
settled in Otsetjo County, beint;' one of the 
pioneers of Cnadilla. ile was a farmer by 
occupation, but not a land-owner, and, al- 
thouj;h making a comfortable li\ing, never 
accumulated much property. On Jul)' 21, 
1774, he was united in marriage to Sarah 
Holly, a native of Dutchess County, the date 
of her birth being December 12, 1743. Of 
their union se\en children were b<irn, all of 
whom grew to maturitx'; but none are now 
living. Grandfather W'inans was a man of 
profound con\'ictions in regard to the great 
truths of religion, liberal in liis views, and 
tolerant of the opinions of others. Init rather 
inclined toward the tenets of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, of which church his good 
wife was a consistent member. Huth spent 
the last years of their lives in the town of 
Unadilla, he passing away at the home of one 
of his daughters at a ripe old age. 

lulward .Smith, the maternal grandfather of 
Mr. Winans, was a nati\-e of England, where 
he spent the earlier years of his life. In 
1803 he emigrated to America, and, proceed- 
ing directly to Otsego County, settled in the 
town of Butternuts, where he bought a tract of 
land and engaged in farming. He died there 
on Eehruary 24, 1813, at the age of fifty- 
seven )'ears. On June 12, 1783, a score ot 
years prior to his emigration, he was married 
to Catherine Chapman, who accompanied him 
to his new home, and who survived him a few 
years, dying in Butternuts, May 27, 1818, 
when fifty-seven \ears old. They reared a 
family of eight children, but none are now- 
living. While in his native country, Mr. 
Smith, who had great mechanical ability, was 
engaged in the manufacture of buttons; and 
his grandson, Mr. Winans, has in his posses- 
sion a button made by him in 1770, which is 
of great value as a work of mechanical skill, 
being worth more than its weight in gold. It 
is as large as a silver dollar, and consists of 
seventy-two pieces of steel put together in an 
ingenious manner. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were 
people of great moral worth, and were highly 
respected. They were members of no relig- 
ious organization, but weie firm believers in 
the Univcrsalist faith. 



.Silas Winans, son of the elder Isaac, was 
born in Little Nine Partners, Dutchess 
County, May 13, 1785, and sjient the days of 
his bovhood and early manlu>od near the 
scenes of his birth, being reared to the occu- 
pation of a farmer. Subsequently removing 
to Otsego County, he bought a small farm in 
the town of Unadilla, and was for some years 
there engaged in agriculture. In 1839 he 
came to Delaware County, and, buying one 
hundred and si.xty-five acres of land near Sid- 
1 ney Centre, began the improvehient of a 
homesteail. He was a man of good intellect- 
ual capacity, fond of reading and study, but 
not a ver)' practical manager; and it was 
through the excellent judgment and business 
ability of his wife that his farming operations 
were ably carried on. He married IClizabeth 
.Smith, who was born in Leicestershire, ICng- 
land, August 29, 1794, a daughter of ICdward 
and C"atherine (^Chapman) Smith, above 
named. She proved herself a helpmate in 
every sense implied by the term; and both 
she and her husband spent their remaining 
\'ears in the town of .Sidney, she dying in 
May, 1 86 1, at the age of sixty-seven \'ears, 
and he in November, 1873, at the venerable 
age of eighty-eight years. They were re- 
spected for tlieir integrity and ui)right moral 
character: and, although not church members, 
he was a Univcrsalist in his religious views, 
and slie was a Methodist. To them were born 
ten children, seven sons and three daughters, 
of whom the following is a brief record: 
Catherine, born .Se])tember 23, 1820. is the 
widow of Joel Lee, ami resiles in Sidney 
Centre. Isaac is the one whose name heads 
the present sketch. Laura, l^orn in August, 

1824, married Chester Pomeroy, and died 
August 15, 1884. .Silas C born in Ma_\', 

1825. is a resident of P'ranklin. Eliza, born 
in August, 1827, dietl young. Cyrus W. was 
born in .Au-ust, 1829. Jose]ih. born in Octo- 
ber, 1831, was a physician in Linn County, 
Iowa, where his death occurred in March, 
1892. Henry IL. born in .Xugust, 1833, 
lives in .Sidney Centre with his sister, Mrs. 
Lee. -Samuel, born in August, 1836, was an 
able pinsician. and dietl in .Si(hiey Centre in 
1863. James, born on May 24, 1839, '^ '■^ 
farmer residing in Sidney Centre. 



24 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Isaac Winans, the eldest son of Silas, re- 
mained in the place of his nativity until 
seventeen years of age, and there received the 
rudiments of his education, which was com- 
|)lcted in Sidney Centre. He remained at 
home, assisting on the farm, until attaining 
his majority, when he started life for himself, 
beginning as a farm laborer, working during 
the summer months for nine dollars a month, 
and during the winter seasons working at the 
shoemaker's trade, which he learned after 
leaving home. In 1845 he established him- 
self in Sidney Centre as a manufacturer of 
boots and shoes, and was for thirty-six years 
prosperously engaged in that business. By 
steady application to his work and the exer- 
cise of sound judgment in his investments he 
has acquired a good property and a comfort- 
able home. Clinging to his early habits of 
industry and thrift, Mr. Winans still leads a 
life of activity, and realizes a handsome an- 
nual income from the sale of honey, keeping 
about fifty stands of black and Italian bees; 
and, in addition to this business, he also 
raises a good deal of poultry, his principal 
stock being brown leghorns. 

On the 3d of August, 1845, Mr. Winans 
was united in marriage to Rhobey Hunter, a 
native of Sharon, Vt., and a daughter of Dr. 
Ira and Rhobey (Spalding) Hunter. Rhobey 
Hunter Winans was born on January 26, 
1 8 16, and for several years was a successful 
school-teacher. She had an older brother, 
Philip S. Hunter, a clothier by trade, and two 
sisters: Thirza, who died when only two years 
old; and Louise, who died at sixty-six years 
of age. The "Review" is indebted to the 
practised pen of Mrs. Winans for further par- 
ticulars concerning her parents and interesting 
incidents in the lives of distant ancestral con- 
nections, which she has recorded as they were 
told her by her mtJther, and which show the 
heroic spirit that animated the pioneer men 
and women of the perilous times of old. 

Ira Hunter was born in Grantham, N.H., 
January lo, 1785, worked at shoemaking for 
several years, and then, under the instruction 
of Dr. Elias Frost, began the study and prac- 
tice of physic. In 181 2 he was married to 
Rliobey Spalding, daughter of Captain Philip 
and Thankful Waterman Spalding. In 181 7 



he bought a farm in Roxbury, Vt., where he 
settled with his family, as a farmer and phy- 
sician, remaining there until he came with 
them to Franklin, Delaware County, N.Y., in 
the year 1837. A few years later they re- 
moved to Sidney Centre, where Dr. Hunter 
died, November g, 1856, aged seventy-one 
years. He was a man of much talent and a 
skilful physician. He was a Republican in 
political principle, and a true patriot. Rho- 
bey (Spalding) Hunter, his wife, spent the 
remainder of her years with her daughter, 
Mrs. Winans, in Sidney Centre, and entered 
her rest in hope of a glorious resurrection, at 
the ripe age of ninety-one years. She was a 
woman of a sound mind, a Baptist, and much 
respected by all who knew her. 

Captain Philip Spalding, father of Rhobey 
Spalding Hunter, was born in Connecticut in 
November, 1755. He was a soldier in the 
War of the Revolution, and served as Captain 
under the command of General Washington. 
He was a tall, well-built man, of command- 
ing appearance, a wise counsellor, a good 
Christian, and a Baptist. He retained his 
mental faculties almost to the last; and, 
when his life work here was finished in his 
ninety-third year, he passed away so peace- 
fully it might be said of him, "Asleep in 
Jesus, oh, how sweetl" His wife, who died 
at sixty, was a Christian believer, a Baptist in 
sentiment, not a church member. Her name 
was Thankful (Waterman) Spalding. She 
had a brother in the Revolutionary War, 
whose name was William Waterman; and, at 
one time, while in a battle where the enemy 
were victorious, he was the last man on the 
field who turned to flee. In his flight, the 
"balls whizzed by his ears thick and fast," he 
used to say; and, as he leaped over a wall, a 
ball entered his hip. He fell, and, with 
many others, was taken prisoner; aiul with 
them he was stowed away in an old ship on 
the briny waters, three miles from any land. 
Many had the prison fever; and, to use his 
own expression, "they were dj'ing off like 
rotten sheep." He knew it was death to stay 
there, and how to escape was the question. 
They soon found a plug in an old gun-hole, 
which they worked at till they loosened it; 
and in the night they pulled it out, and three 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



2.S 



of them committed themselves to the merci- 
less waters, determined, if possible, to swim 
ashore. When they came to land, they found 
themselves in the midst of the enemy. Their 
only way of escape was to swim back to the 
ship, and take another course. They started 
for the ship, but he alone reached it. He 
then took another direction, and finally again 
reached the shore, so exhausted he could not 
stand u|), but crawled to a place where he was 
found and taken to the hospital. He shortly 
went home to his friends, where he lived to a 
good old age, and died in the Baptist faith in 
Christ. 

Another incident relates to the burning of 
Royalton, \'t., on October 16, 1780. Dr. Ira 
Hunter's father's name was William Hunter, 
and he had a sister who married a man by 
the name of Hendee. At the time of tliis Ind- 
ian raid Royalton had but few houses, and 
thev far between. The intent of the Indians 
was to kill every white man they found, so liie 
men fled for their lives. When the Indians 
iiad secured all the valuables they cared for, 
they set (ire to the houses, captured nine boys 
from nine to twelve years old, and left. 
Wheti Mrs. Hendee, who had been away, re- 
turned to her home and found what had been 
done, she took the Indian trail, ami went on, 
overtaking them just as they had crossed the 
river, a branch of the White, and entered 
their cam]i. She ]ilunged into the water, 
swimming where wading was impossible, 
reached the other side, and, braving the toma- 
hawk and the threatening aspect of the sav- 
ages, rushed into the camp, seized a boy, and 
bore him to the o]3posite shore. In like man- 
ner she took another and another, until eiglit 
were carried over. While taking the last 
one, her strengtli began to fail. An Indian, 
seeing this and admiring her Iieroism, 
said, "White woman brave; me help white 
woman,"' and, stejiping foward, kindly aided 
her across the river. He then left her 
and her boys, one of them being her own son, 
to go on their way rejoicing; while the Ind- 
i ms looked on with mingletl emotions of 
astonishment and admiration. 

Mr. and Mrs. Winans have no children of 
their own lixing, their only child, Herman 
Hunter W'inans, who was born August 29, 



1848, iiaving passed to the world beyond on 
December 29, 1861. They subsequently 
ado])ted a daughter, h'dith (i., who was born 
July 5, 1857, and, marrying James Voorhees, 
now resides in Brooklyn, N.Y. Mrs. Voor- 
hees's parents were Dwight and Louisa 
(Hunter) Manwarring, the former of whom was 
born in the State of Connecticut, and the 
latter in Vermont, the date of her birth being 
October 3, 1825. Mr. Manwarring is a 
wagon-maker by trade, and carried (jn his 
business in Sidney Centre for several years, 
but is now a resident of Iowa. Mrs. Man- 
warring, a sister of Mrs. Winans, was an ar- 
tist of much ability. She passed on to the 
higher life October 8, 1891, being then 
sixty-six years of age. She bore her husband 
three children, as follows: Ida, born Decem- 
ber 2 1 , 1855, a talented singer and a leading 
star on the stage; Mdith G., Mrs. Voorhees; 
L'rania Evelyn, born September 17, 1859, 
now residing in North Dakota. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Manwarring were members of the 
Baptist church. 

Mr. Winans is identified with the Repub- 
lican party in politics, and served for several 
years as Poor Master. Both he and his wife 
are held in high esteem throughout the com- 
munity, and are faithful members of the Bap- 
tist church, of which he is Treasurer, a 
position which he has filled acceptably for 
many years, besides lilling tiie oflfice of 
Trustee. 

The following poem, "In Memory of Our 
Early .Settlers," was written by Mrs. Edith 
G. Voorhees, of BrookKn, N.V., for the cen- 
tennial celebration at .Sidney Centre, and was 
there read on June 29, 1892: — 

l-'ar. far away llu- l)ieakeis moan ami fict 

U'liciL' islands of strange growth and licaulv rise. 
No giant folios formed these hinds, and vet. 

lieneath the azure arch of tropic skies. 
.\ wealth of waving palm-trees they u])l)ear. 

For .Nature's hand has given most lavishlv 
Of all her treasures, those most rich and rare. 

As though in triljute to the memor\ 
()f all the tiny lives built up in tliese 
fair, lonelv islands of the distant seas. 

Hut who shall say what years or ages long 

Passed liy, wliile, upward through tlie calmer .sea 

.And toward the light, the innumerable throng 
Of coral builders grew? .-Vt last tlie free. 



26 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Wild surface-waves were parted ; then the white. 

Still moonlight's radiaiue touched them, or there 
shone 
Upon each spray-crowned height the golden light 

Of tropic sun. The silent work went on, 
And life on life was builded; then a space 
Of ages, then the palm-trees waving grace. 

And we. to-dav. do hold in tender thought 

The lives on which our lives are safely built. 
Now. looking backward o'er what years have wrought. 

We lind this day has come to us all gilt 
And overlaid with golden memories. 

What though the hearts so filled with purpose true 
A century ago are still in this, 

Our own bright, peaceful age? What though the 
dew 
Of heaven has fallen for these many years 
On mounds where once fell bitter, farewell tears ? 

What though the toil-worn hands are folded there 

Beneath the grasses that grow lovingly 
O'er graves } Set free from all of pain and care. 

The earthly part rests on, while, full and free. 
The sunbeams come, or, dark athwart the cold. 

White stones, the shadows fall. But t)od is love ; 
And deathless souls, thank God, no grave can hold, 

No cold white stone keep watch and guard above. 
And still with us the deeds, the words, endure. 
Of those who gave this age its character. 

There may be those who. listening here to-day. 

Will find this scene grow dim. w'hile. in its place. 
The faces known amidst their childhood's play 

Will look on theirs with all the old-time grace. 
.\nd voices that they loved in years gone by 

Will sound again like music from the past. 
And mem'ries that all changing years defy 

.•\round the heart the old-time charm will cast; 
And who shall say, what childish prayer may be 
By aged lips repeated tremblingl)- ? 

But, some day, o//rs will be the faces seen' 

Through mists of years, while our own words and 
deeds 
Will have been built upon ; and then, serene. 

The sky will bend o'er work that thus succeeds 
Our own. Upon this age's higher plane 

Some build whose years will reach out fair into 
The grander century to be. These gain 

Its vantage ground, a greater breadth of view: 
Yet all foundation still must be the same. - 
Truth, justice, purity, and worthy aim. 

Behind these grand, old sheltering hills to-day. 

We pay this tribute to the hearts that gave 
To us our heritage. Thank (Jod, we say. 

That life's true worth and best results no grave 
Can hide ! And on those lives of theirs we build 

Our own. So. upward, until Time shall cease. 
New heights shall rise, and all shall be fulfilled 

When He whose wondrous birth-song was of Peace, 
Whose life was Love, the finished work shall bless, 
And so, in blessing, grant it perfectness. 



TTAHARLES L. LYON, who is actively 
I V-' engaged in agricultural pursuits in 
^Is^^ his native town of Masonville, has 
by energetic diligence, good judg- 
ment, and wise economy made a success in 
his chosen vocation, and is numbered among 
the faithful citizens of his neighborhood. He 
first drew the breath of life on April 27, 
1845, and is a son of the late Richard and 
Mahala (Burdick) Lyon, the former of whom 
was born in Bainbridge, and the latter in 
Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather, 
William Lyon, was a pioneer farmer of Bain- 
bridge, and there passed the declining years 
of a life long devoted to useful industry. 

Richard Lyon, son of William, was reared 
and married in Bainbridge, removing from 
there to Delaware Coimty in 1842, and set- 
tling in Masonville. He bought the farm 
where his son Charles now resides, and which 
was then but a dense stretch of woods. He 
and his brother, Caleb Lyon, and a brother- 
in-law, Randolph Burdick, came here at the 
same time, and bought in partnership a tract 
of two hundred acres of wild land. Game was 
still abundant in this vicinity, deer being fre- 
quently seen. Mr. Lyon erected a house and 
cleared a large portion of his land before his 
death, his toilsome labors meeting with a 
deserved reward. He died on the homestead 
which he had redeemed from the wilderness, 
in 1869, at the age of si.xty-four years. His 
faithful wife and helpmeet lived until 1886, 
passing away in that year, at the age of 
seventy-one years. She was an intelligent, 
energetic woman, and a strong L^niversalist in 
her religious faith. Her husband was a de- 
voted member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and politically he was a Republican. 
They reared a family of five sons and three 
daughters, as follows: Wilfred lives in Wis- 
consin. James is a resident of East Mason- 
ville. Charles, of Masonville, is our subject. 
Ambrose lives in Norwich. Sally A. Ran- 
dall resides in Oneonta. Emily Ramsdell 
lives in Masonville. Julia died at the age of 
three years. Arad died at the age of twenty- 
two years, while serving in the late Civil 
War as a member of the Fifth New York 
Heavy Artillery. 

Charles I^. Lyon grew to manhood on the 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



27 



old home farm, acquiring his education in tiie 
public schools of the nt'ighborhootl, anil as- 
sisting in tile care of the farm until twenty- 
two years old, when he started out to win a 
living for himself. His first venture was 
made in the lumber regions of Wisconsin, 
where he remained two years, going thence to 
Nebraska. The following year he was em- 
ployed by the Turlington Railway Comjiany, 
and subsecjuently took u]) a homestead claim 
in that State; biit, not being able to get his 
money from the railway company, he was 
com[)elled to give up his land. From there 
he went to Hannibal, Mo., and for four years 
was engaged in burning lime. In 1876 Mr. 
Lyon returned to Masonville, and was for 
some time thereafter employed in working out 
by the month at anything he could find to do. 
In 1879 he bought the paiental homestead, 
and from that time took care of liis mother 
until her death. His farm contains seventy- 
six acres of fertile land, in a good state of 
cultivation; and iiere he carries on general 
farming and dair\ing, milking nine cows, 
and also pays some attention to the raising of 
sheep, keeping from eighteen to twenty head 
of Shropshire Downs. 

Mr. Lyon was married December 13, 1887, 
to Mary Rhinehart, a native of Germany, 
where she was born September 12, 1854, 
being a daughter of John A. and Barbara 
Rhinehart, both of whom are tleceased. Mrs. 
Lyon came to America in 1872, making the 
long journey unaccompaiiietl by friends. She 
is the mother of four children, nameh': her 
eldest, IClsie; and three who ha\'e been born 
of her union with Mr. Lyon, their names 
being Bertha, Ralph, ami Frank. She is a 
member of the Haptist church, and a faithful 
worker in that denomination; while Mr. Lyon 
is liberal in his religion. Politically, he is a 
sound Rejiublican, sustaining the principles 
of that party at the jiolls. 



.APTAIX JOSHUA K. HOOD, of 
'.-V til,- firm mI" Hood & Douglas, proprie- 




I the hrm or 

is tors of the largest general store in 

Delhi, is one of the leading busi- 
ness men of Delaware County. He was a dis- 
tinguished officer in the late war, in which he 



rendered the government valuable service; 
and he has been no less consi^icuous in civil 
life. He is a native of the Prairie State, 
born in Oakdale, Washington County, Sep- 
tember I, 1843, being a son of John and 
Rachel Kennedy Hood. 

John Hood was born in .South Carolina, 
probably of Scotch ancestry, and was there 
reared to agricultural ])ursuits. Being a 
strong Abolitionist, and in active sympathy 
with the anti-slavery mo\ement, life in the 
South was not as pleasant for him as it might 
have been; and he moved to Illinois, becom- 
ing a pioneer of Washington County. Buy- 
ing a tract of raw prairie land, he erected a 
log cabin, and began the improvement and 
cultivation of his farm. He was very suc- 
cessful in his efforts, and added to his origi- 
nal purchase until lie had three hundred acres 
of well-tilled land, on which he erected a good 
set of farm buildings, and a fine brick resi- 
dence in place of the humble cabin of logs. 
Oti that homestead he spent the remainder of 
his years, passing away in 1861. He was 
twice married. After the death of his first 
wife, who bore him two children, he married 
Rachel Kennedy, a native of Greencastle, Pa., 
but afterward a resident of Illinois, to which 
.State she remo\'ed when she was a young girl. 
.She reared five children, of whom only two 
are now living; namely, Joshua Kennedy and 
Archie. The latter, who served three years 
in the late Rebellion, in the Tenth Missouri 
\'olunteer Infantry, is now a wholesale mer- 
chant in Ct)lumbus, Kan. The others were 
James, Mary, ami John C. The mother was 
an exemplary Christian woman, and a member 
of the Reformed Presbyterian church, as was 
also her husband. She was called from life 
in the midst of her usefulness, dying on the 
Illinois liomestead when but fort\-two years 
old. 

When only six years of age, Joshua, the 
subject of this sketch, had the misfortune to 
be left motherless. He remained with his 
father until about fifteen years old, and in the 
mean time attended the district school' and 
the .Sparta Lnion Acailemy. Coming east- 
ward to Pennsyhania, he entered the Fa)ette- 
ville Academy, where he ]iursued his studies 
until aroused by the tocsin of war which re- 



28 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



sounded through the land. He was then a 
member of the senior class in the academy; 
but, prompted by patriotic zeal, he responded 
to the first call for volunteers, enlisting as a 
private in Company K, One Hundred and 
Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infan- 
try. After serving for nine months, he re-en- 
listed for six months in Company K, Twenty- 
first Pennsylvania Cavalry, as a Sergeant of 
the company. At the expiration of his term 
of enlistment, he again enlisted in Company 
G of the same regiment. While serving with 
the nine months" men, he participated in the 
battles of Bull Run, Antictam, and Fred- 
ericksburg, receiving a severe wound in the 
last engagement by the explosion of a shell. 
During his second term of service he took an 
active part in many heavy engagements; and 
during his last he fought bravely for his coun- 
try in the battles of Cold Harbor, Petersburg, 
Appomattox, and also at the battle of the 
Wilderness, his regiment being connected 
with the Army of the Potomac. For bravery 
and heroic conduct he was promoted, going 
through the various ranks, and serving until 
the close of the war. He was discharged July 
1 8, 1865, at Lynchburg, Va. 

Upon his return to the duties of civil life, 
Captain Hood went to New York City, and 
was for a time employed by Foster Brothers 
on Broadway, remaining with them until his 
health broke down, when he came to Bovina, 
Delaware County, to recuperate. In 1866 he 
formed a partnership with T. Hastings, of 
that place, and opened a general store. Two 
years later he bought out the interest of Mr. 
Hastings, and continued the business alone 
for a year. Then, selling, he went to Andes, 
where he bought out the business of Connor & 
Glending, and, after managing it alone for a 
year, admitted Mr. Dunn as a jjartner. They 
subsequently purchased another store in 
Shavertown, and soon afterward took one of 
their clerks, J. W. Dixon, into the firm. At 
the end of the next two years the Captain 
became the sole proprietor of the store, which 
he conducted for a while, subsequently selling 
out to Mr. Dixon, his former partner; and, 
leaving Andes, he came to Delhi. In the fall 
of 1882 Captain Hood purchased the interest 
of one of the brothers Bell & Bell, in their 



extensive establishment, and nine months 
later bought out the other, for a time carrying 
it on in his own name. In February, 1893, 
John A. Douglas became associated with him; 
and the firm has since carried on a thriving 
and lucrative business under the name of 
Hood & Douglas. 

The union of Captain Hood and Mrs. Mary 
E. Norris, a native of New York City, but 
later a resident of Andes, was solemnized 
December i8, 1875. Into their happy home 
three children have been born; but their only 
son, John K., died at the tender age of four 
years. The daughters, Mary B. and Florence 
Irene, are both students at the Delhi 
Academy. 

Politically, Captain Hood has always been 
a stanch Republican, and a man of influence 
in the party, having served as a member of 
the Republican County Committee for nine 
years, for the last three of which he has been 
its Chairman. He is ever interested in local 
matters, and while in Andes served as Presi- 
dent of the village. He has also belonged to 
the fire department, serving faithfully in the 
ranks, and being promoted to the position of 
Chief. He cast his first Presidential vote 
while in the army for Abraham Lincoln. 
Captain Hood is very prominent in Grand 
Army of the Republic circles, having been 
one of the founders of the organization. He 
belongs to England Post of Delhi, of which 
he was formerly Commander, and was one of 
the members of the department staff. As a 
member of the national staff, he served as one 
of the Council of Administration of the De- 
partment of the State of New York. In 1889 
he was elected to the position of Senior Vice- 
Commander in this State, which is next to the 
highest office. He has been urged for the 
position of Department Commander, and has 
been several times delegate to State and na- 
tional encampments, being one of the best 
known men in the Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic. He was elected delegate to the national 
encampment at Indianapolis, receiving the 
highest number of votes of any delegate on 
the national ticket. He was elected County 
Clerk of Delaware County, December 6, 1894, 
on the Republican ticket, receiving three 
thousand one hundred and five majority over 




James S. Kerr. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



31 



his competitor, tiio largest majority any can- 
didate ever received in Delaware County. 
Religiously, Ca|)tain Ilootl and his wife are 
valued members of the Presbyterian ciuirch, 
with wiiich he has been connected for tweiity- 
se\en jears. 



§AMKS S. KICRR. Along Beatty 
Hrook Valley, in the town of South 
Kortright, is a valuable tract of a 
thousand acres with a good residence 
owned by the gentleman whose name stands at 
the head of this sketch, who is the largest 
dairy farmer of Delaware County. His cows, 
betw(.'en two and three hundred, supply the 
Sheffield Farms Company with over two thou- 
sand ([uarts daily of milk nearly always above 
the legally required standard gratle, yielding 
nearlv five per cent, of butter fat. This pros- 
]3erous and progressive farmer axoids labor 
complications by employing P(dish hands, in 
sufficient numbers to keep each other con- 
tented, and free from the homesickness almost 
inevitable to strangers in a strange land. He 
finds them competent, quick to learn, trust- 
worthy, and systematic, though often lacking 
in prior agricultural experience. In addition 
to his extensive farm work he is a stock- 
raiser, and has a stone quarry, from which 
good flagstones are cut. 

Like most men who are worth anything in 
the world's growth, Mr. Kerr is interested in 
procuring facts which throw any light upon 
his family history. He is a grandson of Rob- 
ert Kerr, who was a farmer in County Mon- 
oghan, Ireland, but came to this country in 
180T with his family, and bought the Kort- 
right farm, where he lived till his death, 
many years later. He was undoubtedly of 
Scotch descent. 

Robert Kerr's .son Henry, the father of the 
subject of this sketch, died February 20, 
1864, seventy-five years of age, having been 
born in 1789. His birthplace was not in 
America, however, but in the old country. 
He was brought hither by his parents when a 
dozen years old, and they worked on the farm 
now carried on by William Briggs. Henry 
Kerr learned the blacksmith's trade, which 
he followed for a ciuarter-centurv ; but he also 



bouglit forty acres of land, to which he added 
from time to time, rising in fortune by the 
ladder of hard work, till he owned the two 
hundred and eighteen acres now belonging to 
his son, James -S. Kerr. He was a member of 
the I'nited I'resbyterian Society in South 
Kortright, and used to go regularly to meet- 
ing when stoves were considered needless 
luxuries, not conducive to "pure and undc- 
filed religion," and the meeting-house was 
constructed of rough shb boards. His wife, 
Mary Anne Keator, who was a descendant on 
the jjaternal side of the noted Sands family of 
I'jigland, died twelve years before her hus- 
band, in 1S52, aged sixty-two, having been 
born only a year later than he, in 1790, 
in Marbletown, Ulster County, N.Y. This 
Christian couple had only four children, three 
of whom are now living. Mary Kerr, the eld- 
est, is the wife of Robert S. Orr, of Kort- 
right. Her sister Jane died in the midst of 
her career as a school-teacher. Matthew H. 
Kerr resides with his brother, James S., on 
the big farm, portion whereof was first put 
under cultivation by their industrious and re- 
spected father. 

James S. Kerr was born in 1834: his birth- 
place was the town of Kortright. on the very 
estate now his exclusive property. Besides 
attending the district school, he went to the 
Delaware Literary Institute and to Delhi 
Academy, where he received a good education 
for his position and generation. Thereafter 
he li\-ed at home, and cared for his father, his 
mother dying before he reached his nineteenth 
birthdav. To equal his honored father in 
agriculture, and excel him if possible, was 
James's great ambition; and this end he has 
fully achieved. As already implied, of the 
thousand acres luider I\Ir. Kerr's control, over 
three hundred are his own exclusive property. 
In 1893 he shipped over thirteen thousand 
cans of milk to market. lie gives employ- 
ment to a score of men or more in the busy 
season, and his buildings are all in fine 
condition. 

lames S. Kerr did not marry early in life. 
In fact, it was not until September 14. i S69, 
when he was thirty-five years old, that he took 
to himself as wife EflFie Scott, who was born 
across the water on Februarv 12, 1838. Her 



32 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



birthplace was on the noted East Boonrovv 
tarm, which was in the family for over two 
hundred years. Her parents were George and 
Mary (Thompson) Scott; but she was soon 
bereft of her father, who died on the ocean 
when Effie was but a child. Only one son 
has resulted from this marriage, M. Henry 
Kerr, named for his grandfather, and born on 
May 14, 1872. He was a graduate of Delhi 
Academy in 1894. They lost one child, 
Katie J. Kerr, who died on April 4, 1894, in 
the very flower of her youth, at the age of 
twenty. Mrs. Kerr belongs to the Presbyte- 
rian church in Kortright. Mr. Kerr in poli- 
tics is a Democrat. As an upright and 
reliable man. intelligent and affable, he has 
been a Justice of Peace since 1866, besides 
being one of the Supervisors seven years. 

An excellent likeness of Mr. Kerr appropri- 
ately graces this portrait gallery of Delaware 
Count\- worthies. 




(^JENRV LITTEBRANT, who is num- 
bered among the enterprising agri- 
culturists of Delaware County, owns 
a well - cultivated and productive 
farm of eighty-four acres in the town of 
Masonville. The larger part of the improve- 
ments are the work of his own hands, and re- 
flect on him great credit, his buildings being 
of a handsome and substantial character and 
well adapted to the purposes for which they 
are used. He carries on general farming in a 
skilful manner, giving considerable attention 
to dairying, keeping fifteen head of cattle. 
Mr. Littebrant was born in Schoharie County, 
New York, October 28, 1834, being a son of 
Adam Edward and Christian (Getter) Litte- 
brant, both natives of the same county. 

His grandfather I.ittebrant was one of the 
early settlers of Schoharie County, and died 
there at a good old age. Stephen G. Getter, 
his maternal grandfather, who was born in 
Germany, emigrated to America when a young 
man, and became one of the pioneers of 
Schoharie County, where he lived for some 
time, but subsequently removed to Delaware 
County, settling in the town of Masonville. 
He engaged in farming in his new home, con- 
tinuing to reside here until his death, which 



occurred in 1858, at the age of eighty-three 
years. 

Adam E. Littebrant lived in the county of 
his nativity until after his marriage, removing 
to Masonville in 1835. His first purchase of 
land here consisted of eighty acres, on which 
he resided a few years. Then, disposing of 
that, he bought the farm where his son Henry 
now lives. The original tract contained fifty 
acres of heavily timbered land, very little of 
it being cleared. He began its improvement, 
but was erelong overtaken by death, passing 
from the scenes of his earthly labors in 1844, 
when only thirty-eight years of age. He was 
a hard-working man, a true Christian, and an 
active member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. His early loss was deeply deplored 
throughout the community. His estimable 
wife survived him many years, dying in 1885, 
at the age of eighty years. Of the eight chil- 
dren born to them the following is a record : 
Aurilla, the wife of Cornelius Cornell, re- 
sides in Unadilla, Otsego County. Mary, 
the wife of Horace Benedict, lives in Michi- 
gan. Joseph, a volunteer of the late war, 
died while in service, his death occurring in 
Tennessee, when he was about thirty years of 
age. Henry lives in Masonville. George 
died at the age of fifty-five years. Elizabeth, 
the wife of James Blincoe, is a resident of 
Masonville. Jane French died at the age of 
twenty-one years. Hannah, who married 
Herbert Frazier, resides in Michigan. 

Henry Littebrant was an infant when his 
parents came to this county; and he grew to 
manhood in Masonville, receiving his educa- 
tion in its public schools. When nine years 
of age, he removed with the family to the 
homestead where he has since resided, after 
the death of his father assisting in its devel- 
opment and improvement, and finally, buying 
out the interest of the other heirs, becoming 
its owner. His mother remained with him, 
tenderly cared for in her last years, until 
called to meet the loved ones on the farther 
shore. Mr. Littebrant served during the War 
of the Rebellion, enlisting as a bugler, Sep- 
tember 2, 1863, in Company H, First New 
York Veteran Cavalry, under the command of 
Captain Allen Banks. He was subsequently 
taken sick, and was transferred to a brass 



BIOGRArHICAT, REVIFAV 



.i3 



band. IK' was lionoral)ly discharscil and 
nuistcrod out of service at I'rcdcriok City, 
Md., on June 6, 1865. Resuming his duties 
as a jirivate citizen, Mr. Littebrant has since 
resided on his farm and devoteii iiis entire 
attention, with marked success, to its niana;;e- 
nient. He occupies a good position in the 
community as an honorable and upright citi- 
zen, and possesses the confidence and esteem 
of his fellow-townsmen. He has never mar- 
ried. He is libeial in his religious views, 
and socially is a member of the (irand .Army 
of the Republic, belonging to Masonville 
Post, No. 180. 




MMETT (). COAN is extensively en- 
gaged in farming, dairying, and stock- 
growing in the town of Kortright, 
where he has a valuable farm of two hunilred 
and fourteen acres under a high state of cult- 
ure, with substantial and convenient build- 
ings, and all the accessories of a model 
homestead. He is the worthy descenilant ot 
one of the early-established families of the 
town of Kortright, where his birth occurred 
August 10, 1850. His i)arents, Orrin and 
Elvira (Burdick) Coan. were also natives of 
the same place; and here his grandfather, 
Miller Coan, was one of the original settlers. 
He was a native of Dutchess County; and, 
coming here when the country was new, he 
bought a farm near Hloomville, and in the 
course of years by dint of energetic toil, long 
continued, cleared a good homestead, living 
upon it until his form was bent by the weight 
of more than fourscore years. In [lolilics he 
was a sound Democrat, and in his religious 
beliefs quite liberal. 

Orrin Coan spent his entire life, a long and 
active one of eighty-two years, in the place ol 
his birth. Following in the footsteps of his 
father, he became interested in agricultural 
pursuits, and, buying a farm of one hundred 
acres in Kortright, abided thereon until liis 
death, successfully engaged in its cultivation. 
His wife survived him, and still lives on the 
homestead, where they passed so many years 
of wedded happiness. Eight children were 
born into their household, of whom the fol- 
lowing five are now living: Paulina A. Dean; 



Mary Scott, of Walton; I.eroy J.; lunmell 
O. ; and Fanny L. Paulina A., I.eroy J., 
and Fannv I., reside on the home farm. 

in the (lavs of his youth lunmetl O. Coan 
attended the district school of his neighbor- 
hood, and under the instruction of his father 
acquired a practical knowledge of the art ot 
agriculture. On attaining his majority, he 
began life on his own account as a farmer. 
In his business affairs he has met with pros- 
l)erity, and is now classed among the most 
thriving and progressive farmers of Delaware 
County. In 1891 Mr. Coan Ijmight the farm 
where" he now lives: and, under his close 
application to work, and through his judicious 
management, it has become one of the most 
attractive estates in the vicinity. He devotes 
much attention to the rearing of tine stock, 
and his dairy contains twenty-nine head of 
choice cows. 

Mr. Coan was united in marriage in 1891 
to Addie M. Boyd, a native of Bovina Centre; 
and one son, Charlie, has come to brighten 
their household. By his sterling traits of 
character and straiglitforward business ways 
Mr. Coan has fully established himself in the 
esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens 
and associates. In politics he is an ardent 
Republican, and in religion he is liberal in 
his views. His worthy wife is a consistent 
member of the Presbvterian church. 



E)\\1X TAYLOR, son of William and 
Anna (Dewey) Taylor, was born on 
™-^ March 15,' 1830, in Franklin, Dela- 
ware County, N.V., where he still makes his 
summer home, although he is now a resident 
of Binghamton. His father, who came here 
from Mas.sachusetts in the early part of the 
present century, was a cloth-dresser by trade, 
but chiefly followed farming. He bought the 
first settled farm in the town of Franklin, and 
resided thereon over seventy years, dying in 
1880 at the great age of ninety-seven. He 
was a representative man of his day, was 
highlv respected by his neighbors and a wide 
circle of friends, and held several town oflfices. 
His intelligence was of superior order, and 
his character above reproach. In religious 
matters he was connected with the Baptist 



34 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



church, which he helped to support to the 
extent of his means, his Christianity being of 
that practical kind that is manifested in daily 
life and in contact with one's fellow-men 
rather than in empty professions. His wife, 
formerly Miss Anna Dewey, was born in 
Springfield, Mass., and came to Delaware 
County, New York, with her parents while 
young. 

Edwin, the subject of this brief narration, 
was brought up on his father's farm, and laid 
the foundation of his education in the public 
schools, afterward attending the Delaware 
Literary Institute at Franklin. Having fin- 
ished his course as a student in the classes, 
he continued his career in the public schools 
by beginning at eighteen years of age the 
work of teaching, in which he was engaged 
during six winter terms. Meanwhile, in the 
warmer seasons he took up farming, which 
remained his principal occupation for several 
years. He also devoted considerable time to 
handling butter and farm produce, which he 
shipped to Eastern markets. His ability as 
a man of affairs was recognized by his fellow- 
townsmcm ; and he was chosen to serve as Dep- 
uty Sheriff and Road Commissioner, and was 
also Collector for his town for two years. 

In 1872 he went to Binghamton, N.Y., and 
engaged in the produce business, which at 
first he conducted by himself, but afterward 
was associated with Mr. A. H. Leet, under 
the firm name of Leet & Taylor. A year and 
a half later this connection was dissolved; 
and Mr. Taylor then went into partnership 
with Mr. North, the firm being known as 
North & Taylor, wholesale provision dealers. 
Their store was on State Street. A year after 
this Mr. Taylor established the firm of Saun- 
ders & Taylor, the first prominent house in 
Binghamton to handle dressed meats. They 
built a fine refrigerator, or cold storage build- 
ing, on Prospect Street, near the Erie Rail- 
road. After doing a large business for four 
years, Mr. Taylor sold out, in 1887, to Mr. 
Saunders, and in the same year formed a con- 
nection with Messrs. Shaw and Eitapene in 
the provision and wholesale grocery business, 
at 132-134 State Street, under the firm name 
of Taylor, Shaw & Co. Later the firm became 
Taylor & Niven, occupying the same floor as 



wholesale dealers in provisions, especially 
flour, of which they made a specialty. They 
have a large outside trade, and employ several 
commercial travellers, their trade in flour 
being larger than that of any other firm in the 
city. Their business increased so rapidly 
that they were soon obliged to double their 
floor capacity. Mr. Taylor's business expe- 
rience in Binghamton covered a period of 
twenty years. It is Mr. Taylor's custom to 
spend a few months each year upon his large 
farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres, 
which is run as a dairy farm, in Franklin, 
Delaware County. 

Mr. Taylor's marriage occurred June g, 
1852, when he was united to Miss Delila 
Taylor, daughter of Oliver Taylor, of Sidney, 
N.Y. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor attend the First 
Presbyterian Church of Binghamton, of which 
Mr. Taylor is a member; and it is not too 
much to say that their influence is ever cheer- 
fully exerted on behalf of every worthy cause, 
and that they are ready at all times to aid in 
furtherance of the public good. They occupy 
an important place in their community, and 
enjoy the general respect and good will. Mr. 
Taylor, like his father before him, was for- 
merly a Whig. He has been a strong Repub- 
lican since the organization of that party. 
He served as Alderman for four years, and is 
now serving his fourth term as Supervisor, a 
fact which shows the estimation in which he 
is held by his fellow-citizens. A well-in- 
formed, thoughtful man, of quick, clear per- 
ceptions and sound judgment, he possesses 
superior business abilities; and, being public- 
spirited, he is one to whom his neighbors 
gladly intrust the management of matters of 
general concern. 



§OSHUA BEERS, proprietor of an ex- 
cellent farm situated on the river road 
about three miles from the village of 
Walton, is numbered among the suc- 
cessful grain and stock growers of Delaware 
County. His land, one of the most fertile 
tracts in this region, has been brought to a 
good state of cultivation; and the homestead 
is particularly noticeable on account of the 
fine set of frame buildings and their jreneral 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



3S 



air of comfort ami jjlciity. 'Sir. Ik-crs is a na- 
tive of this town, having been born February 
1, 1S19, on the homestead property of liis 
father, Benjamin, and his grandlatlier, 
Iqihraim Beers, a farm about two Tniles i)elow 
his present residence. 

Ephraim Ikers was a Connecticut man by 
birth, but after his marriage came to Delaware 
County, following a path marked by blazed 
trees, and was among the very first to settle in 
this section of the county. He found the 
land a wilderness, and, like all the idoiieers, 
was called upon to undergo the harilshijis and 
privations consequent upon life on the Iron- 
tier. He was a blacksmith by trade, and con- 
tinued that occupation, in connection with 
farming, after coming here. He took up a 
tract of land, the one previously mentioned, 
and cleared a homestead, on which he passed 
the remainder of his years. He and his wife 
reared thirteen children. 

Benjamin Beers, son of Ephraim, was born 
on the parental homestead, and, as soon as okl 
enough to wield the sjjade and hoe, began to 
assist his father in tilling the soil, from that 
time being engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
After the death of his father he took posses- 
sion of the home farm, which he carried on 
successfully until his death, at the age of 
sixty-four years. The maiden name of his 
wife was Polly Alverson. She was a native 
of Nova Scotia, and a daughter of Jeremiah 
Alverson. Six children were born of their 
union, as follows: William; Joshua; l^zra; 
Maria, wdio married Charles Buckbee ; Allen; 
and Antoinette. The mother outlived her 
husband, and died on the old homestead at the 
age of seventy-two years. They were people 
of sterling worth, and Mrs. Beers was a con- 
sistent member of the Free Will Baptist 
church. 

Joshua, the second son of Benjamin antl 
Polly Beers, was reared as a farmer, and as- 
sisted his parents in the management and care 
of the old homestead until twenty-nine years 
old. Then, having saved some money, and 
being desirous of enjoying life under his own 
vine and fig-tree, he bought the farm on 
wdiich he now resides, and energetically began 
its improvement. It had been partly cleared; 
and he has since placed it all in a condition 



for pasturage or tillage, and erected a com- 
fortable set of farm buildings. He is thus 
now, in the sunset of life, enabled to enjoy 
the fruits of his earlier years of toil and 
denial. 

In 1.S4.S Mr. Jk'crs was united in marriage 
to .Sarah 1'.. Buckbee, the daughter of l-'/.ekie] 
and Ruth Buckbee, well-known members of 
the farming community of Walton. To glad- 
den their hearts anil brighten their home came 
fi\-e children, whose record is as follows; 
Willis, who married Maggie Telford, of Wal- 
ton, the daughter of William and I.sabella 
(Ruby) Telford, who are of .Scotch descent; 
Orrin, now deceased; luiiily, who became the 
wife of Albert Barlow, both she and the one 
child born of their union now deceased; 
IClsie; Ira, who married l-'lsie Howard, the 
daughter of Charles and Juliet (Seward) 
Howard. Mrs. Beers, who was an active 
member of the P'piscopal church, departed 
this ■ life in the summer of iS.S.S. The 
daughter belongs to the same religious de- 
nomination that her mother did, and in her 
daily life exemi)liftes its excellent teachings. 
Politically, Mr. Beers and his sons are stanch 
Democrats, and steadily uphold the principles 
of that party. 




RNOI.D S. CARROI.E, an enterpris- 
ing hanlware merchant of the village 
of Hobart, dealing e\tensi\-ely in 
shelf hardware, stoves, ranges, fur- 
naces, and plumbing materials, is also an im- 
portant factor in the agricultural community, 
owning a snug farm of ninet\--six acres on 
Rose Brook. He is a native of Delaware 
County, having been born on December 16, 
[853, in Roxbury. That town was also the 
birtliplace of his parents, Samuel B. and 
Elsie (Travis) Carroll, the former of whom 
was born on August 21, 1829, and the latter, 
December 3, 1833. 

Enos Carroll was one of the early settlers 
of Roxbury, and w\as born in the year 1798. 
He was a man of unlimited energy, coura- 
geous and ambitious, and during the many 
years of his residence in Roxbury was engaged 
in tilling the soil, being well known as one of 
its most ])rosperous agriculturists. Having 



36 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



accomplished a life's work, he quietly closed 
his eyes on earthly scenes, December ii, 
1874. Politically, he was a Jeffcrsonian Dem- 
ocrat, and ill his religious views a decided 
I^aplist. He married Anna Stratton, a native 
of Roxbury, whose birth was on November 7, 
1 801. She bore him six children, five of 
whom j:;rew to maiurity. The three now liv- 
ing are Angeline Hill and John S. Carroll, 
of Roxbury, and Mrs. Sarah Barlow, of Ho- 
bart. Mrs. Abbie Squares and Samuel ]?. 
Carroll are deceased. 

Samuel B. Carroll, son of Enos, grew to 
man's estate in the town of Roxbury, and, 
giving his attention from his youth to farm- 
ing, succeeded his father in the ownership of 
the old homestead, which he conducted in a 
most successful maimer. Besides adding es- 
sential improvements, he bought adjacent 
land, becoming the possessor of one of the 
largest and most valuable pieces of property 
in the vicinity. He was noted for his enter- 
prise and progress, and was an authority in 
matters pertaining to agriculture. He spent 
the major part of his life on the old home 
farm, having moved into the village of Rox- 
bury but one month prior to his decease, 
which occurred January 26, 1884, after an 
active life of fifty-four years. His widow 
survived him, and is living in their village 
home. She is a worthy member of the Bap- 
tist church, and he was also a believer in the 
doctrines there taught. In politics he was a 
strong Democrat. They reared four children, 
as follows: Arnold S. ; Adelbert E., a lawyer 
in New York City; Annie S. ; and Abbie S. 

Arnold S., the elder of the two sons of Sam- 
uel B. and Elsie Carroll, spent his early years 
in Roxbury, acquiring his elementary educa- 
tion in the district school, which was further 
advanced by an academical course. He re- 
mained at home, assisting on the farm, until 
1878, when he purchased an estate of two 
hundred and thirty-three acres on Rose Brook, 
in the town of Stamford. For nine years he 
put in practice the knowledge that he had 
acquired on the jjarental homestead, and car- 
ried on a thriving business in general farming 
and dairying. Disposing then of that farm, 
he bought another, a smaller one, also on 
Rose Brook, which he still owns. It contains 



ninety-six acres of very fertile and productive 
land, well adapted for general farming pur- 
poses. Being a wide-awake, alert young man, 
with a keen eye for business, Mr. Carroll took 
advantage of the opportunity for buying the 
hardware store of Charles P. Foot, which was 
offered him in 18S8, and has since been ]inimi- 
nently identifietl with the mercantile interests 
of Hobart. His large stock of goods is valued 
I at about three thousand five hundred dollars. 
I On May 2, 1877, Mr. Carroll was united in 
; marriage with P^lla Kaltenbeck, who was born 
{ in Delaware County, in the town of Roxbury, 
May 3, 1857, being a daughter of Fred and 
Lucy Kaltenbeck. Her father, who in his 
earlier years was a shoemaker, is now a 
farmer in Roxbury, where the death of Mrs. 
Kaltenbeck occurred some years since. On 
January 29, 1879, was born the only child of 
Mr. and Mrs. Carroll, who is named Isaac S. 
Carroll. In politics Mr. Carroll uniformly 
casts his vote with the Democratic party, and 
has served satisfactorily as Assessor three 
years, and is now filling his third term as 
Town Clerk, having recently been elected to 
the office for a term of two years. He is lib- 
eral in his religious views, and his wife is a 
conscientious member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. 



I LIT AM ANDREWS. Who in the 
town of Walton, Delaware County, 
N.Y., is not familiar with the 
pleasant face, gray head, and wrinkled brow 
of "Uncle Billy," as Mr. William Andrews 
is affectionately called by old and young? 
Everybody knows him and loves him — facts 
not to be wondered at, considering that he is 
the oldest inhabitant of the place, having been 
born here on April 20, iSoi, and connected 
with all the interests of the town and its resi- 
dents ever since that early date. 

His father was William Andrews, Sr., of 
Shrewsbury, Conn., who was born in 1764, 
and when a young man removed to Dutchess 
County, New York. Here he married Han- 
nah Burrhus, a daughter of Silas Burrhus, 
who died at sea, and was buried on a distant 

i island, his widow afterward marrying Dr. 

; Payne and removing to Dutchess County. 




BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



37 



After bur\ itii; one child in Uutchoss County, 
Mr. and Mrs. William Andrews, -Sr., in 1793 
emigrated, with their three remaining chil- 
dren, to Delaware County, and here occu[)ied 
an old log cabin which had been deserted b\- 
some former sojourner in the wilderness. 
Clearing awa\' the forests, they tilled the soil 
and cultivated their farm, which was situated 
between the tracts now kmiwn as the Mc(jih- 
bon farms. 

Thev were the ]iarents of twelve children, 
of whom William, Jr., is the only survivor. 
A daughter Lucy, wife of George Simmons, 
died in Indiana, an octogenarian. Burrhus 
was sixty years old at his death, Thomas was 
over eighty, and Sallie lived to be about sixty 
years old. In the little burial-ground on the 
old farm, which remained in the possession of 
the family until forty years ago, rests in peace 
all that is earthly of those worthy pioneers, 
who labored with undaunted courage and pa- 
tience, bearing cheerfully all hardships, and 
founded a home for the generations to come. 
Mr. Andrews was a lover of sport and a fa- 
mous hunter, being an adept with fire-arms, 
and, though at times nervous and tremulous, 
never missing his aim. His brother. John 
Andrews, attained a celebrity throughout the 
country, being hung near Seneca Lake for a 
crime of which he was innocent, as was after- 
ward proved by the confession of the real 
culprit. 

William Andrews, Jr., the subject of this 
sketch, was born ninety-three years ago at 
Eastbrook, five miles from the village of Wal- 
ton. On :\[arch <S, 1837, at Unadilla, N.^'.. 
he married Miss Amanda Rumse\', who was 
then in her twenty-fourth year. She was the 
daughter of Ebenezer S. and Chloe (DuBois) 
Rumsey. Her father, a native of Dutchess 
County, learned the trade of blacksmith of his 
stalwart sire, who was a German, and who 
lived and died in Colchester. The parents of 
Mrs. Andrews moved to Walton in 1829, and 
later lived in Steuben County, and finally re- 
moved to De Kalb County, Illinois, where the 
father died in 1851. His widow then made 
her home with her son, Elnathan Rumsey, in 
St. Clair County, Michigan, where she after- 
ward died in 1872, at the age of seventy-si.x 
years, having been the mother of twenty chil- 



dren, of whom eighteen grew to nialuriiv. 
Amanda Rumsey was the eldest of this large 
family, and was born on July 7, 1S13. Iler 
brotliers and sisters who are still living are 
the following: Afary .Ann, a maiden lady of 
Kansas, born in 1819; .Annis, born in 1S22; 
h'.dwartl, born December 9, 1S32; Rachel, 
widow of John Herrald, of Hinghamton, who 
was born .Xugust 13, 1823; Margaret, widow 
of Elisha Wallen, of Pennsylvania, born I'^eb- 
ruary 19, 1828; Ebenezer S., of Iowa, burn 
.August 30, 1829; James H., whfi now lives 
in the .South, ami was born January 24, 1831 ; 
Martha, wife of Amasa Fox, of Chetopa, 
Kan., born March 11, 1834; Henry H., of 
New York, who was born on October 22, 
1840. One sister, Almina, l)orn December 2, 
1843, wife of Clarke Burzett, died December 
28, 1892, the ninther of eighteen children. 

Mr. and Mrs. Andrews mourn the loss of 
two children: an infant; and a daughter fifty- 
one \ears of age, Mary I'". Andrews, who died 
October 10, 1889. The latter was a teacher 
in Walton for man\' years, and, although she 
had never attended any but a district school, 
])roved to be remarkably successful in her 
vocation. .She was the possessor of many ac- 
com]ilishments, among which jiainting in oils 
held a ])r(>minent jjlace. The following are 
the surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. An- 
drews: Charles, who livi^s in Elmira, is mar- 
ried, and is the father (.f one son and one 
daughter; I'errv, a conti'actor in .Atlanta, 
Ga. ; -Sarah, now the wife of Robert Mcl.aury, 
and who is the mother of one daughter and 
one son b\' her former husband, Edwin Frost; 
, lulward R., who resides in Walton at 28 
Union .Street, and with whom his aged \y,\v- 
ents now make their home. 

Edward R. .Andrews was married in 1890 
to Annabel le Fravor, who was born in 1871, 
the ilaughter of .Alonzo and Ella (House) 
Fra\or, farmers of Oswego County. .She is 
the eldest of a family of four: three girls, 
Annahelle, Myra, and Alwillda: and one boy, 
Charles -all of whom live at home and are 
unmarried except Annal)elle. Mr. and .Mrs. 
E. R. Andrews have one child, a fine boy. 
Perry W., who was born on November 14, 
1891, in Ohio, where Mr. .Andrews was em- 
plo)etl in drilling oil and gas wells. 



38 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



In politics "Uncle Billy" was a Democrat 
before the war, but now votes always with the 
Republican party. He is a truly old-fash- 
ioned Methodist, loving the old hymns, and 
singing them even now in a strong, clear 
voice. Time, of course, has left its stamp 
upon his brow, and his hearing is somewhat 
impaired; but his heart is yet young, and he 
holds his place among his family and friends 
with a dignity and grace well becoming a man 
of his age and long experience. Mrs. Amanda 
K. Williams, though several years her hus- 
band's junior, is in her eighty-second year, 
but still possesses all her faculties as per- 
fectly as she did twenty years ago. 

"Uncle Billy" and his wife have liv^^d to- 
gether for fifty-seven years, a faithful, loving 
couple, whom all esteem and revere; and they 
are now drifting hand in hand toward that 
shining shore where there is no more parting. 
What a record is his of long years of useful 
labor, nearly a century of manly, honest 
livinsr! 




1-",XRY LEAL was born on January 9, 
1855, on the farm on which he now 
resides, in the town of Meredith. 
His family is of excellent Scotch 
ancestry, and was first represented on Ameri- 
can soil during the later years of last century 
by his great-grandfather, Alexander Leal, who 
was born in Scotland, and there reared to 
farming pursuits. Emigrating when a young 
man to the United States, Alexander settled 
in the town of Kortright in this county, 
where he cleared a good farm, and in the 
course of time had it comparatively well im- 
])roved ; and there he lived and lalDored until 
gathered to his final rest. His wife was born 
of Scotch parents in the town of Stamford; 
and she, too, spent her last years on the old 
homestead, which is now owned by one of her 
grandchildren, the house, built probably in 
1800, still standing. They reared five chil- 
dren, all boys; namely, John, Hugh, Alex- 
ander, Jr., James, and Clark. 

John Leal, the eldest son of Alexander, was 
born in Kortright. near the centre, and lived 
on the parental homestead, on which he did 
much pioneer labor, until attaining his free- 



dom. He then removed to Stamford, where 
he carried on a farm for three years, going 
from there to Delhi, and entering the employ- 
ment of the old ex-Sheriff, Robert Leal, with 
whom he remained four years. He then 
bought the land on Catskill turnpike, near 
East Meredith, on which his grandson Henry 
now lives, and, erecting a log house, at once 
began the establishment of a homestead. The 
land was then in its primitive condition, pre- 
senting a spectacle sufficiently wild and deso- 
late to discourage any one less daring and 
hopeful than the pioneers of that early day. 
He labored with diligence and energy, and in 
due time had cleared a good farm and erected 
frame buildings, among others being a sub- 
stantial dwelling-house, which he built in 
1838, and which remains in a comparatively 
good state of preservation. Here he spent 
the latter part of his life, and died at the age 
of eighty-six years. His faithful wife, who 
had courageously shared his trials and priva- 
tions, also resided here until her death, at the 
age of seventy-five years. Both were consist- 
ent members of the United Presbyterian 
church, of which he was a Trustee. The 
maiden name of his wife was Martha Mc- 
Lawry. She was a daughter of Thomas Mc- 
Lawry, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere 
in this volume. She bore her husband five 
children: namely, Nancy, Lydia A., Mary, 
John R., and Alexander T. John R. served 
during the late war as a Surgeon in the One 
Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Volun- 
teer Infantry, and from the effects of the hard- 
ships and exposures which he then endured he 
lost his life. 

Alexander T. Leal, the youngest child of 
John Leal, was born on July 29, 1815, in the 
town of Kortright, and was very young when 
he came with them to the farm in Meredith, 
where he has since resided. After the death 
of his father, he continued the work already 
begun, and has brought the one hundred and 
seventy acres of productive land to a fine con- 
dition, and has erected a handsome house, 
the estate now ranking as one of the most val- 
uable in the locality. He engaged in general 
farming and dairying, keeping about twenty 
cows, and sending the products of his dairy to 
the New York and local markets. In 1846 he 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



39 



nKuried Mar<;aret Hell, a native of Ilarpers- 
tioltl, being one ol eight children born to 
James and Isabella 15ell, well-known members 
of the agricultural communit)' of Ilarpersfield. 
Of this ]ileasant union were born the follow- 
ing children: John, who was graduated from 
Yale College, is a teacher of prominence in 
Plainfield, where he prepares young men for 
college. Mary I. is the wife of James Smith, 
a farmer of Davenport Centre. Henry is the 
subject of this sketch. James, deceased, mar- 
ried Jennie Hamilton; and they reared one 
child, Aggie. Hugh, a banker in Nebraska, 
married Jeanelte (iale. Joseph, the youngest, 
in early manhood fell a \'ictim to consump- 
tion. He spent four or five years in I)en\er 
and other places in Colorado and Western 
Kansas, vainly seeking relief from lung- 
trouble. At length, realizing that his days 
on earth were numbered, his only desire was 
to reach home as soon as possible. With the 
consent of physicians, he started at midnight 
on a through train; but at nine o'clock the 
next morning he had come to the end of life's 
journey, dying in the arms of his brother. A 
few days after, his mortal remains were gentl\' 
laid to rest in the cemetery at Delhi. Mrs. 
Margaret 1>. Leal, the mother of these chil- 
dren, died in April, 1888, leaving behind her 
a memory which will ever be cherished with 
love and reverence. She was a devoted mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian chui-ch, in which her 
husband served as Elder for man)- )-ears. In 
politics Mr. Alexantier T. Leal is a stanch 
Republican. 

His second son, Henry Leal, received a 
good common-school education, and is num- 
bered among the most enterprising agri- 
culturists of Meretlith. The place formerly 
consisted of two huntlred and forty acres, but 
in the past few years has been sold down to 
its present size, the remainder being so im- 
proved by drainage and otherwise as to double 
its capacity. The work still goes on: tor, as 
the owner well says, "There are many im- 
provements Net to be matle on this farni." 
When the place came into his hands, the 
stock consisted of twent\--five head; to-day 
the barns contain fifty cattle. The large barn 
now standing was built in the fall of 1889, to 
replace the one burned in October, 188S; and 



the ])resent stock has been gotten together 
since that date. The business is strictly 
dairying, and a cream separator has been used 
the past season. Mr. Leal has been twice 
married. The maiden name of his first wife 
was Joanna Miirdock. She was a native of 
Kortright, being the daughter of J. L. .Miir- 
dock, a well-known farmer of that town. .She 
died in 1884, leaving him with two children 
— Clara Belle and Joanna. Mr. Leal married 
for his second wife Miss Mary K. l-'ehrensen, 
of Hamden. This union has ix-en blessed by 
the birth of three children — lulward, Lthel, 
and William. Politically, Mr. Leal alfiliates 
with the Re|)ublican ])arty; and religiously he 
is a worthy mend)er (if the Presbyterian 
church, ot which he was a Trustee for many 
\-ears, anil in which he is now an Llder. 




armv 



<RV A. COMBS, one of the lead- 
ng merchants of Hamden, was born 
in this town in 1839, and is proud 
to trace his ancestry to an ICnglish 
jfficer of Revolutionary times. His 
great-grandfather, John Combs, who was born 
in Devonshire, l{ngland, in the middle of the 
eighteenth ceiitur\-, while yet a youth joinetl 
the Lnglish army, and was sent to .-Xmerica to 
fight against the ]jatriots of the new country. 
Here he i-emained, aiid after a while com- 
pletely lost sight of his parents and ;dl their 
kindretl in the old liome. He married in 
Connecticut, and became the lather of six 
chiklren, namely: I'olly, born in I "82, who 
became the wife of Herman Baer; John, Jr., 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, born 
in 1784; .Seth, born in 1786; .'\nson, born in 
1790; Jose]')h, born in 1794; b.lecta, born in 
1798. All these children married and lived 
to old age, although the race is now nearly 
e.vtinct. 

John Combs, Jr., married Catherine Bri- 
sack, of Connecticut, and in 1805 settled on 
land adjoining his father's farm in Hamden. 
This land was still new, and coxered with 
pine timber, which was the stajile product of 
this region. Together ihev cleared some 
three inmdrod acres of good t.irm land; and 
here John died in 1864. and was buried beside 
his parents in the old famil\- cenieter)-. He 



40 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



had two daughters and two sons. One of 
these was Daniel Combs, who died in 1870, 
and whose daughter, Mrs. Augusta Rush, is 
the only surviving member of his family. 

William E. Combs, the other son of John, 
and father of the present storekeeper of Ham- 
den, was born on April 6, 18 13. He was 
reared on the farm where his parents first set- 
tled, and in his young days helped to clear its 
broad acres. He attended the district school 
in the log school-house, and supplemented 
this limited education by the broader experi- 
ence of a busy life. In his twenty-second year 
he married Louise Canfield, of Connecticut, 
who died at their farm, a mile below the vil- 
lage, March 11, 1885. She was the mother 
of three sons: Henry A. Combs, born in 
March, 1839; George, who died at the age of 
one year; Marshall E., born in 1852, well 
known in this vicinity as Matt Combs. 
William E. Combs sold his river farm of one 
hundred and thirty acres in 18S8, and moved 
to Hamden to be with his sons. He still 
owns a hill farm of some one hundred and 
seventy-five acres, in which he takes great de- 
light. In 1 841 Mr. Combs voted for William 
Henry Harrison, and half a century later for 
his grandson, Benjamin, first in his success- 
ful and again in his unsuccessful Presidential 
campaign. He belongs to no society or 
church. 

Henry A. Combs acquired his earl}' educa- 
tion at the district school, and pursued his 
advanced studies at the Delaware Literary 
Institute. He began mercantile life in 1S67 
in company with his uncle, Daniel S. Combs; 
and when, after five years, his uncle's health 
failed, Mr. Combs continued the business for 
a while, and then was joined by his brother 
Marshall, who had been a clerk with him 
since 1878. They now carry on a leading 
trade in general merchandise, and supply goods 
to a large section of territory. In the winter 
of 1869 Mr. Combs married Mary Robinson, 
daughter of Francis Robinson. Mrs. Combs's 
mother, whose maiden name was Barlow, died 
in the prime of life, leaving this one daughter 
and a son Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Combs have 
one son, George K. Combs, a young man of 
twenty-one years, who is with his father in 
the store. 



Mr. Combs is a stanch Republican in poli- 
tics, and is now serving his seventh year as 
Supervisor of the town. He is a very ca- 
pable man of affairs, and under his skilful 
management his business has rapidly grown 
to wide dimensions. He has in all his under- 
takings cast lustre on a name already claim- 
ing for its own an unsullied reputation. 



DOUGLAS BURNS, one of the self- 
made men and well-to-do farmers of 
the town of Bovina, is actively 
engaged in general agricultural pur- 
suits, and operates a large dairy, keeping 
from twenty to twenty-five head of graded 
Jersey cattle, and milking about eighteen 
cows, his sales of butter for the past three 
years averaging two hundred and seventy-five 
pounds each year. He is a native of Bovina, 
and was born August 9, 1858, of Irish and 
Scotch antecedents. 

His paternal grandfather, Moses Burns, was 
born in Ireland, anil, after coming to this 
country, was married to Catherine St. Clair, 
a native of Orange County, New York, and 
the daughter of John St. Clair, who emigrated 
here from Scotland. After his arrival in this 
State, Moses Burns settled in Bovina, in 
1802, and here bought a farm, on which a log- 
house and small clearings constituted the only 
improvements. The country was then in its 
primitive wildness; but, laboring with ener- 
getic perseverance, he reclaimed a large por- 
tion of it, although he was called from the 
scenes of this earth when a young man, hav- 
ing received injuries while assisting in the 
erection of the first frame house built in Bo- 
vina, from the effects of which he died, being 
then but thirty years old. He was the owner 
of one hundred and five acres of land, which 
he carried on in an able manner. He was a 
Federalist in politics, and he and his good 
wife were esteemed members of the Presbyte- 
rian church of South Kortright. They had a 
family of five children, of whom John Burns, 
the father of the subject of this sketch, and 
his sister Elizabeth, who resides in Brod- 
head. Wis., being the wiiiow of James 
Kirkpatrick, are the only ones now living. 
John Burns was born in Bovina, March 7, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



4' 



1S07, on the farm whorr lio now resides, ami 
received his education in tiic district school 
known as the Ma)nard Scliool. Durinj;- tiie 
early years of his life mnch of the pioneer 
labor of clearing awa\- the forests devolved 
upon him. the idd homestead of his parents 
being at that time heavily timbered. Game 
abounded: and he remembers once chasing a 
wolf, although he was not fortunate enough to 
kill it. He was reared to farming ]iursuils 
and to habits ol industry and honestv, and has 
followed agriculture the whole of his life. In 
April, 1S32, he was united in marriage with 
Nancy Ormiston, a lu^tive of Bovina; anti 
they began housekeeping on the parental 
homestead, which he had jireviously bought. 
He carried on a thriving business in general 
agriculture and dairying, and in course of time 
added to the original acreage of the place, and 
now has a fine farm of one hundred and fiftv- 
five acres. His im])ic)\cmenls lune been of 
an e.Ncellent character, his residence being 
substantial and comfortable, and the necessary 
farm buildings convenient anil commodious. 
He has been a hard-working man, and, al- 
though now cripi^led b\' rheumatism, is enjoy- 
ing life, surrounded by hosts of friends and 
neighbors, of whose respect and gootl will he 
is assured. ]5oth he and his wife, who 
crossed the river of death Noveiuber 6, 1877. 
in the sixty-fourth year of her age. were mem- 
bers of the United Presbyterian church at P)o- 
vina Centre, with which he is still cnnnected. 
In politics he was a Whig until the abandon- 
ment of that |)arty and the formation of the 
Republican, when he joined the latter, and 
has since been one of its most faithful adhe- 
rents. He has always taken an active part in 
local affairs, and has ser\ed as Highway Com- 
missioner and Assessor, besides filling various 
minor offices. His family circle inchuled 
seven children, of whom five are now living, 
the record being as follows: Moses K., born 
August 18, 1833, is a farmer in Brodhead, 
Wis. William, born November 28, 1834, 
is engaged in farming in Delhi. James, born 
January 6, 1845. is a farmer, living in Mere- 
dith Hollow. Alexander, born December 8, 
1848. resides on the old homestead. J. 
Douglas lives in Bovina. Janette, born Se])- 
tember 3, 1839, married Francis C. Arm- 



strong, iind died February 15, 1885. John 
C, born August 2, 1841, enlisted during the 
late Kebellion in Company li, ( )ne Hundred 
and hdrly-fourth New \'ork Volunteer Inf.in- 
tr\', and was killed while in service in 1863. 

J. Douglas Burns has been a life-long resi- 
dent of Bo\ina, gleaning his education in its 
jiublic schools, and growing to man's estate 
within its [irecincts. When starting in life 
for himstdf, he began as a farm laborer at fif- 
teen dollars a month. Being jirudent ami 
economical, he saved money, and in 1880 
bought the farm where he now resides, con- 
taining one hundred acres of land. This 
he has brought under cultivation, and has 
eifuipped it with a good set of farm buildings 
which are buth tasteful and substantial. He 
devotes a good >hare of his attention to his 
dairy and to stock-raising, and is numbered 
;unong the most progressive and enterprising 
farmers of this vicinity. 

An important step in the career of Mr. 
]5urns was his marriage with Maggie S. Doig, 
the daughter of William .S. and Fli/.abeth 
(Doig) Doig, the latter of whom died at the 
age of filt_\-lhree years. Mr. Doig is a re- 
spected member of the agricultural community 
of the town of Andes, where he still resides. 
To him and his wite three chiUlren were born, 
nameh': Belle, who tlied at the age of thir- 
teen years; Maggie S., Mrs. Burns; and An- 
ilrew, a resident of Kansas. The union of 
Mr. Hums and iiis wife has been l)lessed by 
the birth of four bright and interesting chil- 
ilren : namely. James A.. l,i/./ie M., l".\-;i J., 
and Willie C. Burns. 




!Ts svia'i:.st1';k wood, a 

highly esteemed citi/en of the village 
of hVanklin, where he has lived in 
retirement from active life for the 
last ten \ears. was born in the same town in 
1832. His grandfather. John Wood, came 
when a v<iung man from Ireland to Boston, 
Mass., with two brothers, one of whom was 
named Heni\-: but the three soon became 
separ.Ued. John married Mar\' Sarles, and 
settled on a farm in Newheld. Toni|)kins 
County, N.Y., where were born their three 
bovs and four girls, all <if whom grew to ma- 



42 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



turity. One lived to be over eighty; but two 
died much earlier, of consumption. Their 
father died in the prime of life; but the 
widow married again, and did not pass away 
till she had left behind her the milestone of 
threescore and ten. Among the children of 
John and Mary Wood was Charles Jefferson 
Wood, who was born in Newfieki in 1804, and 
died in Franklin in 1893, aged eighty-nine. 
He married F.liza Wheat, born in Franklin, 
a daughter of Captain William Wheat, who 
came from Marlboro, Conn. 

The Wheat family derive their lineage from 
Thomas Wheat, who came from Wales to Bos- 
ton in 1692. In the genealogy it is possible 
to go back fully through four generations, to 
Solomon Wheat, of Connecticut, a graduate of 
Yale College, a Surgeon in the Revolution, 
and a Baptist clergyman, who was born in 
1753; so that he was twenty-two when the 
struggle lor independence began. He lived 
through the War of 18 12, and died, at a great 
age, about the time when Vice-President 
John Tyler had succeeded to the Presidency 
by the untimely death of General William 
Henry Harrison, and was disturbing the 
equanimity of the Whig party, which had 
elected him. Dr. Wheat hatl nine sons and 
four daughters, one of whom ilied in infancy. 
Samuel Wheat settled in the .South, and had a 
son, Robert Wheat, who fought in three wars 
— first in the Mexican War, second under 
Ciaribaldi in Italy, and third in our Civil 
War, dying during the siege of Petersburg, 
with the title of Major. Another son of 
-Solomon Wheat was Thomas, who lived and 
died on the old Connecticut farm. .Still an- 
other son was the junior Solomon, a man 
whose great strength, immense stature, and 
surgical proficiency did not prevent his capt- 
ure, and who died on board his father's ship 
soon after his liberation from a P'rench 
prison. Aaron, the youngest son of Grand- 
father Wheat, lived in Sackett's Harbor, 
L.I.; while his biother Benjamin settled 
either in Chemung or Steuben County, New 
York. Solomon Wheat's son William fol- 
lowed in the nautical rather than the theolog- 
ical or medical lead of liis father, and was a 
marine merchant and commander for thirty 
years. He was born on January 19, 1772, and 



began life as a sailor when only thirteen. At 
nineteen he was mate with a Captain Smith, 
bound for the West Indies with a cargo 
which included much live stock. In the 
midst of a gale the captain ordered his mate 
to free the horses, and try to make for the 
shore. William Wheat disobeyed. Instead 
of driving the horses overboard, he gave the 
pigs that opportunity, and so succeeded in 
righting the ship and keeping out of danger. 
The marine rule, "Obey orders or break 
owners," did not work in young Wheat's case; 
for he was promoted for his disobedient bra- 
very, and placed in command of the brig 
"■Buck," and thereafter made voyages not only 
to the West Indies, but to South America, 
Italy, and Africa. The valorous captain died, 
full of days, in Franklin, N.Y., in March, 
1868, lacking less than four years of his 
century. 

Among his sons was Cyrus Howell Wheat, 
who was born in Franklin, March ly, 18 13, 
and followed an agricultural career. He mar- 
ried Amanda Rogers, of Sidney, Delaware 
County, on P^ebruary 7, 1836. Their first 
child was Watson Wheat, who died, not of 
wounds, but of disease, at Harper's F"erry, at 
the age of twenty-four, a member of Company 
G, of the Sixth Regiment of New York Vol- 
unteers. Another son, Leroy Wheat, died in 
Croton, aged sixteen. Herbert Wheat died 
in P""ranklin, of typhoid fever, when only 
twenty. Of the living children, Marion 
Wheat married Manzer Smith, of Meredith, 
Hartson Leroy Wheat is a Franklin farmer, 
and Orton Wheat is a carpenter in Croton. 
Their brother. Porter Alton Wheat, is a noted 
resident of the village of Croton, where he 
was born March 24, 1845, on the place pur- 
chased by his grandfather after retirement 
from a seafaring life, and where Porter's 
father also was born. Besides attending the 
district school. Porter Wheat was educated at 
the Delaware Literary Institute. He began 
teaching in 1861, when only sixteen, and just 
as the Civil War began; and he continued to 
teach in district schools till 1877, when he 
was thirty-two years old. In 1866, thi-ee days 
before Christmas, he married Lydia Maria 
Southworth, of Masonville, daughter of the 
Rev. Nelson and Jennie (PTnch) Southworth. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



43 



Lydia was horn in Schoharie County; and her 
father was one of four brotliers, two others 
being, like himself, Methodist clergymen. 
Mrs. Wheat had not onl}- these two uncles in 
this profession and denomination, but also 
two brothers. 

The I'orter Wheats have five children: Cora 
Wheat married Leroy ICvans, a Franklin 
farmer. Homer W'heat resides still at home. 
Bertha Wlieat is her father's assistant in the 
post-office. Se\niour Wheat is an agricultur- 
ist. The youngest son, born in 1881, Roscoe 
Wheat, is still a boy at home. Mr. Wheat 
is a Democrat. I'or sixteen years he has been 
a Justice of Peace, and in Cleveland's first 
administration was appointed Postmaster, a 
place he still holds. The surname recalls 
what was said by an early historian, that God 



had sifted three nations to give Ni. 



I'JU 



land's colonies the finest of wheat. 

It will be remembered that Charles J. 
Wood married into the Wheat family, his 
wife being an aunt of Postmaster Wiieat. 
They had three sons and a daughter. One of 
the boys died in 1848, at the early age of 
eleven. Of the three living, Rufus Sylvester 
is the eldest. Henry W. Wood is a resident 
of F'ranklin, and a separate sketch of him may 
be found elsewhere in this volume. Jane 
Wood, the youngest, married Daniel Colby 
Dibble, of Dakota, Neb. 

Rufus .S. Wood grew up on a farm, attended 
the district school, and also the Delaware 
Literary Institute, but afterward felt it his 
duty to remain at home with his parents. 
There his mother died in 18S3, aged seventy- 
two, a decade before lier husband, wln) sur- 
vived till 1893, dying at his son Rufus's, and 
lying beside his wife in the Oulcout Valley 
cemetery. In 1855, September 16, at the age 
of twenty-three, Rufus Wood married Susan 
Maria Mann, daughter of Horace and .So- 
]ihronia (Fitch) Mann. P^ither Mann was a 
native of Connecticut, Init his wife belonged 
in I'ranklin. Her paternal grandfather was 
Abijah Mann, whose wifi' was Chloe Clark; 
and they were pioneers in Delaware Count)', 
coming thither in an ox cart, and settling in 
the woods in 1803, when John Adams was 
growing unpoi)ular as President of the United 
States. Mrs. Wood's maternal grandfather 



was Colonel .Silas I-'itch, who was another 
early settler on Ouleout Creek. Mrs. Wood's 
motlier, .Sojjhronia Mann, was one of nine 
children, having two brothers and six sisters, 
all refined and intelligent people. 

Grandfather Fitch was a Colonel in the 
militia; and his wife was Clara Howell, a 
daughter of Isaac Howell, belonging to a New 
lingland family that came early into this 
region. His two sons, Mrs. Wood's uncles, 
were both professional men. Almiron l'"itch 
was a college graduate of powerful physique, 
and became a physician at Delhi, where he 
died. Silas F"itch went to college, and be- 
came a Methodist preacher. He died sud- 
denh', in 1872, at Irvington, N.Y., while 
engaged in animated conversation with a visi- 
tor. Mrs. Wood has tliree brothers living, 
one having died in childhood: George W. 
Mann is a farmer in Franklin. Silas Fitch 
Mann is a merchant in Warsaw, Wyoming 
County. Almiron Howell Mann studied at 
the Delaware Literary Institute, but was 
reared a farmer, and now lives a retired life 
at I'>aid<lin. 

In 18S4 Mr. Wood sold his inherited farm, 
and removed to the village, where he iuis a 
small estate of fourteen acres. He and his 
wife had the misfortune of losing one son, 
Ivlson .Stanley Wood, when only thirteen 
months old; l)ut they have two living chil- 
dren. Their son, Irving C. Wood was grad- 
uated at the Jefferson Medical College in 
Philadelphia, and is now a physician in the 
town of Logan, Harrison County, Iowa. His 
wife, P'lorence Bolter, was a daughter of 
.Senator Bolter of that place. Carrie J. Wood 
is the wife of Frank C. Daniels, of Franklin. 

Mr. Wood is a Blue Lodge Mason. He 
was formerly a Democrat in jioiitics, but left 
the ranks to join the Prohibitionists. His 
wife is a Ba[)tist. Tiiey live in a pleasant 
home, and are highly respected. Though 
prosperous in his undertakings, Mr. Wood is 
not a rich man, Init has chosen that better 
])art, a good name. He has been always a 
total abstainer from liquor and tobacco, and 
therefore finds a congenial abiding-place in a 
community where no licenses are granted for 
the s.ile of that which stupefies men's brains. 
He is more than satisfied with his children, 



44 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



and in both these sentiments his wife heartily 
shares. With the practical sage for whom his 
town was named, Ben Franklin, Mr. Wood 
might say, "Temperance puts wood on the 
fire, meal in the barrel, flour in the tub, 
money in the purse, credit in the country, 
contentment in the house, clothes on the 
back, and vigor in the body." Concerning 
the weed he would adopt the opinion of the 
old dramatist, whose first name was like 
Franklin's, Ben Jonson, "It is good for noth- 
ing but to choke a man and fill him full of 
smoke and embers." 



KEWIS MARVIN, who worthily repre- 
sents important industrial interests of 
^ the town of Walton, where he owns 
and operates a stone quarry, is a na- 
tive of this State and county, his birth having 
occurred in Walton, March 13, 1831. He is 
the son of Jared Marvin, a native of Hoosick, 
Rensselaer County, N.Y., whose father, Mat- 
thew Marvin, was a native of Connecticut and 
a veteran of the Revolutionary War, having 
served in the ranks for seven years. 

In 1799 Matthew Marvin came to this 
county, and, settling in the town of Walton, 
on Mount Holly farm, which he cleared from 
the wilderness, resided there until he had 
rounded out a full life of ninety-six years. 
The worthy descendant of one of the Puritan 
fathers, he was very strong in his religious 
convictions, and very strict in observances. 
He married Mary Weed, the daughter of 
Thomas Weed, who was born in Simsbury, 
Conn., June 7, 1754. He was a Revolution- 
ary soldier, and one of the si.xty-eight who 
were pickets for Lafayette's regiment, and 
stormed the redoubt near Yorktown. He 
served with distinction throughout that war, 
participating in the most prominent battles, 
coming forth with an untarnished war record. 
The children of Matthew and Mary Weed 
Marvin were as follows: Joseph, Abigail, 
Jared, Thomas, William, and Lewis. 

Jared Marvin was reared to the carpenter's 
trade, which he followed for several years in 
the town of Walton, in which place he after- 
ward operated a woollen-mill, remaining there 
until his death, in 1865, at the age of seventy- 



si.x years. He married Fanny Rodgers, a 
native of Greenville, Worcester County, 
Mass., and a daughter of Asa and Catherine 
(Hamilton) Rodgers. (For further parental 
history see sketch of George W. Marvin, 
which appears on another page of this work.) 

Lewis Marvin received a substantial educa- 
tion in the public schools of his native town, 
and at the age of eighteen years began teach- 
ing, a profession in which he engaged for 
several terms. He was appointed Postmaster 
in 1868, and retained the position eighteen 
years. Purchasing the stone quarry about the 
time he left the office, he assumed its manage- 
ment, and has since carried on the business. 

On September 3, 1862, Mr. Marvin was 
united in marriage with L. Vesta Beard, the 
daughter of Ezra and Lois (Gaylord) Beard. 
Mrs. Marvin's ancestors were from Massachu- 
setts, that State having been the birthplace of 
her grandfather, Ezra Beard, Sr., who was 
born May 2, 1764, and, after spending the 
earlier years of his life there, moved to Jeffer- 
son, Schoharie County, N.Y. His children 
were Julia, Ann is, Russell, Ezra Lusk, and 
Ezra Gibbs. He and his wife lived to a good 
old age, he dying at the age of seventy-eight 
years, and she at the age of seventy-five years. 
The father of Mrs. Marvin was born in 1804, 
and was very young when he came with them 
to this State. He was a successful tiller of 
the soil on the old homestead for more than a 
quarter of a century, during which time he 
buried his wife, the mother of his children, 
and married her sister Ruthala. When the 
shadows began to lengthen, he left the large 
farm, and moved to Harpersfield, Delaware 
County; and here they lived until the time of 
their respective deaths. May 30 and June 11, 
1888, having numbered fourscore and four 
years. They were people of genuine worth, 
and were members of the Congregational 
church, of which he was Deacon. Their 
children all survived them, namely: Mary, 
who married the Rev. L. M. Purington; 
Lydia, the wife of M. S. Wilcox; Mrs. Mar- 
vin; and Ezra. Mr. and Mrs. Marvin have 
one child, a son, Robert B. Marvin, who is a 
young man of superior mental ability and at- 
tainments, a graduate of Hamilton College, 
and is now a Professor in the Blair Presbyte- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



45 



rial Academy at IMaiistown, N.J.. occupyini; 
the Cliair ol Cicniian Lani;ua!,^c and Litera- 
ture. Mrs. Marvin is iicrself a woman of 
much cultivation, being a graduate of Mount 
Holyoke Seminary, South Iladley, Mass., in 
the class of 1859. 

Politically, Mr. Marvin is a strong Repub- 
lican, and for the past twenty-five years has 
served as Justice of the Peace, an office which 
he has filled to the satisfaction of all con- 
cerned. He and his family are members of 
the Congregational church, of which he has 
been a Trustee for a quarter of a century; and 
in the Sunday-school connected with it he 
and his wife are faithful teachers. Mr. Mar- 
vin, who has labored for the educational and 
moral advancement of the town, served on the 
Board of Education for twenty years, several 
of which he was Secretary of the Hoard. 
Mrs. Marvin has also served as President of 
the P'oreign Missionary Society of the Con- 
gregational church. 




M1<:RV JENKINS, of Union Grove, 
town of Andes, farmer, stock-raiser, 
and dealer in butter, is one of the 
best-known and most progressive men iti his 
line of business in Delaware County. He is 
quite a young man, having been born October 
24, 1868, son of Anst)n and Sarah (Mekeel) 
Jenkins, the former of whom was a native of 
the town of Roxburv', his birth having oc- 
curred there December 3, 1S33. The pa- 
ternal grandparents of Mr. Jenkins were 
James and Polly (White) Jenkins. James 
Jenkins followed agriculture as his occupa- 
tion, and with his wife reared a large fam- 
ily, his other children besides Anson being- 
named Alonzo, Nathan, David, P'gbert, Deli- 
lah Hlephan, Lucinda, Ella, and Angelina. 
He bought one hundred and thirty acres of 
land in the town of Andes, built a saw-mill, 
and in company with John Mekeel & Son 
engaged in lumbering, floating their lumber 
down the river in rafts to Philadelphia. He 
afterward bouglit other land to the amount of 
two hundred and seventy acres. He died at the 
age of seventy-two, after an industrious and 
well-spent life. His wife still survives, and 
resides with her son Nathan in Union Grove. 



Anson Jenkins, father of limery, early ac- 
quired hal)its of industry, and assisted his 
father on the farm and in the work of lumber- 
ing. He married Sarah Mekeel, daughter of 
John Mekeel, his father's partner. This 
gentleman came to Delaware County among 
the early settlers. He look up three hundred 
acres of land, and built a log house, later 
constructing a saw-mill and engaging with 
Mr. Jenkins in the lumber business as above 
narrated. His son-in-law, Anson Jenkins, 
afterward bought the farm in an improved 
condition, and still further im|)roved the 
propert)' by erecting new buildings, one of 
the barns being the largest and most substan- 
tial in that ])art of the county. The children 
of Anson Jenkins were as follows: Jnhn \V., 
deceased; James H.; and Emery. 

The latter, the subject of this notice, came 
into possession of his father's farm, which he 
has improved and cultivatetl to a high degree. 
He is far-sighted, and is ever on the alert to 
take advantage of new inventions and the 
latest methods. His farm is provided with 
every convenience for getting the most out of 
the soil; and in addition to his reputation as 
an agriculturist he has achieved fame for the 
excellence of his butter, which finds a ready 
market at all times, and is considered the best 
[jroduced in his part of the county. Mr. Jen- 
kins married Eliza Lynn, daughter of John 
and Margaret (Fellows) Lynn, the former of 
whom was born in Jen Capen, Sweden, April 
28, 1840, ami was the son of Frederick Lynn. 
The grandfather was born in 1782, and spent 
his whole life in Sweden, where he died at 
the age of eighty-two. 

John Lynn left home at the age of fifteen, 
and went to sea as cabin boy. He fcdlowed a 
sailor's life for fifteen years, visiting most of 
the great seaports of the workl. With the 
intention of bidding farewell to salt water, 
he landed in luigland, but soon after decided 
to seek his fortunes in the New World, and 
emigrated to America. .Arriving in the land 
of jii-omise, he went first to Suspension 
Bridge, where he found employment in a 
freight-house: but, after remaining there a 
while, he removed to Greene County, New 
York, where he met and married Margaret 1-'. 
Fellows, daughter of Philip and Hannah 



46 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



(Kelly) Fellows, residents of Albany County, 
the former being a lumberman by occupation 
and of (jerman ancestry. John Lynn then 
purchased a farm in Ulster County, where he 
resided six years, after which he sold the farm 
and bought another in Delaware County. 
Here he stayed some time, and finally pur- 
chased a farm on Barkerboom Creek. This 
he retained, and resides thereon at the present 
time. He is the father of three children: 
Eliza, born November 21, 1874; Charles, 
September 6, 1876; and Inez, July 21, 1S80. 
Mr. Jenkins, as already mentioned, is a 
wide-awake and progressive agriculturalist. 
Possessing every modern convenience for suc- 
cessfully pursuing his chosen occupation, he 
makes the most of his advantages; and, in a 
community where farming is carried on with 
exceptional skill, he is renowned for the thor- 
oughness of his methods and the excellent 
quality of his produce. He is the owner of 
some forty Jersey grade and young stock, has 
good water power on his premises, and pos- 
sesses the most improved farm machinery. 
In the fraternal orders he stands high, being a 
member of Margarettville Lodge, No. 389, 
A. F. & A. M., and of Arena Lodge, No. 
589, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He 
is a Republican in his political views, true to 
the principles of his party, and is esteemed 
by his fellow-townsmen as a man whose word 
can be relied upon and whose judgment is of 
value in all town affairs. 




'ARVEY M. SEAMAN, a miller and 
dealer in flour and feed in DeLancey, 
lis I in the town of Hamden, Delaware 

County, N.Y., led an eventful life, 
which has develojjed a strong character, mark- 
ing him as a man of indomitable will, high 
moral principles, and honorable ambition. 
His grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, 
whose bounty land included what is now the 
town of Cieneva. His fatlier, Joshua Seaman, 
was born in Bovina in 1803, and was educated 
in that place and the town of Delhi. In 1824 
Joshua Seaman married Mary Millard, daugh- 
ter of Amos Millard, she liaving been born in 
Delhi in 1804. Eleven children blessed this 
union, all of whom lived to reach maturity. 



Three sons and one daughter still survive, 
namely: Harvey M., of whom this sketch is 
written; Amasa, a farmer on Hamden Hill; 
Joshua, who is engaged in farming in Mere- 
dith; and Ann Eliza, wife of Frank Welch, of 
Delhi. The mother of this large family died 
in April, 1883, the father having preceded 
her some sixteen years; and they sleep among 
their children in the old cemetery at De- 
Lancey. 

Harvey M. Seaman was born in Delhi, 
February 13, 1829; and, when a lad of ten 
years, was sent to live with his uncle, H. R. 
Millard, a merchant of Delhi. For six years 
he acted as clerk in his uncle's store, and at 
the expiration of that time left for his father's 
farm near Montrose, Pa., where he remained 
for two or three years. The next scene of his 
labors was New York City, where he was oc- 
cupied for a few months as clerk in an es- 
tablishment dealing in woodenware. Again 
returning to the paternal home, he took up 
the role of teacher, and for three terms had 
charge of the district school. Urged by his 
restless nature, he then started out as a trav- 
elling salesman with a stock of tin trunks. 
This departure proved to be not as successful 
as he had hoped. Accordingly, he abandoned 
the life of a traveller, and settled down to the 
carpenter's trade and chain-pump business in 
Elmira, where he remained for one and one- 
half years. 

In 185 1 his desire for adventure once more 
predominated; and he departed for California, 
that golden Mecca of the New World, sailing 
around Cape Horn, spending one hundred and 
sixty-five days on the storm-tossed waves, 
and three or four weeks in St. Catherine, 
South America. He reached his destination 
in October, 1851, and remained five years in 
that country of sunshine and flowers, making 
his home with three brothers. Dent by name, 
a sister of whom married General Grant. 
Mr. Seaman was here engaged as a dealer in 
mining claims, and also had charge of a local 
ferry. In 1856 he returned to DeLancey by 
way of the Isthmus of Panama; and in com- 
pany with his brother Amasa, who had joined 
him in California, and had now come back 
with him to the old home, he bought the old 
Russell & Erkson tannery, which was built 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



47 



in 1844, and was occupied as a tanncr\- until 
1885. Mr. Seaman's father was a tanner, 
and from him the two sons learned the track- 
in 1859. After a tiiue Harvey Seaman pur- 
chased his brother's interest in the business, 
and was its sole proprietor until he abaniloned 
that industry and remodelled the buildin.;;s 
into a feed and yrist mill. The new mill, 
since built on the old site, consists ot a 
structure seventy-four by thirty-two feet, with 
a roomy wing and storehouse. A saw-mill is 
operated in connection with this, the water- 
power bein<; furnished by Bayley's Creek, 
which never fails in its sujiply. 

Mr. Seaman was marrietl May i, 1869. to 
Miss Isabel (ioodrich, who was born in 11am- 
dcn in 1837. Her father was Hiram (iood- 
rich, of Connecticut, who ilied at the ai;'e of 
eighty; and her mother was Betsey (Butler) 
Goodrich, who passed away April 10, 1871, 
aged seventy-four, her death occurring just 
one month previous to that of her husband. 
Mr. and Mrs. Seaman are the parents of four 
children, namely: Fanny, who is the wife of 
Herbert Chapman, and the mother of two chil- 
dren ; Amasa G., a young man of twenty-one 
years, in business with his father; Clifford 
D.. who at the youthful age of sixteen is 
teaching his hrsi school; Bayard J., a school- 
boy of fourteen. Unlike the majority of his 
townsmen, Mr. .Seaman is a Democrat, lieing 
an ardent follower of that jjaitN^'s code and a 
steatlfast supporter of its platform. He is an 
industrious, honorable man. who throughout 
his varied occupations, travels, and exiieri- 
ences has merited the confidence and enjoyed 
the esteem of his wide circle of accpiaintances. 




OIJVAR RADl-.KER is a farmer 
in the town of Colchester, having 
-^ 1 returned to the place of his birth, 
and adopted the calling of his fathers 
after several years of experience in other oc- 
cupations elsewhere. The earliest Radeker 
that we hear of in this country is William, 
who came from Germany about the midtllc of 
the last century. His experience in crossing 
the Atlantic was far from ])leasant; for he 
had not sufficient of this world's goods to pay 
for his passage, and he was therefore sold and 



serveti his time, landing at last, together with 
his two brothers, who were also unable to pay 
the ])assage money, and were obliged to 
undergo similar inconvenience. After land- 
ing, William settled near Newburg; but 
since that time nothing has been heard of tlie 
other brothers, so that the members of the 
family liere know not whether they returned 
to the l'"atherland or settled in some distant 
])art of this vast country. 

William raised a family of six children — 
i'eter, Jeremiah, Henry, John, Jacob, and 
Kate -— and, having lived to a gootl old age, 
died u]xin his own farm. His two sons Jacob 
and John came to Delaware County in the 
\ear 1795, settling in what is now Colchester, 
then called -Soden, buying about four hundred 
acres of new land, which had never felt the 
touch of cither plough or axe. Across the 
river was an Indian town, and the savages 
made their power felt to its full extent. 
Often did the settlers flee with their families 
to the mountains, that they might save their 
lives and their treasures from the red men. 
The brothers here built a saw and grist mill, 
and then a carding-mill, the first and for 
many years the only one of the kind for many 
miles around. 

Jacob Radeker married -Sarah Morton, who 
was born May 17, 1775, and had the follow- 
ing family: I'Tbridge; Annace; John R.; 
Creorge; l^arna; Sylvia; Hannah; William 
II.; Henry J.; Perry; ICsther; Alnieda and 
Alniira. twins; and Betsy. Jacob Radeker 
died April 5, 1857, and his wife August i, 
1834. Both were members of the Presbyte- 
rian church. In the latter ]iart of iiis life he 
sold his mill property, and lived retired from 
business cares. His son Henry J. married 
Catherine Hitt, and raised a family of four 
children. He is still living in the full en- 
joyment of health and activity, although well 
along in years. Alniira, witlow of H. Wil- 
son, is also in excellent health, an examiile of 
the longevity of the race. She and her 
brother Henry are residents of Downsville. 

Batna Radeker was married at the age of 
twenty-four to Elizabeth Fuller; and they 
reared a family of eight children, Bolivar 
being the eldest-born. The others were: El- 
bridge G., who married Adalinda Sprague; 



48 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Milo C, who married Minda Fuller; Sarah 
M., wife of George R. Shaver; Margaret A., 
wife of William R. Shaver; Charles Porter, 
who married Electa Terry; James M., who 
married Estella Fuller; and Dr. Barna E. 
Harna, in company with his father, bought 
eighty-four acres of land, and after two years 
bought his father out and commenced work 
for himself in farming and lumbering and 
mercantile business, doing a large and pros- 
perous business for many years. He was a 
highly respected man, a kind neighbor, and 
helpful friend. He was a strong Democrat, 
and a man of liberal views in religion. 

Bolivar Radeker was born on the old farm, 
where he grew to manhood, finishing his edu- 
cation at the Franklin Institute. On leavins 
school he accepted the position of cashier in 
the Deposit Bank, the duties whereof he faith- 
fully discharged for ten years. Then, sever- 
ing his connection with the bank, but 
remaining in that village, he started in busi- 
ness for himself, and continued it successfully 
for the ne.xt fifteen years. He was later em- 
ployed in the coal business with Rodney A. 
Ford in Binghamton for two years, and then 
came to Colchester and bought his father's 
farm. In 1866 Mr. Radeker married Anna 
L. Perry, who lived but four years after her 
marriage. He subsequently married Myra G. 
Ford, daughter of Rodney A. and Adaline 
(Whitney) Ford; and they have one child, 
Mary I',., who is still at home. 

Rodney Augustus Ford, the father of Mrs. 
Radeker, was a son of Daniel Ford, who for- 
merly lived in Herkimer County, but died at 
his residence in New York Mills. His wife, 
Adaline Whitney Ford, was daughter of 
Virgil and Marcia (Doty) Whitney, Virgil 
Whitney being son of Joshua Whitney, who 
was one of the first settlers of Binghamton, 
and who there built the first house, when the 
place was called by the curious name "Che- 
nang P'int." Joshua was a Democrat of the 
stanchest kind. His son Virgil, who was 
also of that political party, was Postmaster 
for many years, being the first to hold the 
office there. 

R. A. Ford raised a family of eight chil- 
dren: Charles W., born June 9, 1845; Char- 
lotte A., born November 14, 1846, wife of 



C. J. Knapp; Myra G., Mrs. Radeker, born 
August 26, 1848; Mary L., born April 29, 
1854, who died March 17, 1888; George H., 
born February 22, 1865, who married Harriet 
Smith, and died May 21, 1894; Virgil W., 
born November 4, 1857, who married Delia 
Sheppard, and died April 29, 1S89; Helen 
J., born November 13, 1866, who married Ed- 
ward E. Powell; Frederick, who died in 
1865; Edward A., born July 13, 1869, who 
married Maude McDonald. Mr. Ford is a 
large coal dealer in Binghamton, is a man of 
liberal views, a Democrat, and a supporter of 
the lipiscopal church, of which his wife is 
also an attendant. 

Bolivar Radeker is a farmer of the modern 
type, adopting all the improvements which 
time has brought; and his twenty-five Jersey 
cows, sheep, and other live stock are tended 
and sheltered in the most approved manner. 
In politics he is a stanch Republican, and his 
wife is a member of the Episcopal church. 
He comes from good old German stock, char- 
acterized by courage, endurance, and sagacity, 
and has profited much by his varied experi- 
ences in life. 



bpRANCIS E. TIFFANY is an enter- 
ic prising citizen of that part of Colches- 
ter called Pepacton, owning there a 
great deal of property, which he is constantly 
improving. His paternal grandfather, Jeffer- 
son Tiffany, came here at an early date and 
bought one thousand acres of land in what is 
known as Tiffany Hollow, where he was the 
first settler. He and his wife, Louisa Mcln- 
tyre, reared three children — Henry, William, 
and Sylvenas. At length, disposing of his 
farm, he removed to DeLancey, where he re- 
sided until his death, both he and his wife 
living to a very old age. Jefferson Tiffany 
was a firm believer in the principles of the 
Republican party. -Sylvenas, his youngest 
son, was born in the town of Hamden, and 
grew to manhood on the old homestead. He 
married Miss Mary Stevens, daughter of 
Zebra Stevens, an extensive farmer in Catta- 
raugus County. Mr. and Mrs. Sylvenas 
Tiffany were the parents of six children — 
Augusta, Marshall, Eugene, Sylvenas, 




Francis E. Tiffrny. 



BIOGRAIMflCAL REVIEW 



51 



Charles, and l-'iancis i{. Mr. Tiffanv was a 
Republican, like his father, aiui was a hi,i;h]y 
respected farmer. 11 is wife, who siuvi\ed 
him, resides in Ranilolph, Cattaraugus 
Count)'. 

Francis E. Tiffany, younf;est son of .Syl- 
venas and Mary (Stevens) Tiffany, was born 
in Tiffany Hollow, December 22, 1S54, and 
was educated in the common schools of the 
town, where he was studx-ing his early lessons 
when the patriotism of the coiuitry was 
aroused by the firinj;' on I'ort Sumter. He 
was far too young to go to the front, even as a 
drummer-boy ; but no doubt he longed to be a 
soldier and follow the Hag. Ha])pil\', the 
conflict was over befoie he had seen ele\-en 
summers. Hence, as he grew to manhood, he 1 
had no call to engage in an)' other than the 
joeaceful pursuits of husbandry, with which he 
became familiar on the home farm. His first \ 
purchase of land was a tract nf ninety-seven j 
and one-half acres, known as the Hunter farm. 
It being well u-ooded, he employed himself in 
clearing it and dealing in linuber. Later he 
sold that place, and bought a farm of one hun- j 
dred and twenty-five acres at I'epacton. known 
as the Townsend-Shaver fai'm, on the east 
branch of the Delaware River. Here he built 
' a cottage, hotel, and barns, the house being 
four stories high with basement. It is a 
charming location for summer boarders. 

On Ainil 4, 1870, Mr. Tiffany married ; 
Miss I'llla, daughter of N. 15. and' Margaret 
(Gregory) Fuller, who was born August 2, 
1 861. Mrs. Tiffany's father is a son of lo- 
seph Fuller, and resides in Colchester. He 
has three daughters: Ida, who maiiied John 
Flint; Rachel, the wife of I'arker II. 
Sprague; and Ella, who is the wife of the 
subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Tiffany 
have one daughter still living — Clara, born 
Jill)' 27, 1890. Their eUler daughter, Lena, 
was born October 28, 1882, and died in De- 
cember of the same year. 

Mr. Tiffany is at iiresent carrying on a 
large lumber business, and also managing his 
extensix'e farm, where he keeps a fine herd of 
Jersey cattle. He is a person of great per- 
severance and industry, who exhibits much 
ability in the conduct of his affairs, being, as 
would be judged from his ])ortrait, which 



meets the e)e of the reader on another i)age of 
this "Re\iew," a man eminently cajjable of 



•■ br.ivcly lu'win;; 
'I'lirouj;!) tlic world" liis ••wav." 

The Republican party claims him as a sup- 
j)orter of its jilatform, he being a stanch ad- 
herent of its principles; and throughout the 
community in which lu- is a resident he is 
highly respected. 




RAM N. CEORGl-:, a highly re- 
spected resident and successful 
farmer of Middletown, was born on 
the old homestead where he now re- 
November 12, 1832, son of Henry and 
IClizabeth (Tremper) George. His father was 
the son of John George, a native of Germany, 
who came to America before the Revolution- 
ary War, and during that arduous struggle was 
engaged as military tailor, making uniforms 
f(U- the Continental soldiers. In addition to 
his knowledge of the tailor's trade, John 
Gecu-ge was also skilled in music, wdiich he 
had followed as a profession for seven years in 
his native country. At the close of the Rev- 
olution he settled in Dutchess County. New 
York, and was engaged as gardener by the 
Livingston family, also working to some ex- 
tent at his original trade of tailoring. Both 
he aiid his wife li\'ed to a good old age, he 
dying in his eighty-first year, and she at the 
age of seventy-five. They had three children, 
two of whom died in infancy. 

Henr)- George, the third child, and the only 
one who grew to maturitv. was born in Dutch- 
ess Count)'. On arriving at manhood, he 
chose for iiis wife Elizabeth Tremper, daugh- 
ter of John and Rachel Tremper. The)' came 
to Delaware Count v together antl settled on 
the present site of the C<igburn farm, near 
Margarettville. After residing there three 
)ears, Mr. George ]iurchased one hundred and 
sixty acres of wild land at Arkville, and, after 
building a log house, set to work to clear off 
I he heavy growth of tiniber. He built a saw- 
niill, and succeeded in bringing the land into 
a slate of fair cultivation before arriving at 
middle age. He was a popular man in his 
neighborhood, and was much respected, filling 



52 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



several town offices during his long and active 
life with credit to himself and satisfaction to 
his fellow-citizens. In the War of 1 812 he 
served in the American army as a musician. 
He became a Republican on the formation of 
that party, and ever after adhered to Republi- 
canism as his political creed. In religion he 
was a Methodist. He lived to the remarkable 
age of ninety-five, and his loss was much de- 
plored by all who knew him. His faithful 
wife died at the age of seventy-five years, 
after a life of toil and devotion. She was the 
mother of eleven children, whose names are as 
follows: Catherine, John, William, Daniel, 
Peter, Edward, Alfred, Rachel, Walter, An- 
drew, and Hiram N. 

At the age of twenty-one Hiram N. George, 
who had received a plain but practical educa- 
tion in the district schools of his native town, 
engaged in lumbering, and continued in that 
occupation until he came into possession of 
the old homestead. On this event he went to 
work to improve the place. He remodelled 
the buildings, bought more land, and made 
other improvements, until he now has a fine 
farm of over two hundred acres. He owns 
twenty Jersey cows, and raises some fine 
horses and sheep. Realizing the truth that it 
is not good man should be alone, he obtained 
in marriage the hand of Phebe Seager, daugh- 
ter of Hiram and Synthia Bly Seager, the for- 
mer of whom was a native of Ulster County, 
New York, and was a large lumber dealer and 
farmer. Mr. Seager was twice married, first 
to Tirzah Murvvin, by whom he had the fol- 
lowing children: Murwin, who married Ada 
Todd, of Ulster County, and has two children; 
Lucy, who became the wife of Dyer Todd, 
and died, as did her husband, leaving one child: 
Susan, who married Daniel Todd, and has a 
family of six children; Aylwin and Hiram 
H., both of whom died when quite young. 
Mr. Seager's second marriage (to Synthia 
Bly Lemore) added to his family three more 
children, namely: ICiizabeth, now deceased, 
who married Judson Haynes, and at her death 
left five children; Phebe, wife of Hiram N. 
George, of this biographical notice; and 
James, who married Estella George, and has 
two children. The father of these children 
died at the age of seventy years, and his sec- 



ond wife when seventy-seven. The latter, 
previous to her marriage to Mr. Seager, was 
the widow of James Lemore, and by him had 
three children — George, Mary, and Melissa. 
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram N. George 
has been blessed with two children: Samuel, 
born May 28, 1869, who died at the age of 
thirteen; and Seager, born February 12, 1884. 
Mr; George is a man of influence in his 
town. By industry and judicious economy, 
qualities doubtless inherited from his pioneer 
ancestors, he has improved his worldly condi- 
tion and achieved a fair competence. He 
does not confine his attention to local affairs, 
however, but takes a keen interest in the gen- 
eral welfare of the country, keeping himself 
well informed upon national issues. He ad- 
heres to the principles of the Republican 
party, and votes as he believes. In religious 
matters he is an active and sincere member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church of Arkville, 
as is also his wife. Both are much esteemed 
members of the community in which they re- 
side, and may well be counted among Dela- 
ware County's representative citizens. 



OSIAH MARTIN, proprietor of a stone 
quarry in .the town of Walton, where 
he also carries on the trade of a carpen- 
ter, is a practical, well-educated man of 
good business talents, which have made him 
highly successful in his present enterprise. 
Mr. Martin is a native of this State and 
county, his birth having occurred in the town 
of Hancock, September 19, 1829. He is of 
German descent, his paternal grandfather, 
Ebenezer Martin, having, it is thought, been 
born in Germany, whence he emigrated to 
America, settling in Connecticut, where he 
took up land, and there passed his remaining 
years. 

His father, also named Josiah Martin, was 
born on a farm in Mansfield, Conn., and was 
there reared to man's estate. He received a 
good education, and in his early manhood was 
a popular teacher. He was a remarkably fine 
reader, a circumstance which is well remem- 
bered by his children. He also learned civil 
engineering, a vocation which he followed for 
many years. When about twenty-five years of 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



53 



age, he came to Delaware County, and in the 
town of Hancock carried on his former occu- 
pation for a while, but finally became a tiller 
of the soil, following this occupation until his 
death, at the age of sixty-eight years, lie 
married Rachel Williams, the daughter of 
Titus Williams, a farmer of Hancock, ami 
also a local preacher in the Methodist denom- 
ination. Of this marriage seven children 
were born, namely: Charles, Williams, of 
East Branch, and Josiah, now living; and 
James, Jane, Levi, and Rachel, deceased. 
The mother of these children was an esteemed 
member of the Methodist church, of which 
the family were regular attendants. 

Josiah, son of Josiah and Rachel (Will- 
iams) Martin, was reared upon his father's 
farm in Hancock, and passed the years of his 
boyhood in the usual manner, attending the 
district school in the winter, and working on 
the farm during the summer season. He had 
some native talent as a mechanic, and worked 
at the carpenter's trade when he could con- 
veniently, remaining with his parents until 
attaining his majority. He secured work as a 
bridge-maker for the Pittsburg, New Castle, 
& Erie Railway Company; and during the 
year that he was in their employment he 
assisted in the construction of eleven bridges, 
and, as foreman of the workmen, made every 
pattern an<l laid out the entire work. He 
afterward worked for a while for the Onl.irio 
& Western Railway Company. In 1871 Mr. 
Martin came to Walton, and. purchasing a 
lot, erected his present fine residence, which 
he has since occupied. Forming a partner- 
ship with K. r. Berray, he established the 
cabinet business here, and conducted it for 
about six years. He then resumed his former 
vocation of carpentering, which he continued 
until i88g, when he bought the stone quarry, 
where he has since been actively employed in 
getting out stone. He is an enterprising 
representative of the industrial interests of 
the town, and is widely and favorably known 
in business circles as an upright, incorrup- 
tible man and a good citizen. 

An important step in the life of Mr. Martin 
was his marriage with P'annie Niles, the 
daughter of Festus and Sarah Niles, the for- 
mer'of whom was a native of Walton and the 



latter of ilamden. The only child of this 
union was a son, James Curtis Martin, who is 
now studying l:iw. He was born during tiie 
residence of his parents in Hancock, the date 
of his birth being Octol)er 7, 1869. When 
he was four years old, his parents removed to 
Walton, where he was educated, attending 
first the district schools, and subsec|uentl)- 
being graduated from the Walton Academy. 
He began his business career as a clerk in the 
store of D. McEean, and was afterward with 
G. O. Mead, with whom he remained for a 
time, relinquishing that position to acce])t 
the general agency of the publishing house of 
H. 7. -Smith & Co., of Philadelphia, for 
whom he travelled about a year, his territory 
being in the State of New York. He after- 
ward entered the United States mail service 
as a clerk on the train running from Oneida 
to New York City, continuing in this busi- 
ness about eighteen months. Going then to 
Cornwall, he was for a short time a clerk in 
the general store of Oliver & Bogara. On 
his return to Walton, he entered the law- office 
of Marvins & Hanford, where he is rapidly 
qualifying himself for admission to the bar. 
He is a \-oung man of exceeding promise, 
genial and courteous, and very popular in 
social circles. I-Intering the Thirty-third 
Separate Company, N. C. S.. New York. 
October 12, 1887, as a private, in 1889 he 
was promoted to the rank of Corporal, and in 
March. 1892. to that of Sergeant, and in the 
same month was elected Second Eieutenant, 
a rank which he still holds. 

Mr. Josiah Martin has always been a stanch 
adherent of the Democratic party, and takes 
an acti^'e interest in local and national affairs. 
During his residence in Hancock he served as 
Justice of the Peace two terms, and was 
elected to the same office the third term, but 
refused to qualify. While there he acted as 
Inspector of Elections, Constable. Collector, 
and as Assessor, filling each office with credit 
to himself and satisfactorily to all. Since 
coming to Walton, he has been Road Commis- 
sioner and Inspector of Ivlections: and he 
came within forty votes of being elected Su- 
pervisor and Justice of the Peace, which 
speaks well for his standing in the commu- 
nity, this town being a Republican strong- 



54 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



hold. Both he and his wife are members of 
the Methodist church. 




'AMUEL E. WHITE, who lives in 
the town of North Walton, in Dis- 
trict No. 9, is the owner of one of 
the finest homesteads in this part of 
Delaware County. It consists of one hun- 
dred and sixty-five acres of hunl, with a 
comfortable and substantial residence, a good 
barn, and all necessary outbuildings for the 
storing of grain and the shelter of stock. 
The fences and farm machinery are kept in 
good repair, and everything about the prem- 
ises indicates the supervision of an intelligent 
and practical farmer. Mr. White is a native 
citizen of Walton, and is the offspring of a 
New England family, his father, Daniel 
White, having been born in Stamford, Fair- 
field County, Conn., in which town William 
White, his grandfather, was a life-long resi- 
dent. He was a successful farmer, and also 
carried on an extensive shoe business, and 
was closely identified with the industrial in- 
terests of the town. He reared a large family 
of twelve children. 

Daniel White came to Walton in the days 
of its early settlement, when the clearings 
were few, and, purchasing a tract of wild 
land, set himself industriously to work to im- 
prove its condition and to raise the crops upon 
which he depended for his ])rofits and liveli- 
hood. His first residence was the customary 
log cabin of the pioneer; but this in a few 
years was replaced by a fine frame structure, 
a good barn was erected, and on the home- 
stead which he had thus established he lived 
until 1849, when his death occurred, at the 
age of sixty-six years. On November 10, 
1808, he married Catherine Webb, a native of 
Connecticut, born June 11, 1788, being one 
of six children born to I'^benezer and Hannah 
Webb. Her brothers and sisters were Cla- 
rissa, Jemima, Phebe, Joseph, and Ebenezer 
Webb. Mrs. White proved herself an effi- 
cient helpmate during their years of pioneer 
life, and with her busy hands found time to 
card, spin, weave, and make the garments 
worn by the family. Both were original 
members of the Congregational church of 



North Walton. Previous to the formation of 
this church, they were members of the First 
Congregational Church at Walton, where they 
used to go on horseback, following a path 
through the woods, there being then no public 
highway. Mrs. Catherine White survived 
her husband many years, dying October 30, 
1876, at the home of one of her daughters in 
North Walton. She reared six children; 
namely, William Edward, Eliza Ann, George 
E., Emily, Samuel E., and Charles E. 

Samuel E., the third son, who was born on 
June 24, 1824, spent his early years on the 
parental homestead near the one which he now 
occupies, and in the district school and the 
academy at Franklin received a practical edu- 
cation. After finishing his studies, he as- 
sisted his father on the farm; and several 
years before the death of the latter he assumed 
the sole management of the homestead, his 
father being in feeble health and unable to 
superintend the work. He afterward engaged 
in general farming in Woodlawn near by, re- 
maining there three years. He then bought 
the farm where he has since resided, and has 
carried on mixed husbandry. He makes a 
specialt)' of dairying, and until within a few 
years manufactured choice butter, which he 
sold in the New York and Connecticut mar- 
kets, but has recently adopted the plan of 
selling his milk. 

Mr. White was marrieil in 1852 to Eliza- 
beth C. Knapp, a daughter of William and 
Rebecca (Webb) Knapp, of Stamford, Conn. 
The only child of their u ion is a son, Arthur 
L., a finely educated man, having been fitted 
for college at the Franklin Academy. He is 
now at home, and assists in the management 
of the farm. The entire family are members 
of the Second Congregational Church of North 
Walton, of which Arthur has been Clerk for 
many years, besides faithfully performing the 
duties of superintendent of the Sunday-school. 




ILLIAM S. THOMSON, a success- 
ful farmer and stock-raiser and a 
leading dairyman of his native town 
of Bovina, is the possessor of a fine homestead 
containing two hundred and two and a half 
acres of well-improved land, on which he and 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



his family resiclc. His estate is supplied 
with a substantial set of modern farm build- 
ings, his stock and machinery are of first-class 
description, and everything about the premises 
is indicative of the intlustry, intelligence, and 
thrift of its proprietor. The date ot his 
birth, December 32, 1861, shows him to be 
yet in the prime of early manhood. His par- 
ents, Andrew and Margaret (Scott) Thomson, 
were also natives of Bovina, where his father 
entered upon this stage of existence on Janu- 
ary 14, 1836, and his mother on the ^d of 
April, 1835. 

On the paternal side i\Ir. Thomson is ol 
sturdy -Scotch ancestry. His grandfather, 
William Thomson, who was born in Scotland 
in 1801, emigrated in 1825 from the land of 
his birth to America, and, coming to Delaware 
County, bought a farm in the town of Kovina, 
and here engaged in tilling the soil. He 
died at the good old age of fourscore years. 
He was a man of strong religious convictions, 
and a member of the Reformed Presbyterian 
church, of which he was for many years an 
holder. He married Janet Hamilton; and to 
them were born six children, three sons and 
three daughters, all of whom are living except 
Andrew, the father of the subject oi the pres- 
ent sketch. 

Andrew Thomson spent his entire life in 
the town of Hovina, and was the larger [lart of 
his time engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 
1861 he bought the farm now ownetl liy his 
son, William S., and made thereon the major 
portion of the excellent improvements, plac- 
ing it among the most valuable homesteads of 
this locality. He was a man of good business 
ability, and faithfully fulfilled his obligations 
as a good citizen, residing here until his 
death, July 17, 18SS, at the age of fifty-two 
years. Hi's wife, Margaret Scott, was the 
daughter of John Scott, a life-long resident of 
Bovina, and one who jjerformed his full 
share in the pioneer labor of developing its 
resources and assisting its gmwth. .She sur- 
vived her husband a short time, dying January 
II, 1891, at the age of fifty-four years. Both 
were active workers in the cause ot religion, 
and were members of the Reformed Presbyte- 
rian church, in which he was an Klder. Five 
children were born of their union, as f(dlows: 



William S. ; luhvin !•"., a well-known tlealer 
in boots and shoes, who resides in the village 
of Delhi; Burtis M., a farmer, who lives in 
Walton; Carrie E., the wife of A. T. Doig, 
a merciiant in liovina Centre; and Millard 
II., a farmer residing in Walton. 

William .S., the eldest of the family, W'as 
reared on the idd home farm, and educated in 
the district schools. Having grown to man- 
hood, he continued to make his home with his 
parents, and during the winter seasons taught 
school for three years, between terms working 
on the land. After the death of his father he 
bought the family homestead, taking posses- 
sion in 1890, and here carries on an extensive 
business in general farming and dairying, milk- 
ing thirty-five cows, which in 1893 yielded an 
average of two hundred and eighty jiounds of 
liutter per head. He has full-bloodetl Jersey 
cattle and graded, and also keeps other stock, 
having about sixty head in all. 

Mr. Thomson was married on January 29, 
1890, to Jennie A. Archibald, who was born 
April 24, 1870, and is the daughter of Sloane 
and Elizabeth (Russell) Archibald, esteemed 
residents of the town of Bovina, where her 
father is a prominent agriculturist. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. .Archibald were born in New 
Kingston, his birth having occurred on Janu- 
ary 5, 1848, and hers on November 13, 184S. 
l^oth ai'e members of the United Presbyterian 
church of Hovina Centre, and in politics Mr. 
Archibald is a stanch Democrat. Tliey are 
the ])arents of twii children, namely: Mrs. 
Thiimson; and Russell, who resides at home 
with his ]iarents. The ]iaternal grandlather 
of Mrs. Thomson, James Arc-hibald, was born 
in Bovina on July 20, 18 16, was married to 
Margaret Sloane on April 7, 1842, and re- 
sideci at New Kingston till after her death in 
1848. He afterwanl lived in Bovina. but is 
at present in New Kingston. He has been 
three times married. His occupation is farm- 
ing. I'ntil (|uite ri'cently he has also siiecu- 
lated in slock. He is a Democrat in politics, 
and is a member of the I'nited Presbyterian 
churcli. 

John G. Russell, the maternal grandfather 
of Mrs. Thomson, and his wife, whose maitien 
name was Jane Chisholm, were natives of New 
Kingston, where he still lives, and of which 



56 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



town his father, Matthew Russell, was a pio- 
neer settler. During his earlier years John 
Russell was an active farmer and a successful 
miller, and one of the influential members of 
his community. His first wife died at the 
age of sixty-nine years, ami he subsequently 
married again. 

Of the hapjjy union of Mr. Thomson and 
his wife two sons have been liorn — A. Ralph 
and Archibald. They have a pleasant and at- 
tractive home and enjoy the society of a large 
circle of warm friends. They are sincere 
Christian people, he being a member of the 
Reformed Presbyterian church, and she be- 
longing to the United Presbyterian cliurch. 




'ORREST F. GIBSON was born in 
South Kortright, on March 21, 185 1, 
and died at his home in Stamford on 
May 28, 1890. His father, the Rev. John D. 
Gibson, was born in Washington County; and 
his mother, Catherine D. (Wood) Gibson, in 
Orange County. His grandfather, Colin Gib- 
son, was born in Scotland, and came to Amer- 
ica when a young man, being one of the early 
settlers of Washington Coimty, where he died 
at a good old age. He was a United Presby- 
terian, and politically a Democrat. He was 
married three times. The Rev. John D. Gib- 
son was a minister in the United Presbyterian 
church, and a very successful man in his call- 
ing, standing at the head in his i.irofession. 
He spent the greater part of his life in Dela- 
ware County. He was a graduate of the 
Theological Seminary in Newburg, and was 
pastor of the South Kortright church for over 
forty years, beloved by his people, and well 
known and venerated throughout the county. 
He retired from the ministry seven years be- 
fore his death, which occurred at his son's 
home in Stamford, January 6, 1893, when he 
was seventy-six years of age. His wife died 
in August, 1892. They hatl five children, 
all of whom grew up, and three are now liv- 
ing, namely: John H. Gibson, residing in 
Kansas City; Robert P., who resides in West- 
chester County; Margaret A. Gooding, wife 
of D. M. Gooding, who resides at Hoosick 
Falls, Rensselaer County; Charles A., who 
died when fifty years of age; the subject of 



this sketch, who was the youngest of the 
family. 

P'orrest F. Gibson grew up in Stamford, 
and received more than an ordinary education. 
He first went to the district schools of the 
town, then to Andes Academy, and from there 
tt) Delhi Academy. When his school days 
were over, he bought his first land, one hun- 
dred and twenty-five acres, at Rose Brook, 
shortly after his marriage, in 1874, and re- 
sided there for nine years. He then sold out, 
and in 1884 bought the farm where his widow 
now resides. He here owned one hundred 
and seventy-five acres and carried on general 
farming and dairying. He made many im- 
provements, adding to the farm buildings, and 
in 1885 built a commodious modern residence 
worth thirty-three hundred dollars. He was a 
successful farmer and an active man in pro- 
moting the welfare of the town, of which he 
was at one time Assessor. 

On Christmas Eve, December 24, 1873, he 
married Helen T. Sackrider, daughter of 
James and Jane Ann (Thomas) Sackrider. 
(See the sketch of James Sackrider and Mrs. 
Agnes Thomas.) Mr. and Mrs. Gibson be- 
came the parents of two children: a daughter, 
J. Anna Gibson, born November 21, 1874, 
now Mrs. Henry E. Smith, residing in New 
York City: and James Sackrider Gibson, born 
August 23, 1877, who lives at home and as- 
sists in the management of the farm. They 
keep twent\'-one milk cows, and also much 
young stock. All the family are members of 
the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Gib- 
son, who was also of the United Presbyterian 
faith, and in politics was a Democrat, was a 
man who stood in high honor among his asso- 
ciates; and his death occasioned heartfelt sor- 
row throug-hout the town. 



^■^•» > 




RS. HANNAH D. OGDEN, widow 
of the late Chauncey Ogden, is a 
woman well known and much re- 
spected in the town of Franklin, 
where her husband died in 1892, and where 
she still makes her home. Mr. Ogden's 
grandfather, David Ogden, Sr., was a soldier 
of the Revolution. He was born in Dutchess 
County in 1764; and, although very young at 



RIOGRAPII ICAL REVIEW 



.';7 



the :imc of the war, like so many of the pa- 
triots of that (ia\- lie enlisted in the eaiise of 
freeiloni, and was taken prisoner, not by the 
British, but by the Indians. l'"or two years 
he lived in a wii;\vam with the si|uaw who 
ailopted him, and tjien he eseaped and re- 
turned to his home. During the time of his 
eaptivity he acquired great lluenc\' in tlie Ind- 
ian tongue, which was of great use to iiim in 
his dealings with the red men. lie died in 
Croton in 1S40, at the age of seventy-six 
years. llis son, David, Jr., who was horn in 
that town in 1792, and died in 1858, mairied 
Sally McCall. .She was born January 7, 
1794, antl died in 1869. 'I'hey had ten chil- 
dren, four sons and six daughters, only four 
of whom are now living, namely: Linus 
Ogden in Croton: Susan, wiilow of Isaac 
Hitchcock, in North Carolina: Marian, widow 
of Pardon Howland, of Whitney's Point, 
N.Y.; Mary, widow of the late Julius Brown- 
son, of Oregon. 

Chaunccy Ogden, son of Da\id. Jr.. and 
his wife Sally, was l)orn in Croton in 1S24, 
and married Hannah I). Munn, born in the 
town of Franklin, October 5, 1830. .She was 
the daughter of Reuben and l.ydia (Jones) 
Munn, and was but eighteen years old in 
1848, when she became Mrs. Ogden. .She 
has three children still living, namel}-; 
pjnma, wife of Charles Potter, of P'ranklin, 
and mother of two sons — .Albert Ogileii, 
twentv-one years old ; and Orion C, eighteen 
years old. Mr. and Mrs. Chaunccy Ogden 
began life as farmers, with a capital iif fu'c 
hundred dollars: and before the death of Mr. 
Ogden the property was worth several thou- 
sand dollars. In religion Mrs. Ogden is a 
Congregational ist. 

Alfred K. Ogden, eldest son of Mrs. 
Ogden, was born December 22. 1851. He re- 
ceived his primary education in the common 
schools, and then spent two years at the Dela- 
ware Literary Institute. He remained at 
home until December 8, 1887, when he was 
married to Ida Isabel Penfield, who was born 
in the town of Har|3ersfield, January 12. 
i860, and was the daughter of Da\id PenfieUI. 
Her father died in January, 1893, at the age 
of seventy-three. He was a native of Har- 
persfield, and was a son of David Penfield, 



.Sr., and Boadicea Scoville, both of Danbury, 
Conn. Coming to Delaware County with his 
brothers, they here manufactured the famous 
Penfield axe. Mrs. Iila Isabel Ogden was 
etiucated in the Delaware Literarv Institute, 
and taught school for three terms. After re- 
maining one \i-ar on the old farm, she and 
her Inisband came to their ]. resent home and 
farm of ninety-five acres, which the\- bought 
in 1889. Phey lia\e one child, Chauncey, 
three years old, named fnr his grandfather. 
Mr. Ogden is a Republic;ni xoter; and he 
and his wile are members of the |-"ranklin 
Congregational church, in which he is a 
Deacon. He carries on a general farming 
business ami a dairy of fourteen cows He is 
a much esteemed citi/.en, and one of the rising 
young men of the county, being one to whom 
all look lor the fulfilment of much jiromise in 
the future. 




DSOX S. P).\X.\. who stands promi- 
nent among the prosjierous agricultur- 
ists of this countv, is an extensive 
landholder in the town of Walton, where he 
occu[)ies a fine farm on the south side of the 
Delaware Ri\er. about a mile and a half from 
the village. It is aiiiplv sii|)])lied with mod- 
ern taini Iniildings: ami his handsome resi- 
dence, which he erected in 1886, has a 
charming location on the ri\'er"s bank, over- 
looking the village below, and commanding 
])ictures([ue natural scenerw The birth of 
Mr. Dann having taken place on the parental 
homestead mar bv on March 25, 1849. he is 
now in the full vigor of manhood, and is con- 
tributing his share toward the advancement of 
the industrial and business interests of his 
native town. 

His paternal grandparents were Ebene/er 
and -Sarah Dann, of Connecticut, the former 
of whom was liorn on Julv 25. 1768, and the 
latter on October 10, 1770. They reared the 
following children —- Amaii:ili, .Sarah, Phtebe, 
IChenezer, Lnoch. Asa, ^latthew, Darius, and 
Harve\'. Darius Dann came to Delaware 
Couiitx' before his rnaniage. and in the town 
of I'ranklin learned the hatter's trade of a 
man by the name of Northrup. .After work- 
ing at his trade for some time, he came to 



S8 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Walton, and, purchasing the tract of land 
known as the Goodrich farm, engaged in gen- 
eral farming, living here nearly half a cen- 
tury, passing away September 9, 1892, in his 
eighty-ninth year. He married twice. On 
September 23, 1830, he wedded Minerva See- 
ley, a daughter of Abijah Seeley, of Franklin. 
She was a faithful member of the Congrega- 
tional church, and died on the old homestead, 
September 21, 1851. She bore her husband 
five children, namely: Sterling S., deceased; 
Julia, who married P. F. Sprague; Theron, 
deceased; Ellen M., who married Silas Brad- 
ley for her first husband, after his death be- 
coming the wife of A. N. Tracy; and Edson, 
the subject of this sketch. On November 20, 
1855, Darius Dann married for his second 
wife Almeda Beers. 

Edson S. Dann was but two years old 
when his mother died. He remained with his 
father until twenty-two years of age, assisting 
in the necessary labors of the farm. He re- 
ceived the rudiments of his education in the 
district school, afterward becoming a student 
of Walton Academy. He acquired while on 
the home farm a practical experience in the 
art of agriculture that was of incalculable 
benefit to him in after years. After his mar- 
riage he settled on the farm where he now 
resides, and which he had previously pur- 
chased of William Marvin, it having in 
former times been known as the Case farm. 
Besides this property, which contains one 
hundred and twenty-five acres of excellent 
land, Mr. Dann owns the valuable parental 
homestead near by, which consists of two 
hundred and fifty acres. On these farms 
there are three substantial dwellings. Mr. 
Dann devotes his attention principally to 
stock-raising and dairying, keeping about 
forty cows, horses, and young stock, raising 
all the hay he needs and having some to 
spare, his farms being among the most pro- 
ductive of any in the vicinity. His fine 
cattle are of a native breed, producing large 
quantities of nuik, which he sends to the 
creamery. 

Mr. Dann was united in wedlock May 29, 
1872, to Miss Ella E. Pierson. who was born 
in Walton, December 2, 1850. Her father, 
Joseph M. Pierson, was born February 25, 



1820, in the town of Saratoga, and on Febru- 
ary 2, 1848, he married Priscilla R. Lyon, 
who was born in Stamford, July 28, 1824. 
Mr. and Mrs. Pierson, who reared three chil- 
dren — Charles J., a farmer; George J., a 
worker in the Novelty works; and Mrs. Dann 
— still live in the village of Walton. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Dann has been 
brightened by the advent of two intelligent 
and promising children. The elder, George 
J., born March 13, 1874, was graduated from 
Walton Union School with honors, when 
eighteen years old. He then entered Union 
College at Schenectady, and, having passed 
through the Sophomore class with a high 
rank, is now a member of the Junior class, 
and will be graduated in 1896. Florence E., 
born December 21, 1879, 's now a student in 
the Walton High School, where she has a fine 
record for good scholarship. Mr. Dann is 
one of the leading citizens of his community, 
and for two years has served as Highway 
Commissioner. In politics he has usually 
supported the Republican ticket. He and his 
wife, and also his son, are among the most 
esteemed members of the Methodist church, 
in which he has been Steward for many years. 



/§>, 



FORGE BARLOW, a highly re- 
V ji) I spected member of the agricultural 
community of the town of Stamford, 
N.Y., is a man who from a modest beginning 
has worked his own way up in the world to a 
good position, socially and financially, among 
his fellow-citizens, and who by his upright 
life has secured their kindly regard and con- 
fidence. Mr. Barlow is a worthy representa- 
tive of the native-born citizen, having first 
opened his eyes to the light September 14, 
1825, in the town of Stamford, which was 
also the place of nativity of his parents, Jesse 
and Lucretia (Rollins) Barlow, the former 
having been born January 12, 1789, and the 
latter November 14, 1788. 

Mr. Barlow comes of excellent New Eng- 
land stock. His grandfather, Edmund Barlow, 
who was one of the pioneer settlers of Stam- 
ford, having been born in Connecticut, came 
here when this part of the country was an 
almost pathless wilderness, with an occasional 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



59 



opening, whence tlie smoke lioni the chimney 
of some pioneer's cabin niigiit be seen. lie 
clearefl a farm, ])lacing it in a good condition, 
and continued its cultivation until the time of 
his death while in the prime of life. His 
widow survived him many )ears, living to a 
ripe old age. They reareil eight children, but 
none arc now living. 

Jesse Barlow, who was reared on the pa- 
rental farm, was of invaluable assistance from 
the time he was old enough to wield the a.\e 
or spade, and performed his full share in the 
pioneer labor of felling the trees and improv- 
ing the land. He became a farmer from 
choice, and, devoting his wht)le time and 
attention to agriculture, became very success- 
ful. He lived sixty-four years of useful life, 
dying October 14, 1854. His faithful wife 
preceded him to the golden shore, passing 
quietly away November 27, 1853. Both par- 
ents were conscientious members of the Epis- 
copal church, and in politics he was a zealous 
advocate of the princijjles of the Democratic 
party. Of the nine children born to them two 
are now living, namely: George, of Stamford; 
and Edmund, a resident of the village of 
Hobart. The names of the deceased are as 
follows : Mary Ann, Burr, Aaron, Betsey, 
Samuel, William, and Eunice. All of these 
grew to maturity excepting William, who died 
young. 

George Barlow was reared and educated in 
the place of his birth, attending its district 
schools, and assisting his parents on the 
homestead until the time of his marriage. 
He subsequently bought the home property, 
where he resided for some years, engaged in 
general farming. Selling that, Mr. Barlow 
bought the farm where he ni!W resides, taking 
possession of it April i, i<S68. It contains 
one hundred acres of well-tilled and produc- 
tive land, which he has furnished with new 
and substantial buildings, besides adilirg 
other necessary improvements. He carries 
on mixed husbandry, paying a good deal of 
attention to dairying, which is a very impor- 
tant branch of his industry. He still resides 
on the farm, but has given up its management 
to his son, William S. Barlow. 

Mr. Barlow was married October 27, 1S53, 
to Mary P. Taylor, a native of Stamford, 



where she was born November 20, 1827. 
Her father, Ilezekiah Taylor, was a cooper by 
trade, and when a young man was united in 
marriage with I'lKJcbe Beers, who became the 
mother oi .Mrs. Barlow. The ha]i|)y union of 
Mr. and .Mrs Barlow was made still more 
bright by the birth of three children — Mary 
-Ann, William S., and b'annie I'.. Mary 
.Ann, the wile ot Kosuell Barlow, lives in 
Stamford, where her husband is engaged in 
farming. William S.. who earrii's on the 
home farm, married lunma J. Hubljard, a na- 
tive of Jefferson, Schoharie Countv, and a 
daughter of Lucius and Jerusha C. (Havens) 
Hubbard, who now make their home with her. 
Mr. llubb/ard was formerly a carjjenter, but 
is now retired from the active pursuits of life. 
b'annie IC. is the wife of George .M. More, a 
marble dealer of Hobart. 

The life of Mr. liarlow has not been with- 
out its sorrows, his most severe atlliction hav- 
ing been the loss of his beloved com])anion, 
who tleparted this life May 6, 1893. Al- 
though not a confirmed invalid, Mrs. Barlow 
had never fully recovered from injuries which 
she received in October, 1882, when riding 
with her husband and Mrs. .Augusta I""oot. 
riiev were struck bv a train while crossing 
the track, Mrs. l~oot being killed outright, 
Mrs. Barlow injured se\'erel_v, while Mr. Bar- 
low had a \ery narrow esca])e trom death. 
Both horses were killed. In his i)(ditical 
views Mr. Barlow is a warm advocate of the 
princijiU-s of the Democratic i)arty. Relig- 
iouslv, lie is an I-".piscopalian, and is a Warden 
of the church in Hobart, of which his wife 
was also an esti'emed communicant. 




RL.ANDO GOULD is a farmer In- 
calling, and the owner of a valuable 
homestead on the West Jirook road in 
the town of Walton. He is a native 
of Delaware County, born in the town ol 
Walton, May 5, 1834: and during the many 
years that he has lived in this locality he has 
fulfilled his obligations as a good citizen, and 
has contributed his full quota toward the ad- 
vancement of the community. 

Mr. Gould is the scion of an excellent New 
England family, his grandfather, Eli Gould, 



6o 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Sr., having been a native of Connecticut, anti 
one of the pioneers of Walton. He removed 
here with his family, and, buying a tract of 
partly improved lind, erected a frame house, 
which was his home until his death. Eli 
Gould, Jr., was born on the homestead of his 
parents in Walton, and was reared a farmer 
and lumberman. After becoming of age he 
started as a farmer on his own account, living 
on his father's farm for several years. He 
then purchased a farm at the foot of Walton 
Mountain, three miles from the village of 
Walton, where he lived fur a number of years. 
Selling this, he then bought the farm where 
his son Orlando now lives, and here continued 
his agricultural labors, living to the good old 
age of fourscore years. His wife, Ophelia 
Wakeman, was a native of Connecticut, being 
the daughter of Epaphras and Abigail (Banks) 
Wakeman. She died at the venerable age of 
eighty-five years. Both she and her husband 
were members of the Methodist church. The 
names of the five children born to them were 
as follows: Alfred, Emily, Amelia, Adelia, 
and Orlando. 

Orlando Gould was the youngest child of 
the parental household. During the days of 
his youth he remained at home, assisting on 
the farm, receiving his elementary education 
in the district school, and afterward for two or 
three terms attending the Walton Academy. 
After his marriage Mr. Gould lived for seven 
years on a part of the homestead. In 1864 he 
entered into the livery business in Walton, 
buying out a stable owned by George Smith, 
devoting his time to that for the next two 
years. Disposing of his livery interests, he 
again went to New Jersey, where he lived for 
a year, learning the carpenter's trade, which 
he followed for a time. He then returned to 
Walton, and, buying out the interests of the 
other heirs, soon after took possession of the 
homestead. He now carries on a substantial 
business in general agriculture, dcvr 'ng his 
farm in the main to dairying, which i finds 
very profitable. 

The first wife of Mr. Gould, to whom he 
was united in 1857, was Mary St. John, who 
was one of six children born to John and 
Sarah (Acker) .St. John, early pioneers of 
Walton. She lived but a few years after their 



marriage; and Mr. Gould subsequently mar- 
ried Eliza Jane Kerr, the daughter of Joseph 
and Antoinette (Honeywell) Kerr. Of this 
last union two children have been born, Mary 
Anna and Erank Wheeler. In local affairs, 
Mr. Gould is a man of influence, and in what- 
ever position he has been placed has acquitted 
himself in a creditable and praiseworthy man- 
ner. In politics he supports the Republican 
party, and has served as Inspector of Elec- 
tions. He has been a stockholder and one of 
the directors of the Delaware County Bank. 
.Socially, he is an active member of the Sons 
of Temperance. Religiously, he and his fam- 
ily are members of the Congregational church, 
toward the support of which they are liberal 
contributors. 




RY ENGLAND, a retired mer- 
chant, has been an important factor 
in advancing the wealth and pros- 
perity of Delhi, whose position 
among the flourishing villages and towns of 
Delaware County is due to the men whose 
excellent judgment singled it out as an eli- 
gible point for business, it being situated in 
the midst of a country possessing vast re- 
sources ready for development. Prominent 
among the keen, far-sighted men who took 
advantage of this condition was the subject of 
this personal history, who for more than 
half a century has been closely identified with 
its interests, and taken an active part in pro- 
moting its welfare. He is a native of Eng- 
land, having been born on April 21, 1807, 
near the city of Bath, where his father, John 
England, carried on the trade of a cloth- 
dresser, dying, however, when comparatively 
young. He married Elizabeth Bleakley, a 
life-long resident of England, and a native of 
Bradford on the Avon. .She was a beautiful 
type of true womanhood, and a conscientious 
member of the Baptist church, her long life of 
eighty-nine years being spent in doing good. 
She reared the following children: Rachel, 
Ruth, Thomas, Henr)jf Isaac, and George. 

Until twenty years of age Henry England 
lived with his parents, obtaining a substantial 
education in the excellent schools of Bath, 
and a practical knowledge of the cloth- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



dresser's trade from bis fatlier. In the mean 
time lie won the affections of an attractive 
girl, Mary Knapp. one of the seven children 
of William and Mary Knapp, the former of 
whom was the superintendent of a large cloth 
manufactory; aiul theii- lianns were soon pub- 
lished. The same year, on May 6, 1827, 
their marriage was solemnized in the old 
church of Bradford Wells, England. The 
following day the youthful couple bade adieu 
to home and friends, and started on their wetl- 
ding trip, goinn by stage coach to the coast, 
and then crossing the Channel, and sjiending 
the first month of their huneymonn in France. 
Finally, embarking at Ha\re de Grace in a 
sailing-vessel, they came to America, their 
long voyage of nine weeks arid three days 
being one of pleasure. After landing in New 
York, the\- [iroceeded to Fishkill on tlu' Mud- 
son, thence, after a short stop, to Glenham, 
Dutchess County, where Mr. England liegan 
working at his trade. Five years later he re- 
moved to Poughkeepsie, where he continued 
at his occu[jation until iiS^Q. In that year he 
came to Delaware County, and, securing em- 
ployment with Mr. Titus, the owner of a fac- 
tory in Delhi, remaint'd with him ten years. 
Mr. England then entered into business as tiie 
American agent for Hatfield & Shaw, boot and 
shoe manufacturers of ICngland. In 1844 the 
firm dissolved partnership; and Mr. ICngland 
established a dry-goods business, opening a 
store on the corner of Meredith and Main 
.Streets, in the building now occupied l)y 
Groat & Ferguson, of whom a sketch is given 
elsewhere in this book. From that time until 
1884 Mr. England carried on an extensive and 
very lucrative business, occupying a conspicu- 
ous position among the leading merchants of 
the county. He then sold out to Ikdl & 
Honeywell, and has since lived retired from 
the active pursuits of life, enjoying the com- 
petency which he earneil l)y his many years of 
honorable labor. 

He has been twice married. (Jf his union 
with the bride of his youth were born three 
children — Theophilus, Hemy J., and Erne- 
line. Henrv J., who married Elizabeth 
Barns on January i, 1852, now resides in the 
South; and his househoUi includes five chil- 
dren — Mary, Charles, Augustus, Libbie, and 



Jessie. Of these, Mary married lulgar Wat- 
kins: and they have two children - Bessie 
and Harry. Libbie married James G. Jester, 
of Delhi. Augustus married Jennie Covert; 
and they have one child, Henry. 1-lmeline, 
the youngest child, married Thomas Carter, 
the pastor of a Methodist church; and they 
are the i)arcnts of four children — Josie, 
Annie, George, and Harry. Theophilus, who 
was born October 2, 1834, was educated in 
the schools of Fergusonville, and was con- 
nected with his father in the dry-goods busi- 
ness until 1 861, when, inspired by an earnest 
and ]Kitriotic zeal, he raised a company of one 
luunhed men from among the best and most 
chivalrous of Delhi's population, and on Oc- 
tober 21 went to the front as Captain of Com- 
pany I, Eighty-first Regiment, New York 
Volunteer Infantry. He was as brave and 
true-heartetl an officer as ever drew a sword, 
and for gallant conduct and meritorious ser- 
\ices was ])romoted to the rank of Lieutenant 
Colonel. He showed his valor in several 
hard-fought Ijattles, anKjng which might be 
mentioned those of South Mountain, Antie- 
tam, Fredericksburg, the ad\'ance on Feters- 
burg, and many others. While passing over 
the battlefield after a severe engagement on 
June 18, i86j, ami when stooping to give a 
gray-coaled private from the Rebel army a 
cirink from his canteen, he was shot by a 
sharpshooter, receiving his death wound. He 
was loved, honored, and respected by every 
man in his regiment : ami his body was ten- 
derly cared for and subsequently brought 
home, and is now interred in the beautiful 
cemetery of Delhi. He was the idolized 
child of his father, who has never full)' recov- 
ered from the shock of this sudden bereave- 
ment. The Grand Army Post of Delhi takes 
its name from the menioi-v of this heroic 
soldier, 

A few nioiuli> alter liie io>,^ oi this beloved 
son, soirow again laid its chastening hand 
ui)on Mr. ICngland in the death of his wife, 
who was taken from him, after a blessed com- 
l):inionship of more than thirty-five years, on 
the 25th of October. 1862. In her daily life 
she e.\em])lified the teachings of the Methodist 
church, of which she was a consistent member. 

Mr. England subsequently formed a matri- 



62 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



monial alliance with Mrs. Margaret Beller, 
widow of the late James E. Beller, and the 
daughter of Henr)- C. and Magdalen (Becker) 
Shaver, life-long residents of Schenevus. 
Her mother died at the age of sixty-two years, 
and her father at the venerable age of eighty- 
two years. Both of the parents were mem- 
bers of the Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. 
England attend the Methodist Episcopal 
church, of which he is a member, having been 
one of the organizers, and in which he has 
held all the offices. 

Mr. England is a straight and stanch Re- 
publican. He has filled several of the more 
important offices of the town, and served as 
Justice of the Peace for many years. He has 
always been a leader among men, and was 
for years a stockholder and a director in the 
bank. The beautiful home occupied by Mr. 
and Mrs. England was built in 1862, and is 
one of the most complete and attractive resi- 
dences in the village. 




AMUEL M. WHITE, a practical and 
prosperous farmer of the town of 
Tompkins, was born in the town of 
Kortright, September 10, 1838. 
He is of Irish descent, his parents, James and 
Catherine (Pursell) White, having been born 
in the Emerald Isle, the former in the year 
1793 and the latter in 1798. In 1S18, soon 
after their marriage, they emigrated to Amer- 
ica, landing in New York City after a voyage 
of fourteen weeks. They proceeded directly 
to Kortright, where Mr. White bought one 
hundred and fifty acres of land, on which many 
improvements had already been made. He 
labored with unceasing energy, and, as time 
passed on, bought other land, owning at the 
time of his death a v'aluable farm of two hun- 
dred and fifty acres and being classed among 
the leading farmers of the town. Politically, 
he was identified with the Democratic party, 
and held liberal views in regard to religious 
matters; while his good wife was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. They 
were the parents of nine children, five of 
whom are now living, as follows: James, a 
farmer, lives in Unadilla. John, also en- 
gaged in farming, resides in Kortright. 



Susan, the widow of John B. Burdick, lives 
in Davenport. Samuel M. lives in Tomp- 
kins. Amelia is the wife of K. N. Thomj)- 
son, a farmer of Meredith. The deceased 
are: Edward, who died when sixteen years 
old; Mary, who passed away at the age of 
twenty years; Henry, who died when forty- 
five years old; and Catherine, at the age of 
fifty-one years. 

Young Samuel spent the earlier part of his 
life in the town of Kortright, obtaining his 
elementary education in the district schools, 
and afterward attending the Del-hi Academy 
two terms. He remained under the parental 
roof-tree until twenty-nine years of age, work- 
ing most of the time on the home farm, al- 
though for three years he worked out as a 
farm laborer, receiving for his wages three 
hundred dollars a year, a portion of which he 
saved. In 1871 Mr. White purchased the 
farm where he has since resided, and which 
was known at that time as the Brundage farm. 
To the eighty acres that then constituted the 
farm he has since added by purchase, and now 
has a beautiful homestead of one hundred and 
seventy acres. Here he is interested in gen- 
eral farming and dairying, keeping twenty- 
four cows and young cattle, the proceeds of 
his dairy yielding him an annual income of 
one thousand dollars. He also makes a spe- 
cialty of raising sheep, having a fine flock of 
twenty-six, of the Shropshire breed. 

Mr. White was united in marriage October 
15, 1867, to Catherine M. Hammond, born in 
Delhi, April 5, 1848, being a daughter of 
William and Maria (Burgett) Hammond, both 
natives of Delaware County. Her father was 
born in Delhi in 1806, and her mother in 
Davenport in 1812. William Hammond's 
father, Gideon Hammond, served in the Revo- 
lution, and afterward became one of the pio- 
neer settlers of the town of Delhi, where he 
took up a tract of wild land, and made his 
home thereon until his death. 

Mr. William Hammond is stil) living on 
his farm in Delhi, and is an active, hearty 
old gentleman, bearing well his burden of 
eighty-eight years. He has always been an 
industrious and energetic man of business, 
evincing excellent judgment in the manage- 
ment of his affairs. In religious matters he 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



('?. 



is liberal, and in politics is an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat. Mrs. Hammond passed to her 
rest in 1868, being then but fifty-six years 
old. Three of the children born of their 
union are yet living, as follows: David (i., 
who lives in I'eoria County, 111.; Walter W., 
on the home farm in Delhi: Catherine M., 
Mrs. White. Their other children were: 
Harmon .S., who enlisted to serve his country 
in the late Civil War, in the Sixth New Jer- 
sey N'olunteer Infantry, and died in Ander- 
sonville Prison, aged twenty-five years; and 
Hulda A., the wife of J. D. Gardener, who 
died at the age of fifty-one years. 

Mr. and Mrs. White have three children 
living, namely: Florence A., born June 26, 
1872; Marsha M., born July 25, 1880; and 
Susan H., born April 16, 18S6. A son, 
William H.. born September 22, 1875, passed 
to the life eternal on February 17, 1891. 
Mr. White is one of the useful and valued 
citizens of his town, and is contributing his 
full share toward its prosperity and advance- 
ment. Mrs. White is a conscientious member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is 
liberal in his religious views. In politics 
Mr. White is a sound Democrat, and invari- 
ably casts his vote in support of the principles 
of that party. Socially, he is a member of 
St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 289, A. l'\ & A. M.. 
at Hobart. 



AMES H. JENKINS, a prosperous 
lumber merchant of I'nion Grove, was 
liorn April 14, i860, at the family 
home on Harkerboom Creek, in the 
town of Andes, Delaware County. His par- 
ents were Anson and Sarah (Mekeel) Jenkins. 
Anson Jenkins was born on December 3, 
1833, in Roxbury, and was the son of James 
and Polly (White) Jenkins. His brothers and 
sisters were Alonzo, Nathan. David, Egbert, 
Delilah, Elephan, Lucinda, Ella, and Ange- 
lina. James Jenkins was in several different 
occupations in his younger life ; and in 184c), 
a number of years after his marriage, he 
bought one hundred and thirty acres of new 
land in the town of Andes, where in company 
with John .Mekeel & Son he built a saw-mill 
on the Harkerboom Creek. Here thev sawed 



their lumiier and rafted it down the river to 
Philadelphia. To this estate he afterward 
added two hundred and seventy acres, on 
which he worked till his death, at the age of 
seventy-two years. He was a man of great 
activity, accumulating quite a large property, 
the care of which during his life occu|)ied his 
whole attention. In ])olitics he was a Repub- 
lican. His widow now lives with her son 
Nathan at Union Grove. 

Anson Jenkins, who came with liis father 
to Andes, here grew to manhood, and worked 
at clearing the land and running the saw-mill. 
He married Sarah Mekeel, daughter of John 
Mekeel. This latter gentleman, already 
spoken of as the partner of the elder Jenkins, 
was born October 6, 1798, and was the son of 
Lewis and Mary (Birch) Mekeel, natives of 
Connecticut, who came from there to the town 
of Middletown, and settled on a farm of one 
hundred acres. Their children were John, 
Charles, (ieorge, Phebe, Martha, Betsy, and 
Axie. They were members of the Baptist 
church, anil Mr. Mekeel was a Democrat in 
[)olitics. 

The children of Anson Jenkins were: John 
W., deceased; James IL; and Emery, of 
whom a sketch, with further account of the 
father and grandfather, may be found on an- 
other page. James H. grew up in the town 
of Andes, and was educated in the district 
schoid. .'\t the age of twenty-two he married 
Inez J., daughter of James H. and Melissa 
(Miner) Davis, farmers on Tremperskil in 
the town of Andes. Mr. Jenkins bought of 
Mr. Hitt a house below his saw-mill, which 
was built bv Harris Ilulbert. This he has 
entirely remodelled, and here he dwells near 
his business. The work at the saw-mill is in 
a flourishing condition, about two hundred 
thousand feet of his own lumber being run, 
beside much custom work. The manufacture 
of shingles and laths forms an important 
branch of his industry, which also includes 
planing and matching boards. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins have one child, a son 
Roy, born October 6, 1882. They are mem- 
bers of the Episcopal church, and he is a 
stanch upholder of Republican principles. 
Mr. Jenkins is widely known throughout this 
section for his extensive lumber interests, and 



64 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



personally is held in high regard for his 
straightforward business ways and manly 
character. He is much respected, and is one 
whose opinion and advice in regard to mate- 
rials for carpentry and cabinet-work arc highly 
valued. 




LBERT O. .SCOTT, attorney-at-law of 
Croton, Delaware County, N.Y., is a 
gentleman who possesses rare quali- 
fications for his profession, and enjoys a well- 
established reputation as an able counsellor 
and advocate. He is a grandson of Caleb 
Scott, a Connecticut farmer who fought in the 
Revolution, and three years before his death, 
at seventy-four years of age, received a pen- 
sion from the government. In 1812 he and 
his wife, Phebe (Webb) Scott, w^ith their 
two-year-old child, Harvey, left the land of 
their birth and removed to the town of Frank- 
lin, N.Y. 

In 1 83 1 Harvey Scott married Miss Mary 
Blair, who was born in Aurora, Portage 
County, Ohio, daughter of Elam and Anna 
(McOnoughey) Blair. This worthy couple 
were natives of Hampden County, Massachu- 
setts, whence in 181 1 they moved to Ohio, 
where they remained but one year, after which 
they returned eastward, and engaged in farm- 
ing in Stamford, Delaware County, and later 
in Jefferson, Schoharie County. Mr. Blair 
died in 1865, at the advanced age of eighty- 
five, his wife surviving him nine years. Mr. 
and Mrs. Blair were blessed with nine chil- 
dren, of whom these four daughters still live: 
Mrs. Scott, the mother of the subject of this 
sketch; Angeline Blair, a maiden lady of 
Franklin Village, aged eighty; Arvilla, who 
taught in the public schools for sixty-one 
terms, but retired seven years ago, and now 
lives in Croton; and Mrs. Juliet Shepard, a 
widow lad}', who lives in Croton. 

Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Scott spent most of 
their wedded life on the farm which Mr. 
Scott's father bought eighty-two years ago; 
and here, on November 10, 1891, they cele- 
brated the si.xtieth anniversary of their mar- 
riage. On this joyous occasion there were 
present two of the ladies who had acted as 
bridesmaids at the wedding — Mrs. Scott's 



sister and Mrs. Hine (Nell Green); and it is 
needless to say that they occupied the places 
of honor next to the bride and groom. At 
the death of Harvey Scott, the farm of one 
hundred and sixteen acres adjoining the old 
homestead was left to his son Elbert. Mrs. 
Harvey Scott is still living, in her eighty- 
third year, spending the summers with her son 
Elbert in Croton, and going to her other son 
at Oneonta for the cold, hard winters. She is 
a well-preserved lady, being still active both 
in mind and body. 

Elbert O. Scott was born March 6, 1839, 
in Franklin, where he attended the district 
school until about fourteen years old, after 
which he entered the academy, and at eigh- 
teen began the study of law. In i860 he was 
admitted to the bar, for which he was fully 
prepared one year earlier, but had not reached 
the required age. Previous to this, he had 
been in charge of the ofifice of Judge Lamont 
in Schoharie County during the five months" 
absence of the judge at the meeting of the 
legislature. For one year he remained in 
this office, practising on his own responsibil- 
ity. In 1863 he left for New York City, 
where, in company with his brother, he be- 
came a salaried attorney for Henry A. Burr, 
which position he occupied for three years. 
After one year in business with Major J. B. 
Caryl in Candor, Tioga County, he opened an 
office for himself in that flourishing village, 
and continued to practise his profession with 
no other help than his own well-balanced 
brains, remaining there for twenty-two years. 
During his residence in Candor, Mr. Scott 
was a candidate for Special County Judge; 
but, as he was a Democrat and the county 
Republican, he was defeated, although in his 
own district he stood far in advance of the 
other candidate. Mr. Scott now spent a year 
in practice in Owego, and in the spring of 
1889 removed to Croton. 

In i860 Mr. Scott married Miss Anna R. 
DeGraff, of Schoharie County; and two sons 
have been born to them: Harry D., a com- 
mercial traveller in Syracuse, who is married 
and has one son; and William H. Scott, an 
accomplished electrician, who for several 
years has occupied a responsible position at 
Fishkill on the Hudson. 



BIOGRAPHICAL RKVIF.W 



^■S 



An honorable man, hi'^^lily intellectual and 
strongly practical, Mr. Scott stands in the 
front rank of his profession: and the high 
regard in which he is held gives abundant 
proof of his ability as a lawyer and his strong 
and noble character. 




]\IASA I'ARKICR COOK. wh,. has 
converted his home at I>utternut 
Grove into a most delightful sum- 
mer hostelry, which is well jjatron- 
ized by the inhabitants of the neighboring 
cities, is one of the best-known and most jjop- 
ular citizens of the town of Colchester. He 
is a great-grandson of Jnhn Conk, who came 
to America as an luiglish snldier, and was 
wounded at the battle of Monmouth. 

During his confinement in a hospital John 
Cook met Miss Doll)- Parker, whom he after- 
ward married, and who became the mother of 
four children — Daniel, Joseph, j'nidence. 
and Catherine. He lived for a short time at 
Collicoon, Sullivan County, where he was en- 
gaged in the lumber business, and whence he 
moved to Pepacton in the town of Colchester, 
there building a log house and barn. The 
family, being subsequently attacked by Inil- 
ians. were obliged to flee for their lives, leav- 
ing the redskins to carry off all of their 
earthly possessions which were of any \alue 
and to burn all tlie buildings on the jilace. 
After peace was again restt)red, John Cook 
returned to the old location, which was unusu- 
ally attractive, rebuilt the demolished house 
and barn, cleared the land, and raised grain 
and cattle. He remained there for several 
years, but in 1797 sold the farm, and with his 
family and some stock crossed the mountain 
to Beaver Kill, where he l)ought one hundred 
and sixty acres of land, which he cleared, 
erecting buildings, and sending the logs down 
the river to Philatlelphia. Hears, deer, 
wolves, and panthers were frequently killed, 
the two former for food, the latter to prevent 
their depredations. A herd of elks, at first 
twelve in number, which lingered near the 
clearing, for some time su[iplied the familv 
larder with game. Trout, also, were very 
plentiful in the neighboring brooks and creeks, 
and furnished an agreeable and wholesome 



article of diet. This was fortunate, as, al- 
though John Cook raised grain on his farm, 
he was obliged to carry it to Kingston to 
be ground, the nearest mill being in that 
town. The journey to this mill and return 
occupied four days, and so was only made 
when absolutely necessary. John Cook made 
his home at Heaver Kill for the remainder 
of his days, but died at Downsville while 
on a visit to his daughter, at the advanced 
age of eighty years, his wife also living to be 
very old. 

Joseph, son ot John and Dolly Cook, was 
born in 1777, at Collicoon, Sullivan County, 
where he grew to manhooil, and married Miss 
Illeanor Carrier, afterward settling at Lib- 
erty in the same county. They were the 
parents of four children — Halsey, Munoris, 
Alonzo, and Liicretia. At Liberty Joseph 
Cook built a hotel, of which he was proprietor 
for ten years, at the end of which period he 
returned to the old homestead, and with the 
assistance of his brother operated the farm 
there, being at the same time engaged in the 
lumber business. He was a volunteer in the 
War of 1812, taking part in the engagements 
at Brooklyn and Sackett"s Harbor. When 
peace was declared, he once more returned to 
his old occupation, and devoted much of his 
leisure to hunting, killing over four hundred 
deer, which with other game he exchanged 
for groceries. He was an ardent Demo- 
crat, and died, a firm believer in the prin- 
ciples of that party, in 185 1, his wife living 
until 1S79. 

Halsey, eldest son of Joseph Cook, was 
born at Liberty Village in 1820, and removed 
with his parents in 1832 to Heaver Kill, 
where he was educated in the common schools, 
and followed the occupation of his father, that 
of a lumberman and farmer, in which he was 
\ery successful. Hy patient labor and eco- 
nomical living he managed to accumulate 
enough money to purchase a farm of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres near that of his father, 
which he also bought some time later, and 
was then the possessor of seven hundred acres. 
Halsey Cook married I'llsie Lawrence; and 
they had two children: Amasa Parker, the 
subject of this notice; and iCmily, who was 
born July 21, 1S5", .,1 in;,-,! H,ii-f,,n r,„,i:. 



66 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



and died in 1875, leaving one daughter, 
Viola. Halsey Cook resided on his farm 
until his death in 1867. He was a Republi- 
can, and always voteil with that party. His 
wife passed away in 1880. 

Amasa Parker Cook was born February 8, 
1847, and was but four years of age when he 
came to his present home, where he was 
reared to manhood, and received his education 
in the common schools of the town. His days 
were devoted to the work on the farm and 
lumbering, and his evenings he spent in 
studying and reading. By this means he be- 
came well informed and a good business man. 
He began to ship his lumber to Philadelphia 
when he was but twenty years of age, sending 
one thousand dollars' worth down the river 
in a year. For five years he continued in this 
business, cutting the trees himself. 

When twenty-eight years of age, he married 
Rebecca, daughter of William Davidson, who 
lived on Campbell Mountain, and had six 
children — Charles, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Will- 
iam, Nettie, and Fannie. William Davidson 
was the son of William Davidson, Sr., who 
was the father of seven children — John, 
James, Thomas, William, Nelson, Walter, 
and Nettie. Mr. and Mrs. A. Parker Cook 
are the parents of four sons, namely : Har- 
mon, born December 22, 1875, a pupil at 
Walton Academy; George C., born February 
10, 1S78: Edmond, who was born August 21, 
1880; and Walter, born June 24, 1885. 

Mr. Cook owns one hundred and eighty-two 
acres of farm land and a fine, large house, 
where he accommodates twenty-five summer 
boarders, the situation of the estate on the 
bank of Beaver Kill giving exceptional facili- 
ties for fishing and other sports. He has 
erected commodious barns, and he keeps on 
the premises ten choice Jersey cows. This 
pleasant summer resort is about one and one- 
half miles from the railway station, Cook's 
P'alls, and during the heated season is well 
filled with city residents, who seek the cool 
and quiet of country life. Mr. Cook is an 
earnest member of the Prohibition party, in 
whose cause he is an able champion. He is 
an energetic, practical man, whose success in 
life is largely due to his own untiring efforts, 
who performs his duties as a citizen in a con- 



scientious manner, and enjoys the esteem and 
good will of his townspeople. 



tp)Tl-:CTOR .SHAW is a native of Ham- 
l-^-l den, Delaware County. N.Y., antl an 
li s I influential and worthy citizen of 

^-^ that town, for the welfare of which 
he is ever laboring. He is of Scotch ances- 
try, being a son of Donald Shaw, who was 
born in Argyle, Scotland, in 1788, and was 
brought to America by his parents when but 
nine years of age. Twenty-four years later 
he married Janet McNaught, who was also 
Scotch, being a native of Dunbartonshire on 
Loch Lomond, where she was born in 1798, 
a daughter of John McNaught. She sailed 
for the New World in 18 17; and in 182 1 they 
were married in Bovina, and settled in Ham- 
den, on the flats one mile below the village, 
where they were at one time the possessors of 
one thousand acres of land. 

They became the parents of nine children, 
of whom six are still living, two sons and one 
daughter having died in the prime of life. 
One son, Donald Douglas Shaw, was a brill- 
iant young lawyer, a graduate of Yale in the 
class of 1856, who studied his profession in 
Albany, and was elected Assemblyman, but 
died December 29, 1859, and was buried on 
the day when he would have taken his seat in 
the legislature. He was a genial, scholarly 
man, with prospects of a brilliant future, 
whose loss was keenly felt by a large circle of 
admiring friends made in his short but effec- 
tive career. Another son, Augustus Shaw, 
died of consumption, in Hamden, March 13, 
1861, at the age of twenty-nine years. The 
children now living are: Alexander, a retired 
merchant, with a family at Delhi; Marshall, of 
Rock Lsland, 111., who was an ofificer in the 
Civil War, but was forced by illness to resign 
his commission; Hector, the subject of this 
sketch; Edwin, a farmer near Hamden; Cath- 
erine, wife of Daniel Crawford; and Arthur, 
who married Jennie Bostwick, daughter of 
Marcus and Deborah (Kellogg) Bostwick, and 
is the father of four children. Donald Shaw, 
the father, died in September, 1865. His 
widow, Janet, is still living, and at ninety-six 
years of age her mind is yet clear. 




Thompson K. Walker, 



BIOGRAIMIICAI, REVIKVV 



69 



Ilcctor SIkuv was lioni in tlio villa>;c of 
Ilamdcn in I.S2.S, and received a common- 
school education. He lias been twice mar- 
ried. His first wife, Harriet Haslow, was the 
mother of two children, namely: Arabella, 
who died when fi\-e years of ai;e; and Malcom, 
an electrician in Albany, who is married and 
has a daii<;hter. On l'"ebruar)- 2, 1.S66, Mr. 
Shaw married Mis^, Rachel McClaren, of 
Haniden, daughter of David and C"atln'rine 
(Coon) McClaren, the father a nati\e of (Ilas- 
gow, Scotland, ami the mother of New ^'ork 
State. Mr. McClarcn was a farmei- in Ham- 
den, where he died in 1850, aged (ifty years. , 
His wife, Mrs. .Shaw's mother, survived him 
about thirty-two years, and passed away after 
reaching her sevent)-eigluh _\ear. Mrs. Mc- j 
Claren was the mothi-r of three daughters and 
one son, the latter dying when an infant of 
eighteen months. These daughters are : Mary 
C. wife of the Rev. George Hrown, of \\'al- 
ton: Mrs. Shaw; and hjiiily, wife of John 
Genimell, of New York City, who resides in 
.Syracuse. 

Mr. and Mrs. .Shaw are the parents of two 
children, as follows: David Alexander, who j 
was a student at Delhi Academy, a graduate 
of Philli]is Academy at Andover, Mass., and 
of the business college at I'oughkeepsie, and 
is now a book-keeper at Mishaw.aka, Iiul. ; j 
and Catherine, wife of the Rev. H. A. I'erci- 
val, a Presbyterian minister of Mishawaka. 
.Mr. .Shaw has lived in his large, ]deasant 
house in the \'illage foi- the last four years, 
his farm of three hundred and eighteen acres, 
three miles from Hamden, being occu|)ied bv 
one of his tenants. His wife is a member of 
the Presbyterian church, where she is a con- 
stant and interested attendant. Mr. Shaw is 
a Republican, of which party organization he 
has long been an active member. He is held 
in great esteem by his associates and fdlow- 
townspeople, whose interests he e\-ei- lias at 
heart, and for whose progress and improvement 
he is always ready to lend a helping hand. 




HOAH'SOX K. WAI.KI'.R, the genial 
and capable pi'oprietor of the Downs 
House at Downsville, N.Y., is a man 
of versatile talents and varied experience. 



among othei' things basing had much to do 
with educational matters. Hi- is a descend- 
ant, in the fifth generation, of l'hili|) Walker, 
who was of i'Jigiish ancestry, and whose son, 
Phili]), Jr., was a brave soldier in the Revo- 
lution, and afterward served as Town Clerk 
in the town of Rehoboth from 1787 to 1801. 
These facts sliow the character and tendencies 
of tlie early Walkers, and those who have fol- 
lowed have duly exemiilifiod the same. This 
I'liilij), Jr., was father of Thompson Walker, 
who was horn in Rhode Island, June 11, 
1786, and died May ij, 1842, in Roxbury, 
N.Y. He was a carpenter, and, coming to 
Roxbury in his early manhood, here followed 
his traile until his tle.itii. 

Uy his wife, Mary I,_\nch, he had four chil- 
dren — (leorge \V., D.miel 1.., Delia C, and 
Henry L. He was a Democrat, and a mem- 
ber of the Methodist l''[)iscopal church. 

Henry L. Walker was born in Roxbury, 
.Se])tember 6, 18 18, and was educated in the 
district schools, after which he started in 
business, first driving a team for Ishani 
J>r()thers, tanners and merchants, and after a 
}ear being promoted to a clerkshiji, in which 
he remained three years. He then went as 
clerk for Matthew (iriffin, and after three 
more 3'ears went into business with Harvey 
Keator, establishing himself in Kingston, 
Ulster County. .Many years later he went to 
Roxbury, and bought the old homestead and 
the farm connected with it, comprising in all 
about one hundred and forty acres. His wife 
was Allice Griffin, horn IMarch 10, 1814, a 
daughter of l'>.ekiel and Charlotte (White) 
(jrilTm. Her father was born April 24, 1776, 
and her mother on June 11, 1779, a daughter 
of John and Tabitha White. Mrs. Allice 
(iriffin Walker died January 10, 1887. Henry 
I,. Walker was an industrious and a very pros- 
|)erous man, and one who is well remembered 
for his great generosity. In politics he was 
a Reiniblican. He died February 13, 1890, 
and had two ciiildren — 'Thompson K. and 
Mar\- C, the latter of wdiom was born October 
18, 1854. and died February 4, 1874. 

Thompson K. Walker was born in Kings- 
ton, March 22, 1S49, and while yet a boy 
removed to the old home at Roxbur\'. There 
he attended the academy, and then finished a 



7° 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



full course at the Franklin Institute. He 
was book-keeper for Dr. Keator for a while, 
and when but twenty years old began teaching 
school at Olive, Ulster County, N.Y. Here 
he remained for two years, and then accepted 
the position of principal in the union graded 
school at Napanock in the same county. 
After holding this position for fifteen years, 
in 1883 he resigned, and engaged in the real 
estate and insurance business in Middletown. 
During this time he bought the Holding 
House property, and there for about two years 
he conducted a hotel. By this time an ac- 
complished landlord, thoroughly acquainted 
with the business of inn-keeping, he came to 
Downsville, and bought the Downs House, 
which is beautifully located among the hills 
and in close proximity to some of the best 
trout brooks in the country. What sportsman 
who makes his yearly visit to these pleasant 
streams does not know the hospitality of 
"mine host" of the Downs House? The 
place is well managed, everything being neat, 
orderly, and in good condition; and those 
travelling on business, as well as those seek- 
ing sport and recreation, are glad to lodge at 
this hostelry, the doors of which are always 
open to welcome the stranger. 

In 1 87 1 Mr. Walker married Evelyn M. 
Munson, . daughter of John H. and' Julia 
(Hodge) Munson. Her father, who was born 
in 1815, a son of Heman and Julia Munson, 
was a farmer in Delaware County. He and 
his wife raised a family of six children: 
Ainer, who resides at the old homestead; 
Albert H., who lives at .Sheridan; Milton D., 
of North Franklin; Dr. J. A. Munson, of 
Woodbourne; Mrs. Josephine McMinn, of 
Oneonta; and Mrs. Walker, of Down.sville. 
Heman Munson, father of John, married 
.Sarah Hecock, and came from the Flastern 
States, settling at Meredith. There they 
carried on their farm for about forty years, 
and thence moved to Oneonta, N.Y., where 
Mr. Munson died. His widow still lives in 
Oneonta. They were Univensalists, but John 
H. Munson's family are members of the 
Methodi.st F.piscopal church. The wife of 
John H. Munson, Julia Hodge, was a daugh- 
ter of John A. and Evelyn (Goodrich) Hodge, 
who raised a large family of children, namely: 



Julia, wife of John Munson; Rebecca, wife of 
Maj'ir Osterhout; Evelyn, wife of C. Clark, 
uf Owego; Lucretia, wife of I. Wilson, of 
Illinois; Lavinia; Walter, a Major in the 
late war; Henry and William, who died 
young; and John, a Lieutenant in Company 
K, One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York 
Infantry, now living in New Mexico, and 
practising medicine as well as being inter- 
ested in mining. Mrs. Munson is still living 
at Oneonta. She is a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church. 

Thompson K. Walker has one child, Harry 
L. Walker, born December 7, 1872, who is 
with his father in the hotel business, con- 
nected with which they also have a large liv- 
ery. Mr. Walker is a Republican and a man 
of liberal religious views, being ever ready 
to adopt those principles which embrace the 
most modern and progressive thought. Fra- 
ternally, he is a Mason, belonging to Downs- 
ville Lodge, No. 464, A. F. & A. M., 
Wawarsing Chapter, No. 286, Ellenville, 
N.Y., Rondout Commandery, No. 53, 
Rondout, N.Y., and Dewitt Clinton Consis- 
tory, No. II, Middletown, N.Y. He is also 
a member of Lancelot Lodge, No. 189, 
Knights of Pythias, Middletown, N.Y. He 
has shown marked ability for carrying on a 
line of business in which it is most difficult 
to please, his success being such as to win the 
plaudits of his patrons. A highly intelligent 
gentleman, possessing a well-.stored and well- 
trained mind, courteous, obliging, and genial, 
he has a happy faculty for making his guests 
feel at home, and for retaining them as 
friends. 

The portrait of Mr. Walker on another 
page will be recognized with pleasure by 
many who have tarried for a longer or shorter 
time under the hospitable roof of the Downs 
House, here perhaps first realizing the warm 
welcome of a wavside inn. 



IRAM K. STOUTENBURG, cash 
collector of the Adams Express 
1.9 I Company, and a Inisiness man of 

ability, is a native of Delaware 
County, having been born in Delhi on Octo- 
ber 14, 1842. The first of his paternal 




BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



7' 



ancestors to come to America was his great- 
great-grandfatlier, Jacobus Stoutenburjj;, who 
emigrated from HoHand early in the eigh- 
teenth century, in 171 7, :ind, settling in 
ICastern New York, became a pioneer of 
Dutchess County, where he purchas^'d land 
and' improved a farm. lie raised a large 
family: and among them was 'r(jbias Stouten- 
burg, father of Peter Stoutenburg, who was 
the grandfather of Hiram K. Peter Stouten- 
burg after his marriage moved still farther 
westward, coming to Delaware County and 
buying wild land in the town of Kortright, 
being among the earliest settlers of that town. 
Erecting the customary log cabin of the pio- 
neer, he spent many a long year in the ardu- 
ous labor of clearing his land and placing it 
under cultivation. He was, however, pros- 
pered in his unilertaking, and resided here 
until his death, at the ripe old age of ninety 
years. He married I.ydia Borden, who bore 
him twelve children: namely, William, I".d- 
ward, Tobias, Jackson, Alfred, Charles, Silas, 
Ann, Sarah, Eliza, Catherine, and Maria. 
His wife also spent her last years on the 
homestead, living to an advanced age. His 
mother, who after the death of her husband 
left her home in Dutchess County, to live 
with her grandson, William .Stoutenburg. 
lived to the remarkable age of one hundred 
and two years: and her venerable form is held 
in vivid remembrance by the subject of this 
sketch, her great-grandson. 

William Stoutenburg, eldest son of Peter 
and Lydia, was reared to agricultural pur- 
suits, remaining on the paternal homestead 
until attaining his majority. Following in 
the footsteps of his ancestors, he, too, became 
a pioneer, settling in the village of Delhi at a 
time when two or three houses sheltered its 
entire population. In addition to farming, 
he also followed the trade of a millwright: 
but he has long since retired from active life, 
and is now spending the sunset years of his 
life in comfort and plenty. The maiden 
name of his wife was Caroline Peake. She 
was a native of Delhi, and the daughter of 
Oliver and lUizabeth (Clark) Peake, who were 
of New England birtli. To them were born 
five children — Sarah, Maria, Hiram E., 
William C, and Jane. 'I"he latter died at 



eight years of age. .Sarah is the wife of 
A. M. Hurdick, a retired farmer of Delhi. 
Maria, the widow of George Ilutson, lives 
in the village of Delhi. William C. w;is 
wouniled at the Ixattle of the Wilderness, and 
soon afterward died from its effects, at Phila- 
delphia, Pa. The mother, a woman of much 
force of character, and a faithful membei- of 
the Baptist church, departed this life in 1886, 
at the age of threescore and ten years. 

Hiram E., the third child of his parents, 
and their eldest son, received a good educa- 
tion in the district schools and academy of 
Delhi, assisted in the management of the 
home farm until after the breaking out of the 
late Rebellion, when, in res]K)nse to his coun- 
try's call, he enlisted, September 15, 1861, 
in Company G, One Hundred and I-"irst 
Regiment, New York X'olunteer Infantry, 
under the command of Cajitain A. Huckham. 
This regiment belonged to the Third Army 
Corps, which was then commanded by (jeneral 
Heintzelman, afterward by General Sickles: 
and in December, 1862, it was consolidated 
with the Thirty-seventh New York Volunteer 
Infantry, commanded by Colonel Keeley, and 
Mr. .Stoutenburg became a member of Com- 
pany A, which was commanded by Captain 
Dougherty. In May, 1S63, the regiment was 
united with the I'ortieth New \'ork : and here 
Mr. Stoutenburg remained until September 
10. \^C>4, when he was rt'moved to the hos- 
pital, from there receiving his honorable dis- 
charge in the spring of 1865. He has a long 
and honorable war record, having been an 
active ])articipant in forty-two of the most 
hotly contested battles of the Rebellion, be- 
sides numerous skirmishes. 'I'he following 
are some of the most important battles in 
which he was engaged: with the One Hun- 
dred and I'irst New York at Fair Oaks, 
Seven Pines, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, 

' Chickahominy Swamp, White Oak Swamp, 
Charles City Cross-roads, Malvern Hill, sec- 

; ond Hull Run, Groveton, Chant illy, and I-'red- 
ericksburg: with the Thirty-seventh New 
York at Chancellorsville: with the I-"or- 
tieth New York at Anlietam, Healeton, 
Bermuda Hundred, Brandy Station, Bristoe 
Station, Callett"s Station. Cold Harbor, 
Culpeper, Deep Bottom, Gettysburg. H ■"!- 



72 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



son's Landing, Jerusalem Plank Road, 
Kelley's Ford, North Anna River, Peters- 
biiri(, Rapidan, Ream's Station, Snieker's 
Gap, South Mountain, Spottsylvania (1863 
and 1864), Sulphur Springs, Va., Wilderness, 
Wapping's Heights. A number of these 
were from one to four days" continuous fight- 
ing. 

Mr. Stoutenburg was promoted to the rank 
of Orderly Sergeant three times, but twice, 
on account of consolidation, was reduced. 
He, however, held that position at the time 
of being wounded, and was discharged as 
Orderly Sergeant of Company E, Fortieth 
New York Regiment. He was three times 
wounded during his army life, the first two 
wounds being slight; but the third was occa- 
sioned by a shot from a sharpshooter's rifle, 
which shattered the bone of the arm to such 
an extent that he was obliged to have it ampu- 
tated at the right shoulder joint, which neces- 
sitated a six months' stay in the hospital. 

Returning to Delhi after the cessation of 
hostilities, Mr. Stoutenburg was soon after 
elected Under-sheriff, a position which he 
held for three terms of three years each, from 
1865 to 1874. Since then he has been with 
an express company, first in the employ qf the 
National Express, and more recently in that 
of the Adams Express. He is well fitted for 
the responsible position of cash collector, 
which he is filling with such fidelity, being a 
most genial and accommodating man, with 
whom it is a pleasure to transact business, 
and one whose sterling integrity, and every- 
day honesty have gained for him the entire 
confidence of his employers and of the public 
in general. Mr. Stoutenburg is quite promi- 
nent in F.ngland Post, No. 142, Grand Army 
of the Republic, of Delhi, of which he was 
elected Commander in 1889, serving one year. 
He had previously been Quartermaster since 
1866, and still holds that position. 

The union of Hiram li. Stoutenburg with 
Miss Frances A. Hine, a daughter of Reiley 
Hine, of Franklin, was solemnized on Octo- 
ber 14, 1865. Their only child is a daughter, ; 
Estella M., who married John J. Burke, a > 
prominent business man of Delhi, of whom a 
sketch appears on another page of this vol- 
ume. Mr. and Mrs. Burke are the parents of i 



one child, a little daughter named Leda. 
Politically, Mr. Stoutenburg is a stanch sup- 
porter of the principles of the Republican 
party. Religiously, he and his family are 
valued members of the Second Presbyterian 
Church, and active laborers in the good works 
of that ortranization. 




DMUND H. ROSE bears a name that 
has long been known and highly re- 
spected in Delaware County. Among 
the pioneers of this section of the Empire 
State was one Hugh Rose, who came here 
from Scotland prior to the Revolutionary 
War. He settled in the town of Stamford, 
being the first to make his home on the 
stream of water that in his honor has since 
been known as Rose's Brook. Taking advan- 
tage of the water-power, he put up a saw and 
grist mill, the very first one in the vicinity, 
and for many years followed his former occu- 
pation of a miller. On his arrival he took 
up six hundred acres of land, but this he let 
revert to the government. He subsequently, 
however, acquired two hundred acres that 
are now included in the homestead of the 
subject of this sketch, his great-grandson. 
His mill was built of logs, as was also the 
house which sheltered himself and family. 
In his home on Rose's Brook he rounded 
out a full period of years, dying there at the 
age of eighty-six. He was a religious, God- 
fearing man, and one of the prime movers in 
organizing the Presbyterian church at Kort- 
right Centre. 

His son, Hugh Rose, the second, was born 
in Stamford, and was, like him, both a miller 
and a farmer. He and his family at first 
occupied the primitive log cabin, subsisting 
principally upon the game from the forest and 
the productions of their own land, and were 
clothed in "homespun," which was spun, 
woven, and fashioned into garments by the 
dexterous fingers of the good housewife. 
When he first moved into his humble habita- 
tion, it had neither doors nor windows; but 
the appearance of a panther led him to hasten 
his operations and hang the doors. He was 
persevering, and cleared a fine homestead, on 
which he resided until his departure from this 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



73 



life, at the age of sixty-four years. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth Barlow, who bore him ten chil- 
dren, of whom only one, luhmmd Rose, of 
Delhi, is now living. His wife survived 
him, living until seventy-three years old. 
Both of them were consistent members of the 
Reformed Presbyterian church at South Kort- 
right. In politics he was a Whig. 

The third Hugh Rose, son of the second 
Hugh, was l)orn on the farm which his fatlier 
cleared from the wilderness, and afterwartl 
succeeded him in its ownership. Toiling 
early and late to place his land under cultiva- 
tion, and adding somewhat to its acreage, he 
had at the time of his decease, when only 
forty-four years old, a farm of two hundred 
and forty acres. He married Isabelle BJakely, 
the daughter of William Blakely, of whom a 
sketch appears on another page of this volume. 
She survived him, dying on the old home- 
stead, at the age of sixty-four years. Of the 
four children born to them three are now liv- 
ing, as follows: James H., a resident of 
Stamford; Mrs. Gibson Grant, of Stamford; 
and Edmund H. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Rose 
were held in high esteem by all who knew 
them, and were valued members of the United 
Presbyterian church of South Kortright. Po- 
litically, he was a Republican. 

Edmund H. Rose was the youngest child of 
Hugh Rose, the third, his birth occurring 
August 14, 1855, on the farm where he now 
resides. He received the rudiments ot his 
education in the district school, and this was 
further advanced by an attendance at Walton 
Academy. Following in the pathway marked 
out by his honored ancestors, he has devoted 
his time and attention to the various branches 
of agriculture; and, having come into posses- 
sion of the old homestead, where his entire 
life has been spent, he has made constant and 
valued improvements, and owns now one of 
the finest estates in this locality. He has 
two hundred and eighty-eight acres of land, 
on which he has a comfortable residence and 
substantial farm buildings. His farm is de- 
voted chiefly to dairying, his fifty tine Jersey 
cows yielding him an average of eight cans of 
milk a day throughout the year. 

Mr. Ro'se and Miss Ida L. Kilpatrick were 
united in marriage on February 19. 1879. 



The home circle established by this pleasant 
union has been gladdened by the birtJi of five 
children, namely: Clarence A., born Sei)tem- 
ber 5, 1881; ICverc-tt Bruce, born July 23, 
1887; lulmund H. and Etliej J., twins, hovn 
January 13, 1889; and Anna Belle, born Au- 
gust 9, 1891. The parents of Mrs. Rose, 
Richard and Juliet (Dennison) Kilpatrick, 
were for many years esteemed members of the 
agricultural community of Kortright, wheri; 
her father's death occurred in 1880. His 
widow is still living, and resides in Stamford. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Rose are valued mem- 
bers (if the I'nited Presbyterian church at 
.South Kortright. In jiolitics he casts his 
vote with the Democratic ]xirty. He has 
shown good jutlgment in the management of 
his business and farming operations, and has 
met with excellent success. In the various 
relations of life he acquits himself well, sus- 
taining the character of an estimable and 
\-aluetl citizen, neighbor, and friend. 




RSON J. ELLS, of Walton, Dela- 
ware County, N.Y., is one of the old- 
est and most successful business men 
of this town, where he is the proprie- 
tor iif a large furniture establishment, and 
has won a well-deserved reputation as a man 
of ability, integrity, and upriglitness, the 
competency he is now enjoying being the re- 
sult of the assiduous labor of many years. 
The family name was formerly Fells, but was 
changed by the last generation, one "e" being 
dro]iped, making it Ells, as ajjove spelled. 

Jacob ICells, the father of the subject of 
this sketch, was born in New Canaan. Conn., 
in 1785, son of Moses Eells, who learned the 
trade of a weaver, at which he worked 
throughout his life, using, as was the custom 
in those early times, an old-fashioned iiand 
loom. Moses 1-Lells married Miss Comstock : 
and they were the parents of eight children, 
six of whom lived to rear families of their 
own. Both Moses ICells and his wife lived to 
be over ninety years old, not an uncommon 
occurrence in those times. 

In Colchester, Delaware County, in 1806, 
Jacob Eells married Miss Maria Halliday, 
who was born in Johnstown, but removed with 



74 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



her parents to Colchester when but three 
years of age. She was the daughter of Will- 
iam Halliday, a Revolutionary soldier, who 
served for seven years in the war, being held 
as a prisoner during a portion of that time. 
Although a man small of stature, he possessed 
wonderful strength, activity, and endurance. 
Tradition has it that he reaped grain with a 
sickle for ninety-six years in succession — an 
unparalleled record. He married Miss Hitt, 
and ten children were the results of this 
union. A few years before his death Mr. 
Halliday lost the sight of one of his eyes, but 
this misfortune did not prevent his being an 
attentive reader of the Bible to the last. He 
died at the extraordinary age of one hundred 
and four years, a Deacon of the Baptist 
church, in whose doctrines he was a firm 
believer. 

Jacob Eells and his wife began their domes- 
tic life in a most humble manner in Walton, 
he working at his trade of carpenter and cabi- 
net-maker, an occupation requiring the finest 
mechanical skill. Here were born their 
eight children, six daughters and two sons, 
tiamely : Alonzo, who died in 1835, aged 
twenty-two years; Antoinette, wife of Robert 
Shaw, whose death occurred in Laurel, Dela- 
ware; Louisa, wife of Sylvester Simpson, 
who dietl in Binghamton, N.Y., in 1S58; 
Cornelia, wife of Whiting Beebe, who has 
also passed away: Catherine, wife of Ceely 
Rood, of Binghamton; Orson J., the subject 
of this sketch; -Sally M., of Boardman, Wis., 
widow of Dr. C. R. Powers; and Harriet E., 
wife of Lowell Harding, of Binghamton. On 
March 30, 1876, Mr. Eells |)assed away, aged 
ninety-two years; and one year later his wife 
followed him to the eternal home, she beina: 
ninety-three years old. Both had been Con- 
gregationalists in early life, but later had 
adopted the Methodist faith. 

Orson J. Ells was born July 25, 181S, in 
Walton, Delaware County, where he attended 
the district school until fourteen years of age, 
when he began working at the trade of car- 
])enter and caliinet-maker, in which he was 
instructed by his father, with whom he re- 
mained until his marriage. This interesting 
event occurred on June 16, 1841, Miss Martha 
-Strong becoming his bride. She was a native 



of Eranklin, and daughter of Alfred Strong. 
Two daughters — Augusta and Estella — were 
born of this union. Augusta became the wife 
of A. S. Chamberlin, and died in 1876, at 
the age of thirty-two years, leaving one 
daughter, Cora Ells, now living in Seattle, 
Wash., the wife of William Perkins, a banker 
of that city. Estella is the wife of Hobart 
M. Cable, a member of the Cottage Organ 
Company, which operates a large factory in 
Chicago. Mr. Cable formerly lived in Mas- 
sachusetts, and was for three years a member 
of the State legislature, serving on several 
important committees. For nine or ten years 
he was a member of the School Board of Hyde 
Park, a suburb of Boston, and for three years 
was one of its Selectmen. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cable have three children, as follows: 
Martha, wife of Howard Morenus, who is em- 
ployed l:iy the Cottage Organ Company, and 
who resides in Chicago; Hobart, a lad of 
twelve years; and Mary, a bright little miss 
of ten summers. 

It is now nearly five years since Mr. Ells 
was bereft of his wife, her death, on the 7th 
of March, i8go, being the result of a severe 
fall on the 17th of January previous. His 
spacious residence, with its extensive lawn 
and fragrant garden, is one of the finest in 
Walton. Here Mr. Ells is quietly passing 
the eventide of life, enjoying the esteem and 
affection of neighbors and friends, his home 
being frequently enlivened by the visits of his 
daughter and frrandchildren. 



§AMES ABNER MORSE, a well-known 
carpenter of Halcottsville, in the east- 
ern part of Middletown, N.Y., was 
born on Hubble Hill, in this town, 
July 5, 1838, .son of Joseph and Albie C. 
(Ellis) Morse. His grandparents were John 
and Martha (Mead) Morse. His great-grand- 
father, Joseph Morse, was a native of Wales, 
and when a young man came to this country, 
and first settled on a farm in Connecticut, but 
afterward came to Delaware County, and set- 
tled on a farm at Batavia Kill. Four chil- 
dren survived him — John, Ira, Josejih, and 
Henry. 

John Morse, the eldest son of the emigrant, 



BIOGRAPHICAL RKVIEW 75 



left his home early in life, and took up a tract ; needed his services, the Rebellion not yet 

of land in the wilderness, which he cleared, I heini;- quelled, he enlisted in Conipanv (i, 

and lx't;an farniini;. lie lived in a loi;- house, I One Hundred and l'"iirty-fourlh Rej^inient, 

and endured many hardshijfs while endeavor- New \'ork X'olunteers, and served one year as 

ing to establish a home, beiui;- compelled to private. On his return, in 1865, sellinj; his 

go on foot forty miles to Kingston for sup- farm to his brother John, he bought a smaller 

plies. He married Martha Mead, whose place; and shortly afterward he and his father 

father was also a ])ioneer settler, and who be- bought a two-hundred-and-thirtv-atre farm in 

came one of the progressi\'e farmers of the .Schoharie County. 

ilistrict. Later ^Fr. Morse bought of Amos About this time Mr. Morse was married to 

Sanford a farm of three hundred acres at Hub- I Mary A. Owens, daughter of Thomas and 

ble Hill, where he sjient the rest of his life. linieline (.Sanford) Owens. Mr. Owens was a 

He dieil at the age of ninety-one, and his wife ^ well-known carpenter and millwright of Dela- 

at the age of eighty. Both were members of ' ware C'ounty. The maternal grandjjarents of 

the Baptist church, and in ])olitics Mr. Morse Mrs. Morse were members of the Baptist 

was a Whig. He left eleven children, three church, and lived to be about eighty years of 

sons and eight daughters — I'hiebe, Anna, age. They left five children: William R. ; 

Cynthia, Arenia, Sally, Marinda, Mercia, luiieline, Mrs. Owens: 1-Mecta; Phcebe: and 

Useabee, Joseph, .Xhner, and I"./ra. Ran.som W. Mr. Morse remained in Scho- 

Joseph Morse, son of John and Martha, was . haric County two years, and then sold his 
born at liatavia Kill. When a young man, he interest to his brother John, and bought a 
bought one-half of his father's three-hundred- farm at Hubble Hill, on which he lived fcjr 
acre farm at Hubble Hill, and lived on it for twenty years. During this time he did much 
many years. His wile was Albie C, daugh- to improve the land and the bui Idings thereon, 
ts.>r of IClijah and lumice Ellis, the former of greatly increased the value of the ])lace, mak- 
whom was a farmer of Delaware County. .She ing it one of the finest farms in that region, 
is still living in Ulster County, at the ad- I He finally sold it, and in 1890 bought a half- 
vanced age of eighty-four years. Mr. Morse acre of lan<l at Halcottsville. wlu're he built 
finally sold his farm at Hubble Hill: and a large double house, in which he and his 
with his son James he bought another one of family now live. At present he is success- 
two hundred anil thirty acres at West Cones- 1 fully carrying on the business of a carpenter, 
ville, Schf)harie County. Here he lived the I\Ir. and Mrs. .Morse have three children, 
rest of his life, dying at the age of sixty-five. The eldest. 1-^mma, born December i, 1867, 
Mr. and Mrs. Morse had nine children — John wife of Henry S. D.ivis, of Hubble Hill, has 
A., Jason A., James Abner, Jerome A., Mary • three children. The secoml ilaughter, Celestia 
J., Ezra J., I^lijah W., Hiram K., and lui- I J., was born November 18, 1870; and John, 
nice A. the only son, was born December 6, 1879. 

To return now to the subject of this sketch. ; In politics Mr. Morse is a Republican, and 

James Abner Morse received his education in always takes a lively interest in all public 

the common schools at Hubble Hill, .\nibi- matters. He and his wife are members of the 

tious and energetic, at the age of eighteen, Ba])tist church, in which they are active 

three years before attaining his majority, he ' workers. The\' are much devoted to their 

bought with his brother John a farm of one I home and famil\-, and are widely known and 

hundred and fifty-si.\ acres, which they worked , respected. 

together for one year. He then sold his in- *..». - 

terest to John, and worked for him the follow- 
ing year. James and his lirother Jason next ir~\-^^ "' '"^ • H.\i\RIS. foreman of the 
became joint owners of the farm, and together l i 1 woodworking dep;irtment of Craw- 



worked it a year and a half, when James sold ^- X^^ 'o'd Brothers, carriage manufact- 
his interest, and bought another farm in the urers of Delhi, N.V., is an expert 

vicinity. In 1864, feeling that his country , in his line of business, possessing unusual 



76 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



mechanical ability and artistic skill, and dis- 
charging the duties of his responsible position 
with practical sagacity and discretion. Mr. 
Harris is a native of the JCmpirc State, hav- 
ing been born in Columbus, Madison County, 
August 9, 1839. His father, Devillo Harris, 
was also a native of Columbus, where his 
grandparents resided many years. They finally 
removed to Edmeston, Otsego County, how- 
ever, where the grandfather spent his remain- 
ing years. His wife, who bore him four 
children — Devillo, Celia, Freelove, and John 
— died in Columbus. 

Devillo Harris, like the majority of the 
farmers' sons of his day, worked on the farm, 
attending school when he was not needed at 
home, and remained with his parents until 
twenty-one years of age. He began farming 
on his own account in Otselic, where he 
rented a farm. He then worked for a few 
years for his wife's father, Lyman Carrier, 
going thence to Michigan, which was then an 
almost uninhabited country and presented the 
appearance of a vast wilderness in some of its 
districts. He bought land, and improved a 
comfortable homestead, on which he thereafter 
lived and where he died. He married 
Amanda Carrier, who died in New York City. 
They reared three children — David R., 
Martha, and Amelia. 

David R. Harris, who was the eldest child 
and the only son born to his parents, spent 
the first ten years of his life beneath the 
parental roof, and from that time on lived in 
various places, the first being on the farm of 
an uncle, in Otsego County, New York. He 
ne.xt worked as a farm laborer in Otsego, 
going thence to his grandfather's, for whom 
he worked for a twelvemonth. He was after- 
ward in Hrookfield, working for a Mr. Lamb, 
then in Coontown, West Edmeston, finally in 
Edmeston, in the manufactory of Julius 
Lines, of whom he learned his trade of car- 
riage-making. Later he worked at his trade 
in Wheeler, .Steuben County, whence he went 
to lulmeston, where he remained until 1862. 
In that year Mr. Harris began his career as a 
soldier, enlisting to defend his country's flag, 
in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty- 
first New York Volunteer Infantry, serving 
two years and nine months, and in the mean 



time being promoted from a private to the 
rank of Corporal. With his regiment he was 
in the thickest of the fight in several battles 
and skirmishes, and on June 21, 1863, re- 
ceived a severe wound at the battle of Peters- 
burg. He was honorably discharged. May 17, 
1S65 : and, returning to the State of his birth, 
he establisheil himself in business in New 
Berlin, continuing there five years. The fol- 
lowing twenty-two years Mr. Harris was em- 
ployed in a manufactory, the Hanford wagon 
works, in Unadilla, the last ten years of the 
time being foreman of the sho]5. While there 
he was solicited to take his present position 
with Crawford Brothers, the inducements of- 
fered being such that he accepted them, com- 
ing here October 17, 1892, since which time 
he has labored with credit to himself and to 
the perfect satisfaction of all concerned. 

Mr. Harris was married in 1861 to Anna 
Beatty, a daughter of Alexander Beatty, of 
New Berlin; and of their happy union three 
children have been born — Carrie, Nellie, and 
Hattie. Carrie, the eldest daughter, died at 
Unadilla, in her sixteenth year, in 1878, of 
typhoid fever. Nellie married Philip Brady, 
a cigar-maker in Unadilla; and they have two 
children — Guy and Leo. Hattie is a student 
in the State Normal School, preparing herself 
for a teacher. 

Politically, Mr. Harris is a stanch sup- 
porter of the Republican ticket, and is a 
prominent member of the C. C. Siver Post, 
No. 124, Grand Army of the Republic, in 
which he has always taken an active interest, 
having been Commander of the post, and Sen- 
ior Vice-Commander and Chaplain. He has 
also been Aide-de-camp in the Department 
Staff of the State. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harris 
are active workers and conscientious members 
of the Baptist church, and deeply interested 
in the Sunday-school connected with it, she 
being superintendent of the school, and he 
one of its most valued teachers. 



NDREW J. CORBIN, a prominent 
merchant of the village of Bloomville, 
in the town of Kortright, was born 
in Roxbury, Delaware County, 
P^ebruary 23, 1836. He is a grandson of Mc- 




BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



77 



Keach Corbin, of Dutchess County, who in 
early manhood left his native ])lace, and, witli 
the pluck and energy rccjuisite for the lite of 
a pioneer farmer, Ijccame one of the first set- 
tlers ill Roxbury. Mere his intelligent anti 
persevering efforts were crowned with success, 
and he was soon the possessor of a fine farm 
of one hundred and sixty acres, and the hus- 
band of a good wife. Chiklren, seven in 
nunibei", were sent to bless liis home; an<l he ! 
had the happiness of seeing all of them reach ' 
maturity. L'pon his pleasant farm Mr. 
Corbin"s busy, but tranquil life, was spent: 
and here, at the age of threescore years and 
ten, his days were ended. His sense of jus- 
tice, his kindliness of n.ature, and broad intel- 
ligence, all inclined him to liberality in relig- 
ious views, though he lived in a time when 
bigotry and intolerance were far more com- 
mon than to-dav. He was a true Democrat; 



and, like Richard Rumbold, 



ni.-vi.'r CO 



uld 



believe that Providence had sent a few men 
into the world ready booted and spurred to 
ride, and millions ready saddle<l and l)ridled 
to, be ridden."' 

Philetus Corbin, son of McKeach Corbin, 
was born in Roxbury. in the memorable year 
1812. His bovhooil was spent upon his 
father's farm. XV'hen manhood was reached, 
he married Maria l^enjamin, who, like him- 
self, was a native of Roxbury. .•\fter the 
patriarchal manner of life, I'hiletus Corbin 
brought his bride to the home of his parents, 
which he made his jiermanent abiding-])lace. 
Here he brought up his family; and here, on 
the fruitful acres his father had wrested from 
the wilderness, the son's life work was accom- 
plished. I'hiletus Corliin's children were 
three in number: Andrew J., the subject ol 
this sketch; Hiram, who died at forty-three 
years of age; and I'olly M., who married 
brrin A. Meeker, and died at the age of fifty- 
seven. I'hiletus Corbin became one of the 
leading farmers of Roxbury, where at one 
time he was the owner of several hundred 
acres of land. His knowledge and interest 
were not limited to the art of husbandry, as is 
proved by the fact that he served his town in 
various public capacities. His judgment in 
estimating the value of property made him 
especially capable as an Assessor. His in- 



terest in education led him, in conjunction 
witli joim H. (iould (the f:ither of the late 
eminent financier, Jay (jould), to estal)lish 
J5eechwood .Seminary. His humanitari;uiism 
influenced him to ilo all that Lay within his 
power for the good of the community. His 
religious sentiments were in h;irmony with 
those of his worthy father: and, ])olitical]y, 
he sujiported the same Democratic jjolicy. 
Mr. Corbin's wife was taken from Iiim when 
she h:id reached the age of forty-seven. She 
was ;i woman whose devout nature found con- 
genial exjiression in the w'orshii) of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. His active life was 
spent u]ion the farm where his father dwelt 
and toihd. His last d;iys, however, were 
passed in the village of Roxbury. To his 
temperate life, his varied and wholesome in- 
terests, and his habits of mental and jjhysical 
activits', he doubtless owed his longevity. It 
was not until the age of eighty-one years had 
been reached that this estimable m;in was laid 
to rest. 

Andrew |. Corbin, of Bloomville, was the 
eldest son of I'hiletus and Maria Henjamin 
Corbin. He was born in the very month 
when John (Juincy Adams was making his 
noble, single-handed fight in Congress (which 
lasted for eleven days) for the right of peti- 
tion. At this time the wonder wliich ha<l 
been excited in the minds of the people by 
Morse's invention of the electric telegrai)h — 
the scientific miracle of the age — was still 
unabated. It was a period of intense interest 
and great fruitfulness in the history of the 
countrv— a [leriod likely to have a t|uicken- 
ing influence upon a mind wiiich was then be- 
ginning to untold. Andrew's boyhood was 
passed in Roxbury, and he early became a 
slutlent at Beechwood Seminary. Among his 
companions at this time who became famous 
was Jay Could. The two boys became inti- 
mate friends, olten visiting one another and 
sharing the same room. Andrew had a bright 
mind and scholarly tastes, ;ind did himself 
much credit while at school. On leaving the 
seminary his ability and rejuitation were such, 
though only a lad in his teens, that he readily 
obtained a position as teacher for five terms 
in his native town, and also for a short time 
in Ulster County. At the age of seventeen 



78 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



he became interested in mercantile life, and 
entered the employ of A. H. Burnham, of 
Roxbiiry, as clerk, fur his first year's work 
receiving one hundred and fifty dollars. He 
remained with Mr. Burnham five years, show- 
ing marked and increasing mercantile ability. 
At the end of this apprenticeship, in company 
with Mr. H. B. Montgomery, he bought a 
store, where he did business tor several years. 
In 1865 he sold out, and came to Bloomvllle, 
to establish himself in the store he still 
occupies. 

The following year, 1866, Mr. Corbin was 
united in marriage with Lucy Ann, daughter 
of Aaron Champion ; but their wedded happi- 
ness was of brief duration. She died in 
1867, and her babe was soon laid beside its 
mother. In 1870 Mr. Corbin married Sarah 
E. Dales, daughter of George and Angel ine 
Dales. Mr. Dales had been among the early 
settlers of the village, and was largely inter- 
ested in the manufacture and sale of proprie- 
tary medicines. His widow now makes her 
home with her daughter, Mrs. Corbin. 

Remembering with what ancestry Mr. Cor- 
bin was blessed, it is not surprising that he 
had within him the capacity for great useful- 
ness. He has a well-filled general store, in 
connection with an extensive trade in flour 
and grain, and al^o deals largely in eggs. 
He carries a stock worth twenty thousand dol- 
lars; and in 1893, despite the general depres- 
sion, he did a business amounting to nearly 
a hundred thousand dollars. The methods he 
has employed are the result of unusual sagac- 
ity and unerring judgment. Though Mr. 
Corbin has but reached the prime of life, he 
enjoys the distinction of being the oldest 
merchant in the town, while his success is 
proverbial. His large business interests now 
demand his entire time; but in the past he 
has held public offices, the duties of which he 
has discharged with honor to himself and sat- 
isfaction to his townsmen. He was Super- 
visor one term in Roxbury, and three terms in 
Kortright. Mr. Corbin is a member of St. 
Andrew's Lodge of Yrcc Masons in Hobart. 
Like his father and grandfather, he is a Dem- 
ocrat ; and he has also inherited their liberal 
religious opinions. Mrs. Corbin is a member 
of the Episcopal church at Bloomville; and 



its benevolent work is furthered by her kindly 
help. Mr. Corbin is a large-hearted, public- 
spirited man, from whom any worthy appeal is 
sure to meet a ready response, whether the 
call be for effort of his mind or hand, or for 
gift from his time or purse. 



/^^^TkORGIC W. BOOTH, Postmaster at 
V 5T Sidney Centre, a gentleman in the 
prime of life, although a veteran of 
the late war, is one of the most popular and 
well-known native residents of Delaware 
County. He was born in the town of Frank- 
lin, May 31, 1846, and is of sturdy New Eng- 
land stock, his father, Isaiah Booth, being a 
native of Pittsfield, Mass. That State was 
also the birthplace of his paternal grand- 
father, who removed thence to Delaware 
County after marriage, and, becoming one of 
the pioneer settlers of the town of Walton, 
was largely instrumental in promoting its ad- 
vancement and growth. Earlier ancestors 
came from England to Massachusetts, but can- 
not be traced, as the family records are lost. 

Isaiah Booth accompanied his parents to 
this county, and, settling in the town of Frank- 
lin, purchased one hundred and twenty-five 
acres of land, and there improved a fine 
homestead. He was a man of unusual activ- 
ity and ability, energetic and progressive, and 
was numbered among the leading farmers of 
his vicinity. The maiden name of his wife, 
to whom he was united in 1859, was Philanda 
Bronson. She was a native of Otseeo 
County. Mr. Booth died in Franklin, when 
fifty-five years old, and his widow at the age 
of seventy-four years. She was a woman of 
much force of character, a valued member of 
the Congregational church; and her husband 
was liberal in his religious views. Of the 
eleven children born of their union six are 
now living, the following being their record: 
Mrs. Mary Youngs, wife of Norman Youngs, 
resides in Otsdawa, Otsego County. Mrs. 
Fanny Haskins is a resident of Franklin. 
Mrs. Jessie Murdock lives in Masonville, 
Delaware County. George W. is our subject. 
Mrs. Rosella Roof resides in Sidney Centre. 
Frank E., a commercial traveller, resides in 
the West. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



79 



George \V. Booth, the elder of the two sons 
of Isaiah, was reared ami eilucated in the 
town of his nativity, attending tirst the dis- 
trict schools, and afterward the I-'ranklin 
Academy. When seventeen years of age, he 
began tiie battle of life on his own account, 
his first labor being on a farm. At this time 
the late Civil War was in progress; and in 
September, 1864, in the nineteenth year of 
his age, he enlisted in the Thirteenth New 
York Hcav\- Artillery, under the command of 
Captain II. C. I'ratt. With his regiment he 
participated in several skirmishes, serving 
faithfully until the close of the war, and re- 
ceived his honorable discharge June 28, 1865. 
After returning home Mr. Booth engaged in 
various occupations, his versatile talents win- 
ning him success in most of his undertakings. 
He was for a while actively engaged in the 
livery business, surrendering that to become 
agent for an insurance company, anil subse- 
quently engaging in the hotel business in 
this county for eighteen consecutive years efli- 
cicntly and profitably, managing hotels in 
Hancock and Walton, Downsville and Sidney 
"Centre. While in Downsville, Mr. Booth 
held various responsible ofllcial positions, and 
for three years was in government employ in 
the city of Washington, having received dur- 
ing the first term of (Irover Cleveland's ad- 
ministration his appointment as superinten- 
dent of the Treasury stables, and afterward 
holding the position of clerk in the Auditor's 
office in the Post-office Department. He was 
reappointed to this office during the adminis- 
tration of Benjamin Harrison, and resigned 
before its close. in 1893 he removed to Sid- 
ney Centre, and was appointed Postmaster 
here in February of the present year. 1894, 
assmning the responsibilities of his office on 
the 1st of April. 

An important step in the life of Mr. Booth 
was his marriage on October 6, 1856, to 
Miss Prudence Hall, who was born in the 
town of Delhi, Delaware County, December 
29, 1847, being a daughter of Asahel and 
Pamelia (Jackson) Hall. Their union has 
been blessed by the birth of one child, a 
daughter, Kmma A., a most estimable young 
lady, who assists her father in the post-office. 

Mr. Booth is an influential member of the 



Democratic party, and, .socially, is a promi- 
nent member of Hancock Lodge, No. 552, 
A. !•". & A. M., of Hancock Lodge, No. 1026, 
Knights of Honor, ami of Hancock Post, No. 
483, Ciraml Army of the Reiniblic, for one 
year being Senior Vice-Commander of the 
post. He was a charter member of luigland 
Post, No. 142, Grand Army of the Republic, 
IX'lhi, N.Y., and a charter member of Flem- 
ing Post, No. 280, Downsville, N.Y.. and is 
a charter member of George N. Riedfield 
Post, No. 512, Grand Army of the Republic, 
Sidney Centre, of whicii he is at the inesent 
time Commander. Religiously, both he and 
his wife are esteemed members of the Congre- 
gational church, and active workers in its 
support. 




RCIIIBAI.D FORFMAN, a prosper- 
ous farmer, of Scotch birth and 
ancestr)', now residing on his one- 
hundred-and-eighty-one-acre farm 
in the town of Bovina, presents a good ex- 
ample of the thrift, energy, and success-com- 
pelling tiualities of most of .Scotia's sons who 
seek a home in the New World. His paternal 
grandparents were Robert and Agnes Fore- 
man, life-long residents of Scotland, making 
their home for the most i^art in the good old 
town of Fdinburgh. The former was a slater 
by trade, and had a family of six sons and 
one daughter, all of whom are now deceaserl. 
Archibald Foreman, Sr., son of the fore- 
going, was the next in line. He grew to 
manhood in his native land, and when of 
])roper age took for his wife Margaret Hood. 
He was a farmer, but, like the father of Scot- 
land's gi'eat i)oet, Burns, was too poor to 
become the owner of the land he w-orked. He 
raised a family of eight children, four of 
whom now survive, namely: James, now a 
retired carpenter, residing in Fdinburgh: 
lanette, who became the wife of William 
Yule, and lives with her husband in Canada; 
Betsy, wife of Andrew Wallace, and resident 
in Berwickshire, Scotland. .Agnes, Robert, 
Catherine, and Margaret, all of whom grew 
to maturitv and married, are now deceased. 
The father of these children died in Berwick- 
shire, at the age of seventy-five, and his wife 



8o 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



when about seventy. They were membets of 
the Presbyterian church, the former being an 
Elder. 

Archibald Foreman, son of the preceding, 
grew to manhood and received his education 
in his native country, Scotland. The day of 
his nativity was February ii, 1827. In 1852 
he emigrated to America, landing in July of 
that year, after a voyage lasting nearly six 
weeks. He wasted no time in the large 
cities, but came directly to Delaware County, 
New York, settling in the town of Bovina. 
He first worked out by the month for Daniel 
Frazier; and, as it was in the haying season 
and help was scarce, he received one dollar 
per day for his services. In 1854, feeling 
the influence of the gold excitement, he went 
to California, via the Isthmus of Panama, the 
trip occupying three weeks. On arriving at 
his destination, he engaged in mining, and so 
continued for nearly six years, meeting with 
fair success, and undergoing the privations 
and typical experiences of a miner's life. At 
the end of the time mentioned he grew tired 
of the life, and returned to Bovina. 

On October 21, 1861, Mr. Foreman was 
united in marriage with Miss Devina Laid- 
low, who was born in Roxburyshire, Scotland, 
daughter of David and Ellen (Hart) Laidlow, 
both natives of the same shire. Mr. Laidlow 
was a shepherd by early occupation, and came 
to America in 1851, settling in Bovina, where 
he bought land and engaged in farming. He 
was an industrious man, and after a well- 
spent life died on his farm at the age of 
seventy years, his wife departing this life at 
the age of sixty. They were both faithful 
members of the United Presbyterian church. 
Their family consisted of six children, four 
of whom now survive, namely: Isabella, wife 
of William Wight, of Delhi, N.Y.; Helen, 
who married William Cook, and resides in 
the town of Bovina: Margaret, now Mrs. 
George Currie, of Bovina; and Devina, Mrs. 
Foreman. The other children were Robert, 
who died at the age of thirty-two, and George, 
who lived to the age of forty-nine. 

In 1862, the year after his marriage, Mr. 
Foreman purchased the farm where he now 
lives, and on which he earned his first dollar 
after landing on American soil. He has 



since devoted his time to its cultivation with 
very happy results. He has a herd of twenty 
cows, Jersey grade; and the farm, which con- 
tains, as above mentioned, one hundred and 
eighty-one acres, is very productive. In all 
he may be considered as a prosperous and suc- 
cessful man, his good fortune being due to 
his own habits of industry and perseverance, 
under the blessing of Providence. Mr. and 
Mrs. Foreman have four children, three sons 
and a daughter, namely: Archibald, Robert 
G., and James F., all residing at home, and 
engaged in farming; and Maggie B., a young 
lady attending school, and, like her brothers, 
living at home. 

In 1889 Mr. Foreman, desirous of seeing 
once more the land of his birth and the 
friends of his early years, took a trip to Scot- 
land, remaining about three months, and 
pleasantly renewing old recollections. He 
has served his adopted town of Bovina as 
Road Commissioner (three terms) and Asses- 
sor, filling the latter office two terms. His 
politics are Republican, and the family are 
attendants and members of the United Pres- 
byterian church at Bovina Centre. 




UGENE B. SOUTHWORTH, a worthy 
citizen of Trout Creek, Tompkins, 
Delaware County, N.Y., was born 
in Phoenix, Otsego County, May 19, 1855, 
and is of Pilgrim ancestry. His grandfather. 
Nelson Southworth, was born in Otsego 
County, and, after being educated in the dis- 
trict schools, learned shoemaking, and then 
became proprietor of a hotel at Seward. 
While engaged in this occupation, he was con- 
verted to the Methodist faith, and soon gave 
up the hotel business, and devoted himself to 
shoemaking and preaching. At the breaking 
out of the war he removed to Delaware 
County, settling at Masonville, where he pur- 
chased about three hundred and fifty acres of 
the best farm land in that section. He was 
well informed on legal matters, and assisted 
in many trials at the courts in the vicinity of 
his home. For the last three years of his 
life he was engaged in mercantile business in 
Loomis, where he died at the age of seventy- 
four years, in 1888. He married Jemima 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



8i 



I'incli, of Otsego County; ami sixteen cliil- 
tlren were horn of this union, of wlioin the 
following lived to reach maturity, and have 
families of their own: Keziah, Austin S., 
iMiiery K., Adeline, Lysander D., Lydia, 
Nelson, William, Henry A., Gurley S., ami 
Lois. 

Austin S. Southworth, eldest son of Nel- 
son, was born in Seward, Schoharie County, 
and, after receiving his education in the dis- 
trict school at Seward, began to teach school 
when but fifteen years of age, and at seven- 
teen entered the Methodist ministry. l-"or a 
time he preachetl in Otsego, and then went to 
Edmeston. He was next at Morris two 
years, and went thence to Bainbridge, where 
he remained one year. Later he preached two 
years in Gilford. In July, 1862, he enlisted 
in Company A, One Hundred ami Fourteenth 
Regiment New 'S'ork Volunteers, at Oxford, 
as First Sergeant, and served throughout the 
terrible conflict. He was wounded in the 
foot by a shell at Cedar Creek, in the Shenan- 
do'ah Valley, and was discharged from the 
service on account of disability. But he re- 
enlisted in his old company, and was then 
transferred to the Ninetieth New York \\>t- 
eran Volunteers, and served one year in 
Georgia. 

At the close of the great struggle he en- 
gaged in farming at North Walton, preaching 
at "Sidney Centre, North Walton, Merriott- 
ville, and Little York. After a time he 
disposed of his farm and entered the life in- 
surance and sewing-machine business. He 
preached at Clarksville, Albany County, for 
three years, and then removed to Wheeler- 
ville, where he was engaged in his good work 
for three years. His next parish was at 
Gloversville, where he remained one year; 
and after that he was employed as book-keeper 
for the Harmony cotton-mills at Cohoes, also 
preaching in tlie Independent Methodist 
church of that town for two years. His next 
move was to Schenectady, where he was one 
of the organizers of the Independent Metho- 
dist church, of which he became pastor, and 
was also employed there by the Appleton lui- 
cyclop:cdia Company for two years. At the 
expiration of that time he removed to Fhil- 
mont on the Hudson, where he preached one 



year. lie then settled in Albany, lieing 
again employed by the Appleton Company. 
After a year there he wejit to Chicago, his 
family going to live with his son Eugene at 
North Walton. For five years he was em- 
jjloyed in Chicago, and then returned to Wal- 
ton. While in Chicago he began to wrile a 
work on optimism, entitled "The Bright 
Side of Life," three parts of which have 
alreatly appeareil in pamphlet form, and, when 
completed, will be bound in one volume. 
Since that time Mr. Southworth has lived in 
retirement, and now resides at Ware, Mass., 
with his son, the Rev. V'ictor Emanuel South- 
worth, pastor of the First Unitarian Church. 
He married, at the age of seventeen, Miss 
Jane I'".. Gage, of Milford, Otsego County, 
N.Y., whom he first met when they were both 
employed in a cotton-mill at Cooperstown. 
They were the parents of thirteen children, 
namely: Eugene B. ; Thaddeus D. ; Emerson; 
Nettie A.; Victor and Victoria, who were 
twins; William A.; Ellen; Irena Vashti; 
Minnie M. ; and Walter; Charles and Ira, 
who liave passed away. Mrs. Southworth still 
lives at Walton on the farm owned l)y the 
family there, and is em])loyed as a nurse in 
that vicinity. 

luigene B., eldest son of the Rev. Austin 
S. SoullnvDrth, was educated in the district 
! school and at Walton Academy, after which 
he worked on the farm until sixteen years of 
age, when he took charge of a flour-mill at 
Clarksville, Albany County. Two years later 
he went to Wheelerville, luilton County, and 
learned the currier's trade in a tannery owned 
by ex-Governor Claflin. This trade he fol- 
lowed for eight years. He then rented a farm 
in North Walton, remaining there for seven 
years, after which he purchased the farm 
where he now resides. It contains one hun- 
dred and f(n-ty-four acres, nearly all of which 
is under cultivation, over forty acres having 
been cleared and ploughed in three years. 
When he moved to his present farm, it would 
support but eight cows and a team; but he 
now keeps twenty-four cows, five horses, and 
forty sheep. His income in cash has resulted 
from the farm i>roducts, and for the year end- 
ing April I, 1804, amounted to about two 
thousand dollars. His farm is rich in min- 



82 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



eral paint, part of which was disposed of by a 
former owner. Mr. Southworth is a Republi- 
can in politics, and is a public-spirited citizen. 
Mr. Southworth married, in Sidney, Miss 
Nellie Scott, dau-^hter of James K. and Mary 
(Gardner) Scott, of Beach Hill, Masonville. 
David Scott, the father of James K., removed 
to Masonville from Queemans, Albany County, 
N.Y., and was engaged in farming and car- 
pentering. James K. Scott was born at 
Masonville, where he also followed the life of 
a farmer and carpenter. He married Mary 
Garilner, a daughter of Andrew Gardner, of 
Tompkins; and they had eight children: Nel- 
lie, the wife of the subject of this sketch; 
Fred; Elmer; Inez; Oscar: Flora; Willie; 
and Wallace, who died young. Mr. and 
Mrs. Eugene B. Southworth are the parents of 
eight children now living: Mabel C. ; Alice 
Pearl; Henry A.; Nettie A.; Edith Maud; 
Alta May; and Thaddeus D. and Mary J., 
who are twins. They have been called upon 
to part with three children, who died when 
very young. 




iRS. SARAH RICH, who lives on 
the Rich homestead of two hun- 
dred and seventy-five acres in 
Almeda, in the town of Stam- 
ford, N.Y., and carries on the place with 
marked ability, is the widow of Stephen Rich. 
The Rich family, hers by birth as well as 
marriage, is one of the oldest and best estab- 
lished in the county. 

The present record begins with James Rich, 
who was born in New York City in 1764, and 
was therefore a boy eleven years old when the 
Revolution began, and still older when the 
patriotic tide reached his native 
trade he was a tailor, but died at 
age of thirty-five, only ten years 
marriage, and in the same year 
Father of his Country. His wife 
Altgelt, also a native of the metropolis, where 
she was born, July 30, 1769. She outlived 
her husband many years, and twice entered 
again the holy estate of matrimony. Her 
second husband was Joseph Thomson ; and 
the other was Robert Forrest, of Stamford, 
who left her the third time a widow. Her 



city. By 
the early 
after his 
with the 

was Mary 



own death occurred in Stamford on December 
6, 1857. To her first husband she bore three 
sons. Stephen Altgelt Rich, a grocer in New 
York City, grandfather of Mrs. Sarah Rich, 
was born August 4, 1790, during Washing- 
ton's first Presidency, and lived till 1858, 
when Buchanan was in the White House. 

The next son, to whose line this sketch 
specially relates, was born October 23, 1791, 
and was named for his grandfather. James 
Rich was a Stamford farmer, and carried on 
the place subsequently owned by his son 
Stephen. This he did so practically and pro- 
gressively as to make agriculture a profitable 
pursuit. He was an old-time Whig, and an 
Elder and Trustee in the United Presbyte- 
rian church in South Kortright. His first 
wife, Miss Helena Marshall, was born in 
New York City, October 13, 1792. They 
were married in 1816, just a week before 
Christmas, when the second peace with the 
mother country had been finally declared, and 
praises of General Jackson's warlike pluck 
echoed on every hand ; and she died on 
Christmas Day, 1835, aged forty-three, while 
Jackson was President, so that the great 
Christian holiday and America's democratic 
and autocratic statesman were peculiarly asso- 
ciated with her life. 

From this union came ten children, two of 
whom survive. Henry Marshall Rich was 
born September 12, 18 19, and lived, unmar- 
ried, on the homestead with his brother's 
widow until his death, August 24, 1894. He 
was a member of the Presbyterian church, and 
a Republican, greatly respected by his asso- 
ciates. Robert S. Rich was born March 7, 
1823, and is a merchant in Hobart village. 
Helena Jane was born on February 14, 1832, 
and is now the widow of Hector Cowan, of 
Stamford, of whom a sketch may be found 
elsewhere in this volume. The eldest child, 
James Altgelt Rich, a Stamford farmer, 
named for his grandparents, was born in Oc- 
tober, 1817, and died March 5, 1894. Mary 
Rich was born February 17, 1821, and died 
unmarried in New York City on April 3, 
1842. Stephen was born October 8, 1824; 
and he died July 6, 1884, at the sound age of 
sixty. Of him more hereafter. Thomas 
Rich, a farmer, was born August 28, 1826, 



KIOGRAl'HICAL RKVIEW 



8? 



and (lied in Mexico (in the last day of Ainil. 
1852. Alexander Rich was born on the first 
day of Novenihir, ICS30, became a New \'ork 
phnnber, and died February 18, 1854. Ann 
F.liza, twin sister of Hek'n, died in October, 
1889, at fifty-seven. James Rich"s first wife, 
as already stated, was Helena Marshall; but 
he was married again. The second wife was 
lane .Southard, a native of Dutchess County, 
and by her he had three children. The eld- 
est, Hannah Rich, born July 17, 1S38, mar- 
ried William B. Peters, of Hloomville, of 
whom a sketch may be found in its proi^er 
place in this v(dume. John Rich w.is born 
December 14, 1839, and died March 19, 
1885, in Jacksonville, Fla., where he was act- 
in"; as agent for the Mallor\- line of steamers. 
Isabella Rich was born April 10. 1841, four 
days after the country was appalled by the sad 
news of the death of General Harrison, when 
only a month in the Presidential chair. She 
married the Rev. James M. Stevenson, and 
died December ig, 1893. Thus we see that 
James Rich was indeed a patriarch, with one 
more child than Jacob, of the Bible history he 
so loved. He was also an Elder in the Pres- 
byterian church, and a Whig in politics, but 
would have rejoiced over the triumph of Abra- 
ham Lincoln, which occurred three years after 
Mr. Rich's death on the homestead. July 10, 
1857. 

The father of James Rich s first wife. 
Henry Marshall, was born in Scotland, and 
came to America before iiis marriage. He 
stu(fie(l medicine, became a successful ]iracti- 
tioner in Kortright in pioneer days, and 
reared a boy and six girls, all of whom have 
passed away. Dr. Marshall died in Hobart, 
at threescore and ten, an F'lder in the Presby- 
terian church, and a Whig in jKililics. His 
wife also lived to a good oJd age. 

.Stephen Rich grew up on the Stamford 
farm where he was born, and which had been 
bought by his grandmother, Mrs. .Mary Alt- 
gelt Rich (Thomson) Forrest, of its former 
owner, Mr. Sheldon, early in this century, 
and upon which the widowed Mrs. Stephen 
Rich now resides. .After attending the dis- 
trict school, Stephen went to New York City 
when he was eighteen, and found work with 
lames lUichan & Co., niainilacturers of soaj) 



and candles. In due time he was al)le to buy 
an interest in the concern, and pursued a suc- 
cessful trade till 1865, after the war, when he 
returned to .Stamford, bought the old home- 
stead, passed his last days there farming, and 
died July 6, 1884. 

He was married .May 6, 18C9, at the mature 
age of forty-five, to his cousin, Sarah Rich, 
a native of New York City, the daughter ot 
Stephen .-Mtgelt Rich and his wife, Jane 
Oliver, who was born October 22, 1788. 
These parents were married May 12, 1812, 
by the Rev. Robert Forrest. Stephen A. 
Rich died August 29, 1858, and his wife on 
l''ehruary 25, 1868. They had ten children, 
half of whom survive. Charlotte and Rachel 
are both widows in New York City, the for- 
mer having married William Patterson, and 
the latter Mr. Buchaii, of the firm above men- 
ti(Hied. Jane Rich lives with her sister 
-Sarah on the homestead. 1-Tizabeth Rich is 
the wife of James Rintoul, of .\ew York City. 
Sarah Rich married her kinsman, Stejihen 
Rich, as before stated. The five deceased 
children are as follows: James B. was born 
on the first day of March, 1 81 3, and died in 
.Mabama, August 12. 1844. Mary Struthers 
Rich was born March 18, 18 15, and died Jan- 
uary 28, 1892. Robert Forrest Rich, born 
lanuary 3, 1820, died November 11. 1872, in 
.New lersey. Hannah Thomson was born 
November u), 1822, and died March 27, 
1852, in New York City. Andrew Mather 
Rich, born December 23. 1825. died August 
17. 1826. 

Mrs. Stephen Rich belongs to the I'nited 
Presbyterian church in Kortright, in which 
her husband held the birthright office of 
IClder. He was also a Republican and a thor- 
oughly good citizen, and left his widow well 
endowed. Both the land and house are val- 
uable. In her management of the place Mrs. 
Rich was aided by her brother-in-law, Mr. 
Henry Rich, until the time of his death. 



fr-^|'l.\RY S. C.R.MI.XM, who is one of 
the foremost citizens of Delhi, is 
carrying on a ])ros])erous business 
as a dealer in hardware, at No. 477 
Main Street. He is a native of this State 




84 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



and county, having been born in Mereditli on 
October 23, i860. He comes of pure Scotch 
ancestry, the first of his forefathers to emi- 
grate to this country being his great-grand- 
father, James Graham, who was born and 
reared to manhood in Scotland. Crossing the 
stormy Atlantic in search of a fortune, he 
came from New York City, where he had dis- 
embarked, to Bovina, and there engaged in 
tilling the soil for a time, and also established 
a mercantile business on a small scale. He 
afterward removed to Franklin, where he fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits for many years, 
but later became a resident of Meredith, 
where he passed the remaining years of his 
earthly existence. He reared a family of 
eleven children, seven boys and four girls, of 
whom two are still living, one in Afton, 
N.Y., and one in Toledo, Iowa. 

Henry R. Graham, son of James, was 
reared a farmer, and followed that peaceful 
occupation through the days of his active life. 
He purchased a tract of timbered land in the 
town of Meredith, from which he cleared and 
improved a comfortable homestead, and there 
made his abiding-place for many years. 
Later he removed to Delhi, where he de- 
parted this life at the age of seventy-three 
years. He married Esther Stilson, a daugh- 
ter of Cyrenus Stilson, and a native of Mere- 
dith, of which town her parents were pioneer 
settlers. She is still living at the venerable 
age of eighty-six years, and is one of the old- 
est members of the Baptist church at Delhi. 
She became the mother of five children, 
namely: Edwin J., the father of Henry S. ; 
Rosella, deceased, who married Edward Fris- 
bee, of Delhi; Emeline, the wife of Darius 
Grant, pastor of the Baptist church, West- 
ville, N.Y.; Elmer M., who married Jennie 
Mein, of Meredith; and Lyman S., who mar- 
ried Jennie Kemp, of Meredith. 

Edwin J. Graham was born in Meredith, 
January 19, 1832, and was reared on the farm, 
tilling the soil in season, and attending the 
district school in the winters. On attaining 
his majority he left the parental homestead, 
and was for some time employed as a clerk in 
a store. He subsequently purchased a farm; 
and, putting in practice the knowledge which 
he had acquired in the days of his youth, he 



successfully engaged in its cultivation for sev- 
eral years. In 1865 he came to Delhi, and 
invested a portion of his money in the store, 
where he still continues carrying on a flour- 
ishing business in general merchandise. Ann 
Eliza Bill, who became his wife in 1857, was 
a native of Meredith, but of New England 
descent, being a daughter of Charles Bill and 
Lois (Woodworth) Bill, both of whom were 
natives of Connecticut, the latter being the 
daughter of a substantial farmer of that State. 
Four children were born of their union, as 
follows: Charles W., who was engaged with 
his father in business until January, 1880, 
when he entered into the drug business; 
Henry S. ; George E., now a resident of Cali- 
fornia; and Grace M., now the wife of Henry 
R. Gibbs, and residing in Sewickley, Pa. 
On June 10, 1888, the family fireside was 
made desolate by the death of the beloved 
wife and affectionate mother, who passed 
away at the age of fifty-seven years. She 
was a conscientious member of the Presbyte- 
rian church, to which her husband belongs. 
In politics he is a stanch Republican. 

Henry S. Graham was five years old when 
he came with his parents to Delhi, where he 
has since resided. His elementary education, 
which he obtained in the public school, was 
supplemented by an attendance at the Dela- 
ware Academy. As soon as old enough to be 
useful, he became a clerk in his father's store, 
a position which he occupied until the spring 
of 1 88 1. In the fall of that year Mr. Graham 
opened a grocery store, purchasing a complete 
stock of groceries, and continuing in that 
business until 1886, when he sold out his es- 
tablishment, and entered the employment of 
Wright & Frost, dealers in hardware. He 
subsequently purchased their goods and build- 
ing, and has since conducted a large and very 
successful business, which he has extended 
and increased from year to year. 

Mr. Graham has been twice married. His 
first wife, to whom he was united on July 8, 
1884, was Frankie B. Ward, a daughter of 
William Ward, a former resident of Tioga 
County, but later superintendent of the Delhi 
Woollen-mill. After a brief period of wed- 
lock she died in November, 1886, leaving 
one child, Bessie. His second wife, Mary A. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



H 



Russell, is n daughter of the late John Rus- 
sell, of Delhi, who was for many years en- 
gaged here in trade. Of this union two 
children have been born — K. Russell anil 
Howard R. Mr. Graham is a stanch suji- 
porter of the Republican pacty, and is a true 
and loyal citizen, always using his influence 
to promote the best interests of the town, and 
well deserving the esteem and favor in which 
he is held by all. Both he and his wife are 
members of the Second Presbyterian Church 
of Delhi. 




ILLIAM H. EELLS. editor and 
]iroprietor of the Walton Times, is 
conducting this paper with signal 
ability and success, and holds a ]irominent 
position among the journalists of Delaware 
County. He is a native of this State and 
county, having been born in the town of Wal- 
ton, April 1 6, 1853, youngest son of Stephen 
Decatur and Mary (Marvin) Eells. and comes 
of good New England stock, being a lineal 
descendant of one John Eells, who emigrated 
from old England to Massachusetts in 1628. 

A son of the emigrant, -Samuel Eells, born 
in Hingham, Mass., January 2^, 1629. was 
married August i, 1663, to .Annie, daughter 
of the Rev. Robert Lenthal. of Plymouth, 
Mass.: and they reared seven children. 
Their son Samuel, born in Milford, Mass., 
April 2, 1666, was twice married. His first 
wife, Martha, died on October 2J. 1700. 
His second wife. Widow Hayor. iic'c Russell, 
bore him a son named John, who was baptized 
April I, 1703, was graduated from Yale Col- 
lege in 1724, and became a minister of the 
gospel, presumably a Congregationalist. He 
married Annie Baird, January 11, 1727, and 
died in New Canaan, Conn., October 15, 
1785. His two children were: Anna, born 
May I, 1729: and Jeremiah, born December 
21, 1732. 

Jeremiah Eells, the great-great-great-grand- 
father of William H., was a life-long resident 
of New Canaan, and was there engaged in 
farming and shoemaking. He married Mrs. 
Louise Benedict, a Huguenot of I-'rance, and 
the daughter of Dr. Benten. of Norwalk, 
Conn. Their eldest son, John, born Novem- 



ber 16, 1765, married Anna Mead, the daugh- 
ter of General John Mead, who during the 
Revolutionary War had command of the Con- 
tinental troops stationed near the neutral 
ground between Horse Neck, now Nyack, and 
New York, and on whose farm General Israel 
Putnam rode down the stee]) precipice and 
escaped the 15ritish dragoons. Their children 
were as follows: John, Jr., born P'ebruary 24, 
1786; Benjamin B., born March 8, 1788; 
Meade, born July 3, 1790; Samuel, born in 
Walton, March 12, 1793; ^lary, born May 
12, 1795: Baird, born October 10, 1797; and 
Allen, born May 13, 1800. Some years after 
their marriage, which took place on December 
20, 1784, the parents of these children came 
to Delaware County, and were among the ear- 
liest settlers of Walton. John Eells estab- 
lished the first hotel of the place, running it 
for nineteen years. He was one of the lead- 
ing citizens of the town, and served nineteen 
years as Justice of the Peace. Taking up a 
tract of wild land, he cleared up a good farm, 
on which he spent the latter years of his life. 
The father of Mr. William H. Eells, Stephen 
Decatur Eells. is in possession of the desk, 
now about one hundred years old, on which 
John I^ells during his official life did all of 
his writing. It is well preserved, and is re- 
markable in conception and in workmanship. 

Meade Eells, who was born in New Canaan, 
was little more than an infant when his par- 
ents removed to Walton, where he was reared. 
He was a lumberman, was in the War of 
I 81 2, and died at the age of eighty-six years. 
He married Philena, daughter of Dorman 
fohnson, who was the kee])er of a hotel in 
Walton for many years. They reared seven 
children, as follows: Stephen Decatur, .'\llen. 
Sylvia Ann, Hannah Marvin, Philena, Mary, 
and Julia. The mother passed away in 1865, 
at tiie home of George Marvin in Walton. 
She was a most estimable woman anil a mem- 
ber of the Congregational church. 

Stephen Decatur ICells. the father of Will- 
iam H., was born on the parental homestead in 
that part of Walton known as Mount Pleasant, 
November 3, 181 5. He was the recipient of 
good educational advantages, and, after leav- 
ing the district school, was fitted for college, 
and matriculated at Oberlin, but was unable 



86 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



to complete his course. He was industrious 
and ambitious, and, having but little money, 
supported himself while in college by work- 
ing as a painter. This trade he completed 
after his return to Walton, and for upward 
of threescore years was the leading painter of 
the village. Having during these years of 
labor acciuired a competency, he is now living 
in retirement in the village of his birth. His 
union with Mary Marvin, a daughter of Jared 
Marvin, was celebrated on November 12, 
1840, the date of the marriage of Queen Vic- 
toria. They have reared tour children, 
namely: John M. ; Ellen M. ; Emma Isabel, 
who died in 1878; and William H. Mr. 
Stephen D. Eells enlisted in Company I, One 
Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Volun- 
teer Infantry, at the time of the late Rebel- 
lion, and served until the close of the war, 
receiving his honorable discharge at Hilton 
Head, S.C. He has been closely identified 
with all enterprises calculated to improve the 
educational or moral status of the town, and 
has been an actix'c worker in the cause of 
temperance. Both he and his wife, in relig- 
ious matters, are in sympathy with the teach- 
ings of the Congregational church, of which 
they are members. 

In his boyhood William H. Eells attended 
first the district school, and afterward the 
village academy at Walton. At the age of 
fifteen years he left home to serve an ap- 
prenticeship in the office of the Norwalk 
Gazette, at Norwalk, Conn. ; and, having 
learned the trade of a printer, he was employed 
for the following year or more in the office of 
the famous Danbury Ncivs. Going thence to 
New York City, Mr. Eells secured a good 
position with the Rradstreet Mercantile 
Agency, remaining there until he had the 
misfortune to lose one foot by having it 
caught in the elevator. In 1875, being able 
to resume work, Mr. Eells accepted a situa- 
tion in the office of t\\Q. Moi ning Journal and 
Courier, at New Haven, Conn., continuing 
there until 1881, when he went to the city of 
Washington, where he served six years in the 
government printing-office, a portion of his 
time being employed in reading proof. 

In 1887 he again went to New York, and 
for four years worked on the Morning Journal, 



afterward holding a position in the oflFice of 
the Times, and then in that of the Commercial 
Advertiser. He subsec]uently returned to the 
place of his nativity, and accepted the posi- 
tion of managing editor of the Walton Cliron- 
iclc, resigning it to enter the office of the New 
York Tribune as operator of a typesetting 
machine. In 1892 Mr. Eells came back to 
Walton, and voted for Benjamin Harrison for 
President; and in November of that year he 
started the Walton edition of the Delaware 
Express, published in Delhi, meeting with 
such good success that he was encouraged to 
make it an independent publication. Accord- 
ingly, in March, 1893, changing the name of 
the paper to the Walton Times, he established 
a plant, and began printing it himself. He 
began with two hundred and fifty subscribers, 
and in February, 1894, less than a year after 
the paper was started, the circulation had in- 
creased to fourteen hundred, new subscribers 
being added to the list each month. 

Mr. Eells has been twice married. On 
June 24, 18S0, was celebrated his union witii 
Miss Huldah Stoddard, of New Haven, Conn., 
who was a daughter of George W. and Harriet 
Stoddard, and who died a few months later, 
on F"ebruary 24, 1881. -Mr. F.ells was again 
married in 1886, leading to the altar Miss 
Eleanor Place, of Washington, D.C., the 
wedding ceremony taking place in that city. 
Of the five children born to them three are 
now living, namely: Hamilton, a manly little 
fellow of seven years; Martha; and Ruth. 
In politics Mr. Eells is a straight Republican. 
Socially, he is a member of the Golden Rule 
Lodge, No. 21, Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, of Washington, D.C. 




JTCHEl.I. N. FRISBEE, the 
owner of one of the largest farms 
and most extensive dairies in the 
town of Kortright, of which he 
is one of the foremost citizens, comes of one 
of the leading pioneer families of Delaware 
County, his great-grandfather having been 
Gideon Frisbee, one of the most widely 
known and most important mdn of the early 
time in this neighborhood. Gideon Frisbee 
was a native of Columbia County, but was 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



87 



among" the first settlers of the town of Delhi, 
where he beeamo the possessor of a large tract 
of land. He was the first Judge of Delaware 
County, and his house was the scene of the 
first court held in the county- 
William I-"risbee, son of (lideon, was lK)rn 
in Delhi, and was possessor of a ])art of the 
old home farm. He was one of a famil\- of 
nine children, a practical farmer and excellent 
business man, who took an active part in all 
town affairs, and held the office of County 
Treasurer. ICleven of his chiklren grew to 
maturity; and three still live, namely: Mrs. 
Mary Churchward, of Janes\-ille, Ohio: Mrs. 
Alice Cottrell, who resides with her sister; 
and Fritz W. I-'risbee, who lives in Iowa. 
The mother of this large family died in the 
prime of life; but William l^'risbce li\ed to a 
good old age, dying in his native town. 

William Frisbee's son, Marcus W.. the 
father of the subject of this sketch, was horn 
in Delhi, April 8, 18 17, and resided in that 
town throughout his life. He was industri- 
ous and ])ersevering, and owned two excellent 
farms, which he cultivated. Politically a Re- 
publican, he held many town offices, among 
which was that of Superintendent of the Poor: 
and he and his wife, Susan Mitchell, born in 
Meredith, October 8, 1816, were members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. Both died 
in the town of Delhi, she at the age of sixty- 
one years, and he when seventy-six years of 
age. They were the parents of fovn- children, 
three of whom are still li\ing, namely: 
Mitchell X. Frisbee, of whom this sketch is 
written; Mrs. G. L. Bell, a resident of Wind- 
.sor, Broome County, N.Y.; and AI. Dwight 
Frisbee, of Binghamton. One daughter, An- 
gelia, died when forty years of age. 

Mitchell N. I-'risbcc was born in Dt-lhi. 
October 27, 1847, and educated in the Dela- 
ware Academy. Making his home with his 
parents, he then taught school for three terms. 
June I v 1873. he married Miss h'rances 
Clark, who was born November iS. 1S46, in 
Kortright on the farm purchased by Mr. I''ris- 
bee and at present occupied by his family. 
Miss Clark was the daughter of Joseph Clark, 
an early settler and prominent man of Kort- 
right, who married Jane Burdict, a descendant 
of one of the ]iioneer families ol tliat town. 



Josejih Clark died when sixty-three years of 
age, and liis wife has also jjassed away. Mr. 
and Mrs. I'risbee are the parents of two chil- 
dren - Clark |-"risbee and .Susan M. I-'risbec-. 
both of whom reside with their parents. 

Mr. I'"risbee first purchased the (dd home 
farm of two hundred an<l twenty acres where 
he was born; and there he resided for twelve 
years, selling it at the expirati<jn of that time, 
and buying his present home of six hundred 
acres. Five hundreil acres of this is cleared 
1;uk1, which is cultivated. Mr. Frisbee oper- 
ates a very extensive dair)', owning over one 
hundreil head of grade Jersey cattle. He is 
also engageil in stock and sheej) raising, giv- 
ing emi)loyment to fi\'e luen throughout the 
year. His farm is one of the very best in the 
town, and his residence a fine, commodious 
one. Mr. and Mrs. I'risboe are liberal in re- 
ligious views. Mr. I'risbee suppcjrts the Re- 
publican ]iartv, and has held the office of 
.Super\'isor for two terms. lie is a man of 
remarkable business qualifications, energetic, 
upright, and reliable, and enjoys the esteem 
of the communitv in which he dwells. 




IIOM.AS L. CRAIG, M.D., who has 
but recently established himself as a 
regular practitioner in the town of 
Daven]iort, after a thorough medical course of 
study and two years of valuable experience in 
the Baltimore I'niversity Hos])ital, is emi- 
nently fitted for the ])ractice of his ])rofession. 
He claims Delaware as the county of his 
birth, which occurred Ajiril 10, 1865, in the 
town of Harijcrsfield. lie is of Irish [larent- 
age, and the descendant of a well-known pio- 
neer family of this county. His grandfather, 
Thomas Craig, who was born and bred in Ire- 
land, and liwd there until after marriage, 
emigrating to this country in the early part of 
the present century, settled in the town of 
Meredith, Delaware County. He was accom- 
])anied bv his wife and little ones, and there 
took up a timber tract, from which by dint of 
persevering toil he develojjed a farm, on 
which he and his faithful companion lived to 
be quite aged people. They reared a family 
of six children: namely, John, Samuel, Rob- 
ert, Mattie. Margaret, and Jane. 



88 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Robert Craig, the third son, was born in 
Ireland, whence his parents came to America 
when he was eight years old. In the pioneer 
labor of clearing a homestead he was soon 
after strong enough to be of assistance; and 
he was thus engaged until twenty-one years of 
age, with the exxeption of the short time each 
year that he spent in school. Leaving home, 
he first worked out by the month ; then, 
marrying, he purchased a farm in Meredith, 
where he lived thirteen years. Selling this 
at a good advantage, he removed to Harpers- 
field, and, buying a farm, continued his agri- 
cultural labors until his early death, at the 
age of thirty-nine years. He was a hard- 
working man, and by his honest life and 
sound religious principles gained the good 
will and esteem of all who knew him. He 
was an active member of the United Presby- 
terian Church of North Kortright, to which 
his wife, Mary Adair Craig, also belonged. 

Mrs. Craig was born in this county, being 
one of five children of James Adair, a native 
of North Ireland, and his wife, who were for 
many years residents of Kortright. Of their 
union five children were born, namely: Sam- 
uel; James; Robert, a lawyer in Omaha, 
Neb.; Sarah E., deceased; and Thomas L. 
Mrs. Craig is still living, and makes her 
home with a brother in Harpersfield. 

The childhood and youth of Thomas L. 
Craig were spent on the farm, assisting in its 
work, and attending the district school until 
sixteen years of age. The following year he 
worked by the month, then spent two years in 
hard study at Walton Academy, fitting him- 
self for a teacher, a profession which he sub- 
sequently followed in Rloomville and other 
towns in the vicinity for some years. Having 
acquired sufficient means to defray his ex- 
penses, he then entered Baltimore College, and 
later the Baltimore University, from which 
he was graduated, with an honorable record, 
in 1892. Dr. Craig then spent two years in 
the hospital connected with the I'niversity, 
where he had an excellent opportunity to put 
into practice the knowledge he had acquired 
through his many years of hard study. He 
came to Davenport early in the present year, 
1894; and, judging from the success he has 
already met with in his professional labors, he 



bids fair soon to have an extensive and lucra- 
tive patronage. 

The marriage of Dr. Craig is an event so 
recent that he has not ceased to receive con- 
gratulations. On November 20, 1S94, he was 
united in the holy bonds of matrimony with 
Miss Addie Earle, Head Nurse of the Balti- 
more University Training School for Nurses. 
Mrs. Craig's parents were natives of England; 
but she was born in Baltimore, Md., and 
always lived in that city, with the exception 
of a few years that she spent in Berlin in a 
training school preparing for her profession. 
She is a communicant of the Episcopal 
church. Her father died about twenty-three 
years ago. Her mother is still living in Jial- 
timore. Mrs. Craig has two sisters and three 
brothers. Her eldest sister, Nellie, is mar- 
ried, and lives in Baltimore. The youngest 
sister is at home with her mother. The two 
elder brothers are in business in Chicago, 
while the youngest is a draughtsman in the 
Baltimore car-shops. In politics Dr. Craig 
supports the principles of the Republican 
party. Although a member of no religious 
organization, he has .been accustomed to at- 
tend the Presbyterian church. 



TT^APTAIN JAMES IRA WEBB, a 
I \y scarred and pensioned veteran of the 
^^Hs Grand Army, now engaged as a 

dealer in wagons and agricultural 
implements at Walton, Delaware County, 
N.Y., was bom in Delhi, N.Y., August 18, 
1837. He is of Scotch-Irish descent. His 
grandfather, Alanson H. Webb, who emi- 
grated from the north of Ireland about the 
year 1800, settling in Hobart, N.Y., was the 
father of three children: Josiah, father of 
Captain Webb; Cornelia, widow of John 
Wesley Hawkins, of Delhi, N.Y.; and 
James, deceased. Josiah Webb was born at 
Hobart in January, 1804. He was first mar- 
ried to Miss Hannah Bowen, of Meredith, the 
daughter of William and ICmma Bowen. The 
great-grandfather Bowen was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War, as were also two of his 
sons. At the time the alarm came that New 
York was taken he was engaged in ploughing 
in the fields. He at once unyoked hjs tearr) 




cJfiMES I, Webb. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



9» 



of oxen; and, his sons having taken all the 
firearms along with them, he hastily gathered 
together a few elothes, and, armetl with a 
pitchfork, started for the seat of war, where he 
remained for two years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Webb settled on a 
farm near Delhi, where six children were born 
to them, the youngest being James Ira. The 
others were the following: Hannah !■',. mar- 
ried Chester IC. Wellman, and settled in 
Laurens, Otsego County, where Mr. Wellman 
died. She is now a residerit of Morrice, 
Mich. Emma married Major 1".. II. Noyes. 
who was on the "Congress" at the time that 
vessel was sunk. He was Cajitain of one hun- 
dred and twenty marines, all of whom were 
aboard; and most of them perished. He was 
made Chief Commissary at h^ortress Monroe, 
with the rank of Major. Juliette married 
James A. Harvey, a wholesale liquor dealer 
of Sparta, Wis. Ruth Adaline married John 
Hastings, now deceased. Mrs. Hastings at 
the present time resides in Kansas City. I^r. 
Josiah Watson Webb went to Chicago, where 
he took up the study of medicine, graduating 
from the Bennett Medical College of that 
city. He began practice in Chicago, subse- 
quently going to Salt Lake City, where he 
lectured for one w'inter. Thence he went to 
Oakland, Cal., and there founded the Oakland 
Medical College. He died February 13, 1.S79, 
being at that time President of the college. 
His wife was an own cousin of Robert G. 
Insersoll. Mr. Webb's second marriage was 
to Miss I'nlly Krofft, by whom he had six 
children, namely: George, who enlisted in 
Company H of the One Hundred and I-'orty- 
fourth New York Volunteer Lifantry, serving 
with honor and distinction throughout the 
war, and died at Hornellsville, N.Y.: Mary, 
wife of Thomas Kane, of Susquehanna, I'a. : 
Elizabeth, wife of George Chulib, of Hor- 
nellsville: Aletta, of Atldison, X."\'., widow 
of L Morse; Arthur L., an engineer on the 
S. & I{. Railroad; and Charles, a conductor 
on Delaware Division Railroad. 

fames I. Webb, who lost his mother when 
he was about a year and a half old, resided 
with his father until he was fourteen years of 
age, and u]) to this period had never attended 
school. He now started out in the world 



alone. Having a sister at Laurens, he went 
there to live, working at any honest emjjloy- 
ment he could get, a portion of the time earn- 
ing only about three dollars per month. The 
winter he was seventeen years old he attended 
a district school, working for his board. He 
afterward spent two terms in the high school 
at Hancock. In 1858 he had attained the 
l^osition of Superintendent of the plank road 
between .Summit and Hancock. On the ist 
of May, 1861, he enlisteil in the Seventy-first 
New York Volunteer Infantry, Company I. 

Their first renilezvous was Staten Island, 
where they remained until after the battle of 
Hull Run. .Soon after that the regiment was 
called to Washington, D.C., where young 
Webb was made Orderly .Sergeant. He was 
sent on an expedition, in company with six- 
teen hundred men, to .Stafford's Court House, 
Va., and participated in the engagement of 
April 7, 1862. Thence he went to Fortress 
Monroe, and was there at the time of the fight 
between the "Merrimac" and the "Monitor." 
On the 1 2th of April he w^as promoted to the 
rank of Second Lieutenant. He was sent to 
take charge of a saw and grist mill near 
Cheeseman's Creek Landing, having under 
him thirty men who were engaged in sawing 
lumber for use in the fortification of York- 
town. He reported to his regiment on the 
night of the e\'acuation of that city. He was 
next sent to Williamsburg, and for a time 
was occupied in gathering up stragglers from 
the armv, being successful in picking up 
about three hundred, taking them to White 
Oak .Swamp' just as the engagement com- 
menced, and narrowly escaped being made 
jirisoner by General Jubal Early. He went 
thence to i''air Oaks, partici])ating with his 
com])an_\' in the desperate bayonet charge. 
While lying in the redoubt in front of the 
Twin House, he, in comijanv with Ccdonel 
H. L. Potter, resohed to find out the position 
of the rebels. .Starting forth on their jieril- 
ous undertaking, and coming to a large white 
oak, the Lieutenant climbed to the top, and. 
by the aid of a powerful glass, gathered much 
valuable information. The following day he 
and the Colonel again went out to recon- 
noitre; but, by the time the Lieutenant was 
fairly located in the top of the tree, the 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



bullets Hew thick and fast around his head. 
He at once hurried down from his lofty posi- 
tion, and betook himself to safer quarters. 
He was next engaged in the seven days' fight, 
and at the second battle of Malvern Hill was 
made Adjutant. 

Arriving at Warrenton on August 27, 1862, 
he retired as Adjutant, and took command of 
his old company in the Seventy-first Regi- 
ment. He could rally only twenty-four men 
fit to enter into the engagement, and seven- 
teen out of this number were killed and 
wounded. He himself was twice hit, and 
carries one of the bullets in his side to this 
day. P'or meritorious service he was pro- 
moted to be Captain on September 12, 1S62, 
and was sent to the hospital at Washington, 
D.C. The following winter, to save his life 
it was thought best to send him to New York, 
under the care and charge of Surgeon-general 
Hammond. The following April he returned 
to Washington, out of money, and with no 
means of obtaining it, as he had never been 
mustered in as Captain of his company. At 
that time a special order had been issued dis- 
charging all officers and men who had not 
been in their companies for a certain length 
of time. This would have discharged Captain 
Webb; but, being desirous of remaining in 
the service, he wrote to Adjutant General 
Sprague, who advised him to go to his regi- 
ment. The General forwarding his commis- 
sion, he joined his regiment, where he was 
soon mustered in as Captain, and took com- 
mand of his company, although he was then 
carrying his arm in a sling. He was at the 
battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellors- 
ville, and was ranking Captain and acted as 
Lieutenant Colonel, his two companies being 
engaged at the front when the rebel general, 
Stonewall Jackson, fell. Captain Webb soon 
after resigned, with the rank of Brevet Major. 
He draws a pension for a gunshot wound of 
the right arm and shoulder. 

Captain Webb was married April 26, 1871, 
to Miss Florence M. Roff, a daughter of 
Lieutenant William II. Roff, of the Second 
New York Heavy Artillery, who received his 
death wound at Cold Harbor, dying in the 
hospital at Washington, D.C. After his 
marriage Captain Webb purchased a farm of 



four hundred and fifty acres. In October, 
1887, he came to Walton, where he has since 
been engaged in the sale of agricultural im- 
plements. Captain and Mrs. Webb have two 
children: b:tta J., barn June 12, 1874; and 
Ethel E., born February 15, 187S. 

In politics he is a stanch supporter of the 
Republican party, and served as a member on 
the Town Committee. He is a Director of 
the First National Bank of W'alton, and a 
member of the Financial Committee. He is 
a member of the Ben Marvin Post, Grand 
Army of the Republic, No. 209, and has 
served as Adjutant, at the present time being 
Senior Vice-Commander. He is a member of 
Walton Lodge, No. 559, A. F. & A. M., and 
is also a member of She-hawken Chapter, No. 
258. He is a member of the Baptist church, 
and is Trustee and President of the Board, 
and is at present the President of the village. 

Captain Webb is a man of strong patriot- 
ism, and eager to promote the welfare of his 
country. He has always taken a deep interest 
in the affairs of the town, and has at all times 
exhibited an unwavering rectitude of charac- 
ter. A portrait of this true-hearted Ameri- 
can citizen, who fought and bled for the 
Union in its hour of peril, and has now ex- 
changed rifle and sword for ploughshares and 
harvesters, may be seen on another page. 



AMi;S S. WILSON, who was one of 
the youngest Union soldiers in the late 
war, was born in Delhi, Delaware 
County, April 25, 1847. His grand- 
father came to New York in the early days 
from Vermont, and had a son. Freeman Wil- 
son, who was born in Colchester, June 10, 
1812, and died July 12, 1862. Freeman 
Wilson was brought up on a farm, being one 
of a family of six; namely, Daniel, Freeman, 
William, Thomas, Sylvia A., and Adaline. 
He kept a store in Delhi, and was a success- 
ful business man. His wife, Eunice Page, 
who was born in 1812, and died September. 
13, 1856, was the mother of three sons — 
Daniel P., James S., and William H. Her 
father, Solomon Page, came from Vermont 
early in this century, and settled in Franklin 
on what is called "Page's Hill." His wife, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



93 



Irene, died l'~cbniary 14, 184S, aged sixtv- 
nine years, leavini; the following family: 
John, Horace, llirani. Ralph, Solomon, 
Laura, I.etitia, Miranda, Marcia, luuiice. 
Mr. Pago was a carpentei': he passed iiis last 
days in L'nadilla. 

James S. Wilson, second son of l'"rei.'nian 
and luinice, when live years old came to 
Trout Creek, receiving there the ordinary 
education of that time. .\t the outbreak of 
the Southern Rebellion he had not seen his 
fourteenth birthday, but he was none the K'ss 
shortlv tired with patriotic zeal and military 
artlor. When the Mightv-seventh Regiment 
was being recruiteil at hdiiiira. he, with four 
other boys, ran away from home, and at- 
tempted to enlist: but the ol'ficer in charge re- 
fused to accept him on account of his youth. 
His determination, however, was strong: 
and, through the inter\enlion of Llder Co\'ey, 
Chaplain of the (^)ne Hundred antl l-"irst New 
York State \"olunteers at Hancock, he suc- 
ceeded in enlisting in Company 1), late in 
1S61. This company was consolidated with 
five companies from Syracuse, and proceedeil 
to Calaroma Heights. Washington, thence by 
transport to White House Landing, Va., in 
the spring of 1862. Private Wilson was first 
put under fire at Fair Oaks, and for seven 
days was in the fight before Richmond. 
Afterward he participated in the engagements 
at Savage Station, Ream's Station, Charles 
City Cross-roads, Harrison's Landing. Mal- 
vern Hill, Vorktown, whence he went b\' 
transportation to Alexandria, marching then 
to Warrington Junction, then to Bull Run for 
the second battle there. (~)n the following 
day the company was ordered to Chant illy. 
In the darkness they came u])on the enemy 
before they knew it; and, at the same time 
that General Kearny received his death 
wounds, Mr. Wilson was shot, barely cscajj- 
ing with his life. Not a commissioned officer 
was left, and scarcely seventy-five out of the 
whole regiment remained to tell of the 
slaughter. These were then consolidated 
with the Thirty-seventh New York State Yol- 
unteers. In the night of September i, dur- 
ing a heavy thunder-storm, the troops were 
drawn up in line of battle. While engageti, 
and after firing over twenty rounds of car- 



tridi;es, Mr. Wilson was struck b\' a musket- 
ball, wiiich lodged in his right side, and 
would probably have ended his life had its 
course not been checked by a rubl)er blanket 
which was slung over his shouldei'. lie was 
carried to the rear, when (icneral Hurney 
ordered his comrades to the front again; and 
he crawled under a large beech-tree, which 
was riddled with bullets, and lay there till 
his comrades, one of whom was John C. Has- 
kins, of Tomiikins, were released frf)ni duty 
after the battle, and he was then taken to a 
barn and received medical attention. When 
the ball w;is t;iken out, a piece of the blanket 
was tound on the back of it in the wountl. 
In tlu' morning thev were taken prisoners, 
paroled, and after se\en days the ambu- 
lances came and tocjk them to Washington. 
Mr. Wilson was at Douglas Hospital for three 
months, and was then ordi'red to Annapolis. 
Before going there, howe\er, he went home, 
staying two months, and then re[5orting at 
Klmira, whence he went to Annapolis, and 
joined the Thirtv-seventh Now \'ork State 
\'olunteeis. He afterward was present at 
I'almouth, I'redericksburg, and Chancellors- 
ville. Being taken sick after the last battle, 
he was sent to Alexandria; and after his re- 
covery, the ThirtN-seventh being mustered 
out, lie was transferred to the I'ortieth at 
Brandy -Station. With them he was at Mine 
Run, after which his regiment re-enlisted, 
and he with them, and then came home on a 
furhiugh. .After thirtv davs he returned to 
Branch' Station, ami was in the battles of 
the Wilderness, .Spottsylvania, ("old Harbor, 
North Anna, Petersburg, Deep liottom, and 
Weldon. There was now continuous fighting 
until Lees surrender, and Mr. Wilson never 
missed a battle or skirmish in which his regi- 
ment took part. After the surrender he 
marchet! witli the rest to Washington, where 
the troo[)s were reviewed; and he was mus- 
tered out in July, 1865. after four years of 
continuous service. 

After the war Mr. Wilson came to Trout 
Creek, anil engaged in various business vent- 
ures. He was at first proprietor, in company 
with his brother Daniel, of the hotel which he 
now carries on. Buying out his brother, he 
then successively traded the iiotel for a farm, 



94 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Wilson married 

of William and 

William Austin 



and the farm for a grist-mill, starting his 
younger brother in the hotel business in 
Masonville. He next bought a saw-mill, 
which he carried on with Daniel for eight 
years, then worked it alone for two years, and 
finally sold it to L. L. Teed, trading his 
grist-mill for a farm in Aroostook County, 
Maine. Selling the farm, he bought a hotel 
in Unadilla, and after three years bought an- 
other in New Berlin, which he sold, and 
bought one in Sidney. This he sold inside 
of a week, and leased the Ouguaga House at 
Deposit. After a time he sold his lease and 
his furniture, and, removing to Roxbury, went 
into the livery business. A year later he 
went to Middleburg, Schoharie County, lived 
there two and one-half years, and then re- 
turned to Trout Creek, and bought the hotel 
he first owned, and which he now runs in con- 
nection with his other business of buying and 
selling cattle. 

On June 15, 1871, Mr. 
Deborah Austin, daughter 
Harriet (Darling) Austin, 
was born in Middletovvn, Delaware County. 
His great-grandfather was Pardon Austin, of 
Putnam County, who cleared a tract of land 
on the Delaware River, and erected a log 
cabin. He and Alden Peckham were the first 
settlers in this district, and they kept their 
sheep and cows close to their cabins to protect 
them from the wolves which infested the 
neighborhood. One night, as Peckham was 
leaving the Austin farm for his own, two 
miles distant, he heard the screech of a 
panther, and only saved his own life by rais- 
ing his gun quickly and shooting the animal. 
Experiences of this kind were common occur- 
rences; and Great-grandmother Austin, who 
was Rhoda Stanton, of Dutchess County, had 
to be continually on her guard against the 
wild animals, who made frequent visits upon 
her in her doorless cabin. It is related of her 
that once, when her husband was on a four 
days' journey to the nearest market, she was 
attacked by wolves in great numbers, and all 
night long fought them off with blazing 
brands from the fire, and was well-nigh ex- 
hausted when help arrived. Pardon Austin 
started the first tannery in that section; and 
the farm in Middletown is still in the family. 



always descending to the youngest child. 
Alexander Austin, son of Pardon and Rhoda, 
was one of ten children, and worked on the 
home farm, going forty-five miles to the near- 
est market, carrying with him the cloth which 
his wife had spun from the flax and wool of 
their own raising. His wife was Deborah 
Dean, of Middletovvn. Their children were 
Alfred, William, Adaline, Henry, Theopho- 
lis, Julia, Clarinda, Huldah, and Polly. 

William Austin, father of Mrs. Wilson, 
came to Trout Creek when young, and built 
the house now occupied by Mr. Wilson as a 
hotel ; and there he kept the first store of the 
village. He married Harriet Darling, daugh- 
ter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Drake) Dar- 
ling, of Broome, Schoharie County. Joseph 
Darling, her grandfather, and his wife, Abi- 
gail Bull, were natives of Blenheim; and he 
was a blacksmith and farmer. Jeremiah was 
at one time a schoolmaster. He spent his 
last days in Trout Creek, and left the follow- 
ing children: Harriet, Aaron, Moses, An- 
drew, Charles, Elizabeth, and Mary. The 
Drake family came from Massachusetts early 
in the century. Joshua Drake, great-grand- 
father of Mrs. Wilson, was a soldier in the 
War of 1 81 2. He settled at Harpersfield, and 
later in Loomis. William Austin after his 
marriage went to Canada, and engaged in 
horse-trading, and, returning, first bought a 
farm on Knickerbocker Hill, and then bought 
the one where he now lives, the L. L. Teed 
place. He had three children — Deborah, 
George H., and Bessie. 

Deborah, wife of James S. Wilson, was born 
at Osbrook, Canada, in 1S53, and was educated 
at Trout Creek. She is the mother of four 
children: Eunice L., born January 27, 1872, 
who married Roma Wakeman, a farmer in 
Walton; William A., born July 29, 1873; 
Hattie L., born August 17, 1876; Florence 
H., born F"ebruary 27, 1878. 

James S. Wilson has a large circle of 
friends and acquaintances, who look to him 
with the respect due to a man of his character, 
a citizen that so nobly served his country in 
the time of its greatest need. His brother 
Daniel is a farmer in Tompkins; and William 
is a prominent citizen of Masonville, having 
been Supervisor and Justice of the Peace. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



95 




l.l.IAM j. THOMPSON, ;i repre- 
sentative farmer of the town of 
Delhi, has a fine estate of two hun- 
dred and seventy acres lying on the Little 
Delaware, which, with its handsome resi- 
dence, commodious harn, and other suitahle 
out-buildings, constitutes one of the most at- 
tractive homesteads in this part of Delaware 
County. Mr. Thompson was born on April 
6, 1856, in Middletown in this county. He 
comes of stanch Scotch ancestry, his father, 
James M. Thompson, having been born and 
bred among the (Irampian Hills, in Perth- 
shire, -Scotland. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and resided for thirty years in the land 
which gave him birth. Being then desirous 
of bettering his financial condition, he sailed 
for America, a country of great possibilities 
for- a poor man, and after his arrival came 
directlv to this jiart of the Empire State, set- 
tling in Mitldletown. He bought a tract of 
forest land, and for twenty years he was en- 
gaged in its improvement. Then, selling 
that property, he came to Delhi, where he 
purchased the farm now owned and occupied 
by his son William, and resided here until his 
departure from this life, at the age of seventy- 
two years. 

He was twice married. His first wife, 
Rachel Cairns, daughter of William Cairns, a 
life-long resident of Roxburyshire, Scotland, 
lived but a short time after her marriage, 
dying in the land of her birth, antl leaving 
one son, John M. Thomi-ison. Her sister, 
Beatrice Cairns, became his second wile, their 
nuptials being celebrated in Scotland: and of 
their union were born five children, three 
daughters and two sons. Betsey, the eldest, 
is the widow of William Thompson, a farmer, 
and resides in Delhi. Jessie, who married 
William Aiken, lives in Andes. Annie mar- 
ried Robert Blair, of Delhi. The sons are 
William J. and Melville hi. Thompson, lioth 
the father and mother were respected members 
of the Presbyterian church, having made a 
public profession of their faith while in Scot- 
land, and from the Perthshire church bringing 
letters to the church in Middletown, and 
afterward being received into the church at 
Delhi by letter. 

William J. Thompson received a good prac- 



tical education in the days of his xouth, and 
from his earliest remembrance lias i)een en- 
gaged in agricultural labor. L'ntil twenty- 
four years of age he assisted his father in 
clearing and tilling the old home farm, antl 
then in company with his brother bought the 
entire property. After taking possession, the 
brothers at once began making extensive 
improvements, both in the land and buildings, 
erecting a large and convenient barn, sixty- 
four feet by forty-six feet, and thirty-three 
feet in height, besides other buildings need- 
ful for their increased work. They enlarged 
their dairy from twenty-three cows t(j sixty, 
and in addition thereto keep forty head of 
young stock and six fine horses. His cows 
are Jersey grades, which produce large quanti- 
ties of rich milk; and this is sent direct to 
New Yoik City. Five years ago the partner- 
shi]) between the brothers was dissolved; and 
since that time Mr. William Thompson has 
continued the business alone, meeting with 
the same success as in ])revious <lays. He is 
a thorough business man and agriculturist, 
honest and upright in all of his transactions, 
antl fully entitled to the higli res[)ect accorded 
him by all. 

Mr. Thomjjson was married November i, 
1884, to Isabella J. Mabel, a grand-daughter 
of Robert Mabel, one of Delaware County's 
most honored pioneers, who emigrated from 
Scotland with a large family in 1822, and set- 
tled in Delhi. He bought a farm on the 
Little Delaware, and there he and his good 
wife s]K'nt their remaining years. They 
reared a family of five children — Robert. 
James, Alexander, Jeannette, and Mary. The 
third son. Alexander Mabel, was the father of 
Mrs. Thomjison. He was bred to a farmer's 
life, and became one of the influential men of 
this part of the county, holding many of the 
local offices of the town, and also of the Agri- 
cultural Society of the county. He married 
Isabella .Middlemas: and they became the 
parents ot seven children, as follows: 
Thomas, a ranchman, resides in California; 
Robert A., a farmer, lives in Delhi; James 
D., a farmer, lives on the old homestead; 
Samuel W.. deceased; Isabella J., Mrs. 
Thompson; Agnes, the wife of Charles Mc- 
Gregor; and Lizzie, who lives on the old 



96 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



homestead with her brother James. Mr. and 
Mrs. Mabel spent the first forty years of their 
married life on the old homestead, but subse- 
quently removed to a farm in the town, where 
they spent their last years. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson has 
been brightened by the birth of two smart and 
active boys — Edward H. and .Samuel W. 
Politically, Mr. Thompson is a steadfast 
Republican; and, although no aspirant for 
official honors, he takes a warm interest in 
local affairs. The pleasant home of the fam- 
ily is the resort of a host of friends, whom 
they delight to entertain. 




RV W. HOLMES, Postmaster 
ind Justice of the Peace in the town 



of Hamden, is a resident of De 
Lancey and a citizen of high standing 
in Delaware County. He was born in Delhi, 
June 14, 1859, but has resided in DeLancey 
since the age of one year. He was educated 
in the public school of DeLancey and at Dela- 
ware Academy at Delhi, which he attended 
during the years 1876, 1877, and 1878. He 
commenced teaching at the age of seventeen, 
and for eleven years pursued that vocation, 
being employed in all the larger public 
schools in the towns of Hamden and Delhi. 
In 1887 he was elected to the ofhce of Justice 
of the Peace, and, at the expiration of his term 
in 1891, was re-elected, and still holds that 
office, doing a large share of the justice court 
business of the town. 

In 1892 he was appointed Postmaster at 
DeLancey by the Harrison administration, 
and, although an ardent Republican, has not 
been removed by the Cleveland administration. 
He was one of fourteen postmasters out of 
ninety-six in Delaware County whose conduct 
of their offices was, after an examination b\' 
special inspectors in 1893, officially declared 
by the Postmaster-General to be excellent or 
first-class. He was United .States Census 
Enumerator in 1880, and again in 1890, tak- 
ing the census of the entire town each time, 
being the first enumerator in Delaware County 
to receive his compensation in 1890, and 
being honored with a special letter of com- 
mendation from the superintendent of the 



census for the eflficiency and accuracy of his 
work. 

For the past six years Mr. Holmes has been 
a regularly employed correspondent for vari- 
ous local papers, and has written during that 
time an immense amount of local, general, 
and editorial matter. He is at present on the 
staff of the Delaware Express, publisiied at 
Delhi, N.Y. 

Mr. Holmes is an only son. His father, 
Henry Holmes, a native of Paisley, Scotland, 
came to this country in 1829, at the age of 
nine years, and settled in Holmes Hollow in 
Delhi, where he resided till his removal to 
DeLancey. In 1850 he married Lucinda 
Peake, a grand-daughter of Roswell Peake, one 
of the early pioneers. At the time of her mar- 
riage Miss Peake was a popular school-teacher, 
and she still takes an active interest in educa- 
tional affairs. Mr. Holmes, the senior, was a 
lumberman and farmer in Holmes Hollow, own- 
ing a saw-mill, manufacturing his own lumber, 
and rafting it down the Delaware River to 
Philadelphia every spring. After selling his 
farm and removing to DeLancey, he continued 
his lumbering business until about 1873, when 
the dejjletion of the hemlock forests put an 
end to that industry in this vicinity. He has 
ever been prominent in public affairs, and has 
held almost every town office from Supervisor 
down to Inspector of Elections, and was Post- 
master at DeLancey from 1889 until 1892, 
when he resigned because of failing health. 




,ISS LAI RA GAY, a retired 
teacher of the town of Walton, 
who was for the last six years of 
her life an efficient member of 
the Board of Education, died here a short 
time since, July 28, 1894, deeply lamented 
bv a large circle of friends. She was one of 
the early graduates of Vassar College, of the 
class of June 20, 1869; and, possessing much 
native force of character, her influence as a 
woman of culture was widely felt. In relig- 
ion she was an Episcopalian. Miss Gay was 
the daughter of David Hyde and Susan (Gar- 
diner) Gay, and a grand-daughter of William 
Gay, who was a pioneer settler on the banks 
of East Brook. 



BIOGRAPHICAI, REVIEW 



97 



The progenitor of the family in America was 
John Ciay, who came o\er in the ship "Mary 
and John," landini;- in Boston in 1630, and 
first settling in W^atertown, Mass., but be- 
coming a founder of the neighboring town of 
Dedham before 1636. He died there, on 
March 4, 1688 (the very year when William 
of Orange and Mary Stuart w'cre jointly estab- 
lished on the I'Lnglish throne), his wife Jo- 
anna surviving till August 14, 1691. Among 
their ten children was one Samuel, born in 
Dedham, March 10. 1639, married to Mary 
Bridge, November 23, 1661, and died in his 
native place on April 5, 171 8, aged seventy- 
nine, two days after the death of his wife, 
with whom he had lived happily for fifty-six 
years, rearing five sons and three daughters. 
Their third son was John, born June 25, 1668. 
He married Mary Fisher, of Dedham, on May 
24, 1692, and died on the first day of June, 
1758, aged ninety, having outlived by a dec- 
ade his wife, who tiled May 18, 1748, having 
borne seven children. John, Jr., their second 
son, was born in Dedham on July 8, 1699, 
and died in Sharon, Conn., on August 6, 
1792, aged ninety-three, having lived through 
the Revolution, which began when he was six 
years past his threescore and ten, too old to 
take part in the patriotic contest. His wife 
was Lydia Culver. They were married in 
1721, and reared eleven children. 

This brings us to their son, Colonel Eben- 
ezer Gay, born in Litchfield, Conn., on the 
day after Christmas, 1725. He was twenty- 
five years old when he came to Sharon, and 
married Anna Cole, who bore him four sons 
and two daughters. The Colonel was a mill- 
tia ofificer, and served in the Revolution with 
distinguished bravery at Danbury and other 
places. He died at Sharon, July 16, 1781, at 
the age of fifty-six; and his resting-place is ; 
marked by a headstone, now one hundred and 
seven years old. Colonel Ebenezer had a 
son, David Gay, born March 24, 1756, who 
married Keziah Merchant, and reared two sons 
and one daughter. One of these, William , 
Gay. who was born in Sharon on September 
21, 1776, came to Walton in 1804, and settled 
on a farm on East Brook. He married Anna 
Seymour; and their son, David Hyde Gay, 
was born in 181 5. William Gay died on 



March 25, 1854, just nine days after the death 
of his wife. 

David Hyde Gay was the only son of his 
parents living to maturity, one other son hav- 
ing died young; and of his sisters only one 
outli\ed him, Ann, who became Mrs. William 
Henry Eells, of Walton. Like his father and 
sisters he was a teacher in early life, and 
later he was a merchant for thirty years. He 
inherited property from his parents, and also 
received it through his wife. His death oc- 
curred in Walton on October 14, 1893, at 
the age of seventy-eight years and two 
months. Though no politician, he was a de- 
cided patriot, being a war Democrat. For 
over half a century Mr. Gay was connected 
with the Episcopal church, and was for a 
quarter-century Senior Warden of the parish. 
He was a liberal supporter of educational in- 
stitutions; and, being a thoughtful and care- 
ful reader, he collected a fine library, 
including the ninth edition of the lincyclo- 
pieilia Britannica. 

The wife of David H. Gay was Susan Gar- 
diner, the third daughter of Jetur and Susanna 
(Johnson) Gardiner, and was born on the old 
family farm, on the west branch of the Dela- 
ware River, January 4, 181 1, four years before 
her husband. They were married October 21, 
1839; and she died June 12, 1887, aged 
seventy-six, six years before her husband, 
with whom she had lived forty-eight years. 
Her father, Jetur Gardiner, died in Walton, 
November 11, 181 i, of pleurisy, before she 
was a year old. He was descendetl in the 
seventh generation from Lion Gardiner, of 
Gardiner's Island, off the east end of Long 
Lsland. The place was known as "Gardi- 
ner's Manor," and Lion Gardiner was called 
the Lord of the manor. In the early part of 
the seventeenth century he was in Holland in 
military service with William of Orange. 
On July 10, 1635, he took his bride to Lon- 
don, and on August 16 sailed for New Eng- 
land, arriving on November 28. At first, 
under the commission of Lords Say and 
Brook, he built a fort at the mouth of the 
Connecticut River, called Saybrook, where he 
remained four years. There was born his 
son. David Gardiner. April 29, 1636, the first 
white child born in the Connecticut colony, 



98 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



though he afterward had two sisters. On the 
death of his mother in 1665, David Gardiner 
became proprietor of the island. He married 
Mary Leringman, and died in Hartford on 
July 10, 1689, very suddenly, while attending 
the General Assembly. One of his descend- 
ants, another David, was born in 1705, mar- 
ried Elizabeth Wickham in 1725, and died in 
South tlole, L.I., March 2, 1743, leaving 
four children. John Gardiner, son of the sec- 
ond David, was born in 1727, married Mary 
Reaves in 1749, and died in 1795. In the 
si.vth generation from Lion (Gardiner was 
John's son, a third David Gardiner, who was 
born September 11, 1750, married Jerusha 
Strong, August 3, 1771, and died at South 
Hole in 1784, after which, in 1799, his widow 
moved to Walton with her oldest son, Jetur, 
and there died, aged ninety-four, in Decem- 
ber, 1843. 

The father of Mrs. Jetur Gardiner, Laura 
Gay's great-grandfather, was Captain Samuel 
Johnson, a Revolutionary soldier, who came 
to Walton from the village of Northeast, 
Dutchess County, April 17, 1787, with his 
wife, Sarah Pennoyer, and ten chidren, three 
more being born after their arrival. In all 
there were seven boys and six girls, with the 
following alliterative names: Sabra; Siles; 
Solomon; Sylvia; Samuel; Sarah; Shubael ; 
Schuyler; Simeon; Susanna, who became 
Mrs. Gardiner; Sybil; Sylvester; and Susan 
Elizabeth. Well it is said by Lord Bacon: 
" It is a revered thing to see an ancient 
castle not in decay; how much more to be- 
hold an ancient family which have stood 
against the waves and weathers of time I " 




'MITH W. REED, M.D., is among 
the best-known residents of the vil- 
lage of Margarettville, in the town of 
Middletown, where he has for many 
years pursued his profession, alike with profit 
to himself and benefit to others. His grand- 
father, William Reed, came from New Eng- 
land, and settled in Pleasant Valley, Dutchess 
County, where he bought a farm, upon which 
he worked as a pioneer. He served in the 
War of 1812, was a Democrat in politics, and 
lived to be eighty-five. His eight children 



were Oliver, William, Amos, Aaron, Eben- 
ezer, Henry, Lydia, and Esther Reed. 

Oliver Reed, William's eldest son, was 
born in New London, Conn. He came early 
to Delaware County, and hired a farm in Ro.x- 
bury, where he married Eunice Dulong, 
daughter of John Dulong, a Delaware County 
farmer, who lived till the latter part of the 
nineteenth century. During the War of 
18 12 Oliver Reed did military duty for three 
months at Sackett's Harbor. Later he re- 
moved to Cortland County, where he died at 
the age of eighty-four, his wife living to be 
three years older. Both were members of the 
Presbyterian church. He was at first a Dem- 
ocrat, but later became a Republican. They 
had a large family of thirteen children, ten 
living to maturity. Esther Reed married a 
farmer named Abram Blumberg, and had four 
children. William Reed died in our Civil 
War, fighting bravely in the One Hundred 
and Sixty-fifth New York Regiment of Vol- 
unteers. John Dulong Reed lives with his 
family in Michigan. Aaron D. Reed became 
a physician, married Marian Hubbell, and 
died in Cortland County, New York, leaving 
two children. Lydia Reed married Peter 
Baljea, lives in Cortland County, and has two 
children. Phebe Reed is the wife of Loren 
Cole, a Michigan farmer. Dr. S. W. Reed is 
the subject of this sketch. Polly Reed is 
married to Chapman Grinnell, a Tompkins 
County farmer. Orin C. Reed married Mary 
Ann Russell, and was killed in the Rebellion 
of 1861-65, leaving one child. Sherman S. 
Reed married Miss Fanny Pierce, and lives in 
Tioga County. 

Smith W. Reed was born in Roxbury, 
June 21, 1830. He was educated in the Rox- 
bury common schools, and in the Delaware 
Institute at P"ranklin. In the fall of 1850, 
when twenty years of age, he came to Margar- 
ettville, in order to study medicine with his 
elder brother Aaron, and subsequently received 
a diploma at the Vermont Medical College in 
1854. After practising in the same town 
with his brother for a year, the young man 
went to the. town of Liberty in Sullivan 
County, but did not stay there long, for he 
found a stronger attraction in his old field, 
where he was already so well and kindly 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



99 



known; and there he has ever since remained, 
having the largest practice in the neighbor- 
hood. In 1S90 he opened a drug store, one 
of the finest business places in the village; 
and in 1867 lie built a very large house on 
Walnut Street, where he has since resided. 
In fact, he built this residence in consequence 
of his marriage, which had taken place in 
1865. The bride was Harriett A. Diunond; 
but, she dying at the early age of nineteen, 
the Doctor was again married, the bride being 
Frances A. Dumond, an aunt of his first wife, 
and the daughter of Cornelius and Sylvia 
(Wood) Dumond. Of this union have come 
four children, namely: Harriett Amanila 
Reed, who died young; Randolph R. Reed, 
Emma Dumond Reed, and Smith W. Keed, 
Jr., who are all at home. The doctor is a 
Democrat, and has thirteen times filled the 
office of Supervisor of the town. 

The present Mrs. Reed was born December 
8, 1846. Her grandfather was Egnos Du- 
mond; and from him the genealogy runs back 
lineally through Peter, Egnos, and John, to 
Waldron Dumond, a native of France, who 
was exiled in the religious troubles, and mar- 
ried his wife in Hollantl. At first the name 
was spelled de Mont, then Du .Mond. and 
finally Dumond. WaUlron Dumond settled 
on Long Island as a farmer. His first ap- 
pearance in the records was on March 28, 
1660, as a soldier in Netherlandish service, 
in the company of his noble honor, the Direc- 
tor-General, Peter Stuyvesant, then stationed 
at lisopus (Kingston), N.V. Waldron was 
one of the Military Council, December i, 1663. 
On January 13, 1664, he married Margaret 
Hendrix, widow of Arentsen Hendrix. His 
son John married Nelltye Van Vegden. 
I'^gnos, son of John, married No\ember 13, 
1725, Catherine Schuyler, daughter of David 
Schuyler and Eliza Rutgers. David Schuyler 
was Mayor of Albany in 1706 and 1707. His 
son Peter, born about 1730, married Elsie 
\'an Waggenen. Their son, Egnos Dumond, 
was born in Shandaken village, and married 
Harriett Winnie. Their children were Will- 
iam. Egnos, James, Cornelius, Christian, 
Abraham, Harriet, .Mary, .Sally, and Anna. 
The parents were among the early settlers of 
New Kingston, Mr. Egnos Dumond receiving 

LOFC 



a tract of land in recompense for his Kingston 
house burned during the Rev(;lution, in which 
he patriotically fought. Hoth he and his wife 
lived to a good old age in Middletown, and 
belonged to the Dutch Reformed church. 

Cornelius Dumond was born in .Shandaken, 
came with his father lignos to Delaware 
County, and settled in New Kingston, where 
he bought a new farm of three hundred acres. 
His first wife was born in New Kingston. 
Her name was Mary Vaple, and she bore 
eight children: Harriett, Jane, John Yai)le, 
Catherine, Mary, Phebe, Prudence, and Mi- 
nerva Dumond. After her death, in middle 
life, he was again married to Sylvia Wood, 
daughter of Christian Wood, by whom he had 
one child, Frances A. Dumond, who became, 
as mentioned above, the second wife of Dr. 
Reed. Mr. Dumond continued nearly all his 
life on the farm now owned by John T. Archi- 
bakl. He built first a log cabin, and then a 
frame house in place of the old building. He 
lived to be eighty-two, but his wife died ten 
years younger. In politics he was a Demo- 
crat, and both husband and wife were Presby- 
terians. Among their children still living 
are Jane, Mary, Catherine, and Prudence. 
Harriett Dumond married W. Sanford. and, 
dying, left five children. Jane Dumond mar- 
ried William Reynolds, and had ten children. 
John Yaple Dumond married Priscilla Hilton, 
and had six children. Catherine Dumond 
married Cornelius Vansiclen, and had nine 
children. Mary Dumond married William 
Palmateer, and had ten children. Phebe Du- 
mond married Caleb Travis, and had three 
chihlren. Prudence Dumond married Charles 
Macomber, and had ten children. .Minerva 
Dumond married Peter F. Swart, and had six 
children. Both Doctor and Mrs. Reed have 
rea.son to be proud of their progenitors. The 
great English physician. Sir Benjamin Brodie, 
has well said, and it is a sentiment embodied 
in such lives as are commemorated in this 
sketch : — 

"Nothing in this world is so good as use- 
fulness. It binds your fellow-creatures to 
you. and you to them: it tends to the im- 
provement of your own character, and it gives 
you a real importance in society, much beyond 
what anv artificial station can bestow." 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 




lent farm which he 
Major Butts farm, 
of twelve children, 
ters, only one of 



RSON J. BUTTS, the enterprising 
proprietor of an extensive milk farm 
in the south part of Kortright, N.Y., 
was born in this town on December 
21, 1845, son of Jeremiah and Emma (Dart) 
Butts. His eminent ancestor. Major Jere- 
miah Butts, was also a native of Delaware 
County, the family being among the early set- 
tlers of Kortright. The Major, after an early 
life spent on the farm, became an officer in 
the War of 18 12, and afterward was promi- 
nent in the affairs of the town. The excel- 
owned was known as the 
Here he reared a family 
five sons and seven daugh- 
whom is now living — 
Mrs. Loranda Barlow, of Binghamton. Major 
Butts spent his last days on his farm, dying 
at the age of eighty-four; and his wife, who 
was Beulah Sheldon, of Dutchess County, 
died at the same place at the age of seventy- 
eight. They were members of the Baptist 
church, and he was a Democrat. The grand- 
father of Orson J. Butts was Wilson Butts, 
who spent most of his life in Kortright, hav- 
ing come from Harpersfield, where he first 
settled. He was a hard-working farmer, and 
one whose success was due to his own efforts. 
His first wife, Lucy Smith, died at the age of 
thirty-six, leaving five children, the only one 
now surviving being Mrs. Mariette Banks, 
wife of Henry D. Banks, of Kortright. Wil- 
son Butts afterward married Amy Reynolds, 
by whom he had two children, the one now 
living being Mrs. Candace S. Murdock, wife 
of Matthew Murdock, of Kortright Centre. 
Wilson Butts was a member of the Baptist 
church. When he died, he had attained the 
age of sixty-seven years. 

Jeremiah, father of Orson J. Butts, located 
himself in 1835 on the farm now owned by 
his son, and here followed farming all his 
life. The farm consisted at first of sixty 
acres; but by industrious application and 
good management he became so prosperous 
that he was able at the time of his death 
in 1880, at the age of sixty-five, to see 
double this number in his possession. He 
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church at Bloomville, and in politics a Demo- 
crat, and was a prominent man in town affairs, 



being for many years Assessor. His wife, 
Emma Dart, died at the age of fifty, having 
been the mother of five children, namely: 
Wilson W., of Goshen, Ind. ; Orson J.; Ovid 
L. ; Lucy Ann; and Robert J. Ovid L. was 
a prominent and successful physician of 
Bloomville, where he died in 1876, aged 
thirty-six, leaving a wife and one child who 
survived him but one year. Lucy Ann died 
at twenty-one. Robert J. died in 1856, when 
but eight years old. 

Orson J. Butts was educated at the district 
school and at Stamford and Delhi Academies. 
He taught school some twelve terms and then, 
in 1875, bought the farm on which he now 
lives, consisting at first of one hundred and 
eighty acres, and comprising now about three 
hundred acres. He has about sixty cattle, 
Jersey grades, and sells his milk, the amount 
produced in 1893 being about three thousand 
four hundred cans. He has also given some 
attention to horse-raising, in which, as in his 
dairying, he has been very successful. 

On July I, 1875, Mr. Butts married Anna 
E. Eells, daughter of Deacon Horace D. 
Eells, a resident of L^nadilla, a mention of 
whom may be found in the "Otsego County 
Biographical Review." She is a member of 
the Presbyterian church at Unadila. Mr. and 
Mrs. Butts have no children. Mr. Butts is a 
libera] Democrat, but has never taken an 
active part in politics. His excellent farm is 
a model of thrift and neatness, his fine build- 
ings and latest modern improvements showing 
the care and pride of its owner. He is one of 
the leading farmers of this part of the town, 
and a man who is held in much respect. 




,HARLES H. VERRILL, A.M., 
Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics, 
Civics, and Methods, has been 
Principal of the Delaware Literary 
Institute at F"ranklin for the past seventeen 
years, and has ably discharged the duties de- 
volving upon him in this responsible position, 
gaining a wide and enviable reputation as an 
educator. He is a native of Massachusetts, 
having been born in 1837 in Dorchester, then 
a suburb of Boston, but now included within 
its limits. His ancestry is English, and is 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



traced to Captain Samuel X'crrill who sailed 
from England in the seventeenth century, and 
landed at Cajjc Cod, Mass. His father hav- 
ing- tlied wiien he was young, he li\ed with 
his uncle, Alden ]. Verrill. He hecame an 
inmate C)f his home in Aulnun, IMe., living 
with him eleven years. 

At the age of fifteen years, he entered a 
shoe-shop to learn the trade, and serveil an 
apprenticeship. l)in-ing this time Professor 
Verrill, who was an ambitious student, at- ! 
tended school three months, anil taught school 
one term. Leaving the shoe-shop, he fitted 
himself for college at the I.ewiston Falls 
Academy, and at the Maine State Seminary of 
Lewiston, matriculating at Bowdoin College 
in 1858, and being graduated from that insti- j 
tution in 1862. Professor Verrill began his 
professional labors very soon after, holding 
the principalship of the P'ast Corinth Acad- 
emy in Maine t\>r three years. He subse- 
quently became Professor of Mathematics at 
the Pennsylvania State Normal School at 
Mansfield, remaining there until 1869 as one 
of its corps of instructors, and the following 
eight years occu])ied the position of Princijial 
of that school. In 1877 he was elected Prin- ; 
cipal of the Delaware Literary Institute, 
Franklin, N.Y., an office for which his talents 
and fine scholarly attainments eminently qual- 
ify him, and in which he is giving universal 
satisfaction. As an active member and 
worker in the teachers" associations of Penn- 
sylvania and New- York, and as an instructor 
in teachers' institutes for the past twenty-five 
years, he has gained a great popularity and 
distinction, his scholarship, affability, and 
enthusiasm being among the elements of his 
success. 

On May 3. 1871. Dr. Verrill was married 
to Miss ICmma J. Shattuck, of Hlossburg, Pa. 
She is a daughter of the late Levi II. and 
.Sarah (Pack) Shattuck, and is a woman of 
culture and many accomplishments, having 
been educated at the Mount Holyoke Semi- 
nary, in Massachusetts. Of the children who 
have been born into their household, two have 
been taken from earth: Arthur, a babe of five 
months; and Howard, a bright and promising 
boy of eight and one-half years. The two 
older children are now living: Henry Shat- 



tuck V^errill, born October 12, 1872; and 
Sarah .Shattuck W-rrill, a young lady <ii nine- 
teen years. Henry was graduated from Dela- 
ware Literary Institute in the class of 1888 
and from Hamilton College in tlie class of 
1892, and is now Professor of Rhetoric and 
Literature at Park College in Parkvillc, Mo. 
.Sarah, who is an accomplished musician, was 
graduated from the Delaware Literary Insti- 
tute in 1891, and is now pursuing her studies 
in the F'lmira College. 

Religiously, Professor Verrill is a member 
of the Congregational church of I'ranklin, and 
a Trustee of that society. He is also a li- 
censed preacher in the Delaware, Chenango, 
and Oneida Association, and has filled differ- 
ent pulpits with ability, making a good 
im|)ression by his earnest and persuasive 
manner, and delighting and ])leasing his 
hearers by his clear and logical reasoning. 
.Sociallv, he is a Master Mason, and is a 
man of good financial skill, and has for 
some years been a Director in the I'irst Na- 
tional Bank of Franklin. N.Y. Lafayette 
College gave him the degree of Ph.D. in 
1881. He is a member of the Delta Kap])a 
Epsilon fraternity, Bowdoin Chapter; and his 
son is a member o( the same fraternity, Ham- 
ilton Chapter. 




DMUND ROSE, a worthy representa- 
tive of the thriving agriculturists of 
Delaware County, owns and occupies 
a valuable farm of two hundred and twenty- 
five acres jileasantly located on Elk Creek, 
about five miles from Delhi. His homestead 
is well improved, and amply supi)lied with 
comfortable and convenient farm buildings, 
and all the needed modern machinery and 
implements for carrying on his work. He 
is a thorough-going and skilful farmer, 
whose prosperity is due to his energetic, 
enterprising spirit and judicious manage- 
ment. He is of substantial Scotch ances- 
try, and a native of Delaware County, hav- 
ing been born in the town of Stamford, 
on Rose's Brook, December 8, 18 17. His 
father was Hugh Rose, Jr., and his grand- 
father Hugh Rose, Sr., an honored pioneer 
of .Stamford. 



102 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Hugh Rose, Sr., was born, bred, and mar- 
ried in Scotland, where he was engaged as a 
tiller of the soil until his emigration to this 
country. His first location in the United 
States was in New ^'ork, in the vicinity of 
the Catskill Mountains, from whence he came 
to this county, at a time when it was a vast 
forest, with here and there a clearing in which 
some venturesome pioneer had raised a hum- 
ble cabin. Buying about six hundred acres 
of timbered land, he built a log house and 
began clearing the land. With characteristic 
enterprise he built a saw and grist mill at the 
mouth of Rose's Brook, the very first in the 
locality; and his milling business proved very 
remunerative, farmers taking their grain to 
him from long distances, some bringing it on 
horseback and some in canoes. He was for 
many years one of the most conspicuous 
figures in the management of local affairs, 
serving as Justice of the Peace for a quar- 
ter of a century, and being for many years 
Associate Judge. He accumulated quite a 
pro]ierty, and continued to reside on his 
homestead until his demise. His wife, who 
outlived him, passed her last years in the 
town of Claverack. They reared six children 
— John, Aleck, Hugh, Lydia, Nancy, and 
Catherine. 

Hugh Rose, Jr., w'as likewise a native of 
old Scotland, and came here when a small 
boy. He was reared on the paternal home- 
stead, receiving the rudiments of his educa- 
tion in the district school, and afterward 
continuing his studies at home. He was a 
man of clear understanding and good judg- 
ment, and a great lover of books, being 
especially well read in ancient and modern 
history. While at home he assisted his father 
on the farm and in the mill, and subsequently 
purchased a farm in Stamford, where he re- 
sided until his death, at the age of sixty-seven 
years. He married Elizabeth Barlow, one of 
a large family of children born to Edmund 
Barlow, a farmer of Stamford. Of this union 
two sons and eight daughters were born, the 
following being their record: Mary, the wife 
of George Hume; Margery, wife of William 
Loring; Salonia, wife of John King; Nancy, 
wife of John Gammell; Lydia, wife of Peter 
Grant; Elizabeth, wife of James McDonald; 



Abigail, wife of William Brock; Catherine, 
wife of Thomas Smith; Hugh; and Edmund. 
The mother, who survived her husband, died 
at the home of her youngest daughter, Mrs. 
Thomas Smith, in the town of Kortright, at 
the advanced age of seventy-seven years. 
Both parents were esteemed members of the 
United Presbyterian church. 

P^dmund acquired a good education, and at 
the age of sixteen years began teaching in the 
district schools of his native town, afterward 
pursuing this high calling in Delhi and Bo- 
vina, making in all about four years. Mr. 
Rose next spent a year in Ohio, and, on re- 
turning to Stamford, remained with his 
brother during the summer, and in the follow- 
ing winter taught the district school. Com- 
ing then to Elk Creek, in company with Mr. 
McDonald he bought a large farm, and, 
erecting a mill, engaged in the milling 
business for a year. They then divided 
the farm, Mr. Rose selling his interest in 
the mill to his partner; and since that 
time he has given his entire attention to 
his agricultural interests. Mr. Rose makes 
a specialty of dairy farming, manufacturing 
table butter of superior quality, for which 
he receives the highest market price in New 
York City. His fine herd of cows are mostl)'^ 
Jersey grades, and number about fifty head 
of as fine and sleek-looking cattle as can 
be found in the county. In 1891 Mr. Rose, 
wishing to become more familiar with the 
beauties of his native country, spent about 
six months in a trip to the Pacific Coast, 
travelling extensively throughout Southern 
California. 

Mr. Rose has been three times married. 
His first wife, Nancy Blakeslee, to whom he 
was united in 1842, was a daughter of Will- 
iam Blakeslee, of Kortright. She bore him 
the following children: William, Hugh, 
Sarah, Jennie, and Augusta. The youngest 
daughter, Augusta, married Hiram Ingersoll, 
a lawyer, residing in Denver, Col.; and they 
have four children — Leonard, Jennie, Julia, 
and Sarah. In 1852 Mrs. Nancy Rose died; 
and Mr. Rose subsequently married Helen 
Sturgis, the daughter of George Sturgis, of 
Delhi. After ten years of wedded life she, 
too, died, leaving four children — Cora, Isa- 



RFOGRArnirAT, RFVIFW 



'03 



bclla, Wilson, and Gcoi-gc. Kc married for 
iiis tiiird wife, IClilic McKadiicn, wiio is a na- 
tive of Delhi, beint;- the daughter of (dIui 
McFadden, a well-known farmer, and one of 
the early settlers of the town. 

During his younger years Mr. Rose sup- 
ported the Republican ticket; but since the 
days of Horace Greeley's candidacy for the 
office of President he has been entirely inde- 
pendent of party lines, his only cjuestion in 
such matters being wliether any measure is 
for the benefit of the town or county in which 
he lives, or is calculated to improve or elevate 
society at large. Socially, he has been for 
many years a Granger. Religiously, he was 
formerly connected with a church in Kort- 
right, being one of its most active members; 
but he now attends the l'"irsl I'resbvterian 
church at Delhi. 



(sH'OIIN THOM.'\S, Jr., a descendant of 
an old and well-known family of that 
name, was a ]irominent citizen of 
.Stamford, where he was born on No- 
vember 20, 182.S, and died, highly respected 
and beloved, on April 14, 1887. Hisgrantl- 
father, Abram Thomas, the original settler, 
was a son of an earlier John Thomas, who 
was born on November 25, 1746, and whose 
wife, Phfube Thomas, was born on August 10, 
I74<). Abrani Thomas was boiii January 3, 
1773, and married Lvdia ilawlev, who was 
born March 4, 1776. He was a farmer, and 
I)roprietor of the first ta\erii in .Stamford, 
which is still standing on the Thomas fai'm on 
the main road between Bloonuille and lln- 
bart, in what is now .South Kortright. it is 
built on the old Dutch plan, and with its 
great chimncvs and moss-grown roof is a 
landmark for the inhabitants of all the. sur- 
rounding country, having been in its dav one 
of the most noted and important inns of that 
section. By industry and economy Abram 
Thomas accumulated a comfortable fortune, 
which his tlescendants now enjoy. He was 
the father of twelve children, ten of whom 
reached maturity; but all have since passed 
away. Abram Thomas died on October 11, 
1848. He was liberal in religious views, and 
a Whig in politics. His wife lived until 



May 12, i84(), when she, too, passed away on 
the old homestead. 

Their son, John 15. Thomas, the father of 
the subject of this sketch, was born in Dutch- 
ess County, I'"ebruary 15, 1795, and married 
I'anny Smith, who was born on January 3, 
1795. He was a successful farmer, ami in 
18 1 7 settled in .Stamforil on the farm where 
Mrs. Thomas now resides. His wife was a 
member of the Presbyterian church at South 
Kortright; but he was liberal in religion, and 
a Repui)Iican in politics. John H. Thomas 
passed away on April 23, 1S70, and his wife, 
October 15, 1875. They had six children, of 
whom three are now li\ing: Sally Adelia 
Perkins, who resides in California; James A., 
a resilient of Wisconsin: and Maria L. Ks- 
chemberg, who also lives in California. 
Their son .Abraham died at the age of forty- 
eight years. A daughter, Mrs. Adeline Wet- 
more, also passed away when forty-eight years 
(dd. Tlie other son, John Thomas, Jr., was 
I born on the old Thomas farm now occujned by 
his widow, and here grew to manhood, attend- 
ing the <listrict schools, afterward teaching 
lor a time. Like his fatiier and grandtather, 
he adopted a farmer's life, buying the old 
; homestead and living there until his death. 
On June 2, 1S63, he married Miss -Sarah 
Agnes l^lakley, who was born in Kortright, 
December 5, 183S, a daughter of James G. 
Blaklc)-, whose family history is given else- 
where in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas 
were tlie parents of foin' children: .Sus:in 
I'l'ances Cronk, born .September 21, 1864, and 
;i resident of Roxbiuy; Sarah A. I. von, born 
November 28, i S67, residing in .Stamford: 
Jennie L., born .August 8, 1870, at home: 
and John James Thomas, who was born May 
23, 1872, imiiKuried, and assisting his mother 
in the management of the old home farm, 
which she has carried on since her husband's 
death. 

The old Thomas farm consisted of three 
lunulred acres of land; and here the descend- 
ants of the family now live, keeping fifty 
head of cattle, and carrying on a large 
dairy. ni;iking ;in excellent quality of but- 
ter. At his ileath Mr. Thomas w'as an 
Elder of the Presbyterian church at South 
Kortright. He had held many public of- 



104 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



fices, among which were those of Assessor 
and County Superintendent of Poor. He was 
a liberal-minded, public-spirited, conscien- 
tious man; and his death was keenly felt 
and sadly mourned by a wide circle of loving 
relatives and friends. 



T^HARLES C. WEBB. The gentle- 
I kJ man whose history is here briefly 
\% sketched is an active and practical 

^ farmer in the prime of life, who is 

the proprietor of a pleasant homestead in the 
town of Walton, where he is profitably pur- 
suing his useful and time-honored calling. 
He is a native of this town, his birth having 
taken place on the farm adjoining the one on 
which he now resides, February 7, 1842. He 
comes of a good family, his grandfather, 
Ebenezer Webb, who was a native of Connect- 
icut, and there worked many years at the 
tailor's trade, having migrated to Delaware 
County in early times. As a pioneer of Wal- 
ton he must have been of great assistance in 
facilitating its settlement and growth. He 
married Hannah Todd, who lived until 1857, 
dying then at the venerable age of ninety-five 
years. 

Joseph Webb, son of Ebenezer, was born 
during the residence of his parents in New 
Canaan, Conn. He received his education in 
the pioneer schools of his day, and at the age 
of fifteen years left the parental roof, and 
came to the town of Walton, living with a 
sister, and working on her husband's farm 
until his marriage, when he became the owner 
of the farm adjoining the one now owned and 
occupied by his son, Charles C. He cleared 
the larger portion of the land, and made the 
essential improvements on the place, and re- 
sided here, a prosperous tiller of the soil, 
until his death, when sixty-nine years old. 
He was three times married, the mother of 
Charles C, Sally Seeley, being his third 
wife. She was of New England parentage, 
but a native of North Walton, and a life-long 
resident of this part of Delaware County. 
She passed her last years on the family home- 
stead, although she was taken sick and died 
when in the village of Walton, being then 
sixty-seven years of age. Both she and her 



husband were valued members of the Second 
Congregational Church of Walton. Of their 
union were born three children — Charles C, 
Eliphalet S., and Hannah M. 

Charles C. Webb, the eldest of the three, 
spent the early years of his life on the pater- 
nal homestead, acquiring a good education in 
the public schools of the town, and a substan- 
tial knowledge of the agricultural arts on the 
home farm. After leaving school Mr. Webb 
was employed as a teacher two terms, but 
afterward assisted in the management of the 
home farm until the death of his father. 
Having chosen farming as his life occupation, 
he bought the old homestead, and in 1888 
added to it the farm where he now resides, 
and has continued engaged in general agri- 
culture until the present time. 

The union of Mr. Webb with Miss Rebecca 
B. Wood was solemnized November 2, 1864. 
Mrs. Webb is the daughter of Benjamin and 
Elsie (Hoyt) Wood, formerly of New Canaan, 
Conn., and later respected members of the 
farming community of Walton. Her grand- 
father, Ebenezer Hoyt, was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War. IMr. and Mrs. Wood 
were members in good standing of the Con- 
gregational church at North Walton, remain- 
ing active workers in that church until called 
to their home beyond the vale of shadows, 
Mr. Wood passing away at the age of seventy- 
five years, and his wife when seventy-nine 
years old. Of their eight children seven 
grew to maturity: Louis; Mary E. ; Nancy M., 
who married William Haring (a sketch of 
whose life appears in another part of this vol- 
ume); Ebenezer; Charles S. ; George W. ; 
Amelia E. ; and Rebecca. 

Into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Webb two 
children have been born — Walter and Annie 
R. The former married Julia Seeley, the 
daughter of William and Henrietta (Durfey) 
Seeley, of Walton; and their union has been 
brightened by the birth of one child, Mary R. 
Mr. Webb is a Republican in politics, and an 
able supporter of the principles of that party. 
In the welfare of his town he ever takes an 
active interest, and has served as Assessor 
eight years to the satisfaction of all con- 
cerned, and is now a Director of the Delaware 
County Insurance Company. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'OS 



IIOINIAS ]•;. WlIITi:. a popular citizen 
of Colchester, a veteran of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, is a native of 
the town where he now resides, haviny,- been 
born here on October i6, 1836. lie is the 
son of Richard Laraway White, who was born 
in Colchester, March 27, 1797, his parents 
being Benjamin and Levina (Lotten) White, 
whose biographies are narrated elsewhere in 
this volume. 

Richard L. White inirchased of Peter \'>o- 
gart three hundred acres of land above Brock 
Bridge, and there carried his wife, Elizabeth 
Washburn, who became the mother of nine 
children, namely: Myria, born November 14, 
1822; Mary W., born January 26, 1824: Le- 
vina A., born July 30, 1826; Junett A., l)orn 
November 23, 1828; James J., born Novem- 
ber 18, 1S31; Perry L. S., born October 18, 
1834; Thomas E. ; Amos K. and Ambrose IC, 
twins, born November 22, 1839. By unceas- 
ing toil and dauntless energy Richard White 
cleared his land, and erected a substantial 
house and barn. This land he improved until 
it was converted into a fertile river farm, and 
cultivated it in connection with the lumber 
business, in which he was extensively en- 
gaged, sending the logs down the Delaware 
River to the large cities, where they w^ere 
readily sold. In 1850 he began to deal in 
flour and salt, taking to Rondout, sixty-eight 
miles away, a load of wool, dried apples, or 
other farm products, and returning with a load 
of salt or flour, the journey occupying five 
days. Mr. White engaged in this business 
until his death, May 14, 1859. He was a 
Democrat; and both he and his estimable 
wife, who died March 16, 1882, were members 
of the Presbyterian church. 

Thomas E. White was educated in the com- 
mon schools of Colchester. He was a bright. 
active lad, and, when but eleven years ot 
age, drove his father's team to Rondout and 
Oxford, Chenango County, returning with the 
load of -salt and flour, which his father then 
sold. When sixteen, he learned the carpen- 
ter's trade, at w'hich he worked in the sum- 
mer, lumbering in the winter, until his 
marriage in 1872. He purchased many tracts 
of land, which he cleared, selling the lumber, 
but since 1892 has worked at his trade, build- 



ing for himself a beautiful dwelling in a fine 
lot on River .Street, where he has a fine dis- 
jilay of fruits in their season. His spacious 
house accommodates about twenty summer 
boarders, who enjoy his genial hospitality and 
the charming surroundings of Downsville. 

Mr. White married Melissa, daughter of 
William and Prudy A. (Ingraham) Marshall, 
who was born March 12, 1849. Mr. and .Mrs. 
Marshall occupied a farm in Rockland, and 
were the parents of si.\ children — Melissa, 
James, Ruth, Erank, Ella, and Henry. Mr. 
Marshall is still living, a resident of Mere- 
dith; but his wife has passed away. Mr. and 
Mrs. White have two daughters: Leiah Bell, 
born November 12, 1877: and Lizzie L., 
born January 17, 1881, both of wdiom are 
accomplished musicians. He was a volunteer 
in the Civil War, enlisting in 1864, in Com- 
]iany C, l-"irst New York pjigineers, and serv- 
ing until the close of the war, after which, on 
account of impaired health, he spent two 
years in Texas. 

Mr. White is a member of Eleming Post, 
Grand Army of the Republic, and is also a 
Eree Mason, belonging to Downsville Lodge, 
A. I-". & A. M. Industrious, enterprising, 
and upright, he is widely known and highly 
respected. 




ILLIAM ELl-rrCill-.R, the well- 
known village blacksmith, whose 
flaming forge is on I'pper Main 
Street, Delhi, is an active, wide-awake man, 
who.se success in life is attributable to indus- 
trious habits and good business principles. 
Born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, Eebruary 3, 
1836, he inherits in a large degree the 
honesty and prudent thrift that distinguished 
his progenitors. His grandfather, James 
ITetcher. Sr., whose occupation was farming, 
was also a native of Scotland, and there spent 
a life of ninety long years. He and his wife, 
Margaret McQueen, were the ]iarents of four 
sons and one daughter; and of this family one 
son, Robert, is still living in Scotland, occu- 
pying the paternal homestead. 

James Eletcher, Jr., the father of William, 
was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, and 
lived there until after his marriage, being en- 



io6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



gaged in farming. He subsequently removed 
to England with his wife and family, which 
then consisted of five children. A few years 
later his life was .saddened by the death of his 
beloved companion, who passed to the better 
land at the age of forty-si.\ years. She was a 
woman of many noble qualities, and, with her 
husband, was a conscientious member of the 
Presbyterian church. Life in the old country 
being no longer desirable for him, he emi- 
grated to America with his children, coming 
directly to Delaware County, New York, and 
settling in Andes. There he bought a farm, 
and for some time carried on general agricult- 
ure. He subsequently removed to Tompkins, 
where he purchased a smaller farm, on which 
he lived a few years; then, returning to 
Andes, he purchased a home in Shavertown, 
and remained there until eighty-one years of 
age, when he was gathered to his long rest. 
His family circle included nine childrsn, as 
follows: James, Margaret, Agnes, Ellen, 
William. Jeanette, Elizabeth, Robert, and 
lohii, onlv three of whom are now living. 



W 



Uliam 



Eletcher, who was the second son 



and fifth child, was an infant whrn his parents 
removed to England, where he lived until fif- 
teen years of age, obtaining his education in 
the parish schools of that country. Coming 
with his father to Delaware County, he as- 
sisted him for a little while on the farm, but 
soon afterward began blacksmithing in Andes, 
continuing it for two years in that town. Mr. 
Fletcher then came tf) Deliii, where he se- 
cured work, and two years later ojjened a 
blacksmith shop of his own in the village. 
In 1864 he removed to his present smithy, 
and has continued in active employment. 
His superior workmanship and his general 
desire to please and accommodate his patrons 
are fully recognized by the public, and have 
secured for him an extensive and profitable 
business. 

The marriage of Mr. h'letcher with Miss 
Rebecca Hughes, a native of Franklin, and 
the daughter of James and Margaret (Weis- 
mer) Hughes, was celebrated on December 
24, in the year 1857. The beloved wife died 
when fifty-eight years old, on December 23, 
1893, their happy wedlock having lasted 
thirty-six years lacking one day. The six 



children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher may 
be here recorded, as follows: Margaret, who 
married Wallace B. Gleason, of whom a 
sketch may be found on another page of this 
volume; Minnie, deceased; Myrtie, who mar- 
ried James E. Russell, a native of Hamden, 
but now a j)rofessor in Germany, and has 
two children — William and Charles; Lulu, 
wife of W. Ward Seward, of Lenox, Mass.; 
Nellie; and Ned W. Mr. Fletcher takes a 
warm interest in public affairs, and may truly 
be considered a representative man of the 
town. He is frank and open in the expres- 
sion of his opinions, and is a strong Republi- 
can. He is a Trustee of the village; and he 
and his family are members of the Presbyte- 
rian church, of which he is also Trustee. 




March 
father. 



ELSON SMITH, a respected citizen 
and successful farmer of Tompkins, 
Delaware County, was born in 
Sharon, Schoharie County, N.V., 
2, 1830. John -Smith, his grand- 
was one of four brothers who came 
from Germany before the Revolutionary War, 
and all enlisted in the patriots" cause. The 
other three must have lost their lives in the 
struggle, as they have never been heard from 
since. John lived to reach the age of eighty- 
four years, and died at the home of his son in 
Cherry Valley, Otsego County. He was sta- 
tioned at l'"ort Plains at the time of the Cherry 
Valley massacre, and was detailed to remain 
on duty at the fort while his companions went 
to the rescue of the unfortunate victims. His 
wife was Nancy Verdon, a descendant of an 
old Dutch family; and they became the par- 
ents of nine children — Philip, Jacob, Mar- 
garet, Sophia, Delia, Katie, Mary, Susan, 
and Laimy, all of whom lived to reach ma- 
turity and have families cf their own. The 
mother of this family died about twelve years 
previous to the death of her husband, and they 
are buried side by side in Cherry Valley. 
Their son Philip, father of the subject of this 
sketch, was born July 12, 1801, in Cherry 
Valley, and was a pioneer of Schoharie 
County. He received a district-school educa- 
tion, and adopted the occupation of a farmer, 
marrying Nancy Coonroodt, a descendant of 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



107 



an old Dutch famil)- of Nlw York. They had 
eight children — Nelson, Katie W.. William 
A., Lydia, Delia, John ]., David, I^llon R. 
Philip Smith was a Democrat, and died, aged 
seventy-seven years, at the home ol his eldest 
son, Nelson. His grave is m the l.oomis 
cemetery, with that ol his wite, who passed 
away in 1869, and their son, John J., whosi- 
death occurred on ApvW (o, 1884, at tlie 
home of Nelson. Mr. and Mrs. Philip Smith 
were memhers of the Lutheran church. 

Nelson Smith, their eldest son, was edu- 
cated in the district schools of ('herry Vallev, 
and in his boyhood helped his lather in the 
management of the farm. When nineteen, he 
started out for himself, working out by the 
month and year. He married October 24, 
1858, Julia A. Dnester, who was born March 
8, 1834, daughter of Andrew and Maria (Van 
Valkenburg) Dnester, of Root, Montgomery 
County. Martin Dnester. the grandfather of 
Mrs. Smith, was a farmer in Montgomery 
County, a descendant of a prominent Dutch 
family. When a boy of twelve, at the time of 
the Schoharie massacre, he and a companion 
hid in the wheat, while the Indians ami 
Tories searched for them, and with threats 
tried to induce them to come from their hid- 
ing-place. His companion endeavoretl to 
escape by jumping the fence, but was over- 
taken by the Indians and scalped; while Mar- 
tin remained concealed until tlri\en out by 
hunger and thirst, when he esca|)ed to the 
fort. Martin Dnester passed his last days 
with his daughter in New Berlin. His wife 
was Maria Cellar, a member of a Dutch fam- 
il)' of Minden. Their son Andrew dieil, aged 
eighty-six years. May 5, 1891, at the home 
of the subject of this biography, with whom 
he passed the last fifteen years of his life. 
His burial-place, and that of his wife, is the 
cemetery at Charleston I'our Corners, Mont- 
gomery County. 

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson .Smith have had three 
children, two of whom died within a week, of 
diphtheria: Andrew D., at fifteen years of 
age ; and Charles, at ten years. The eldest 
passed away in infancy. Mr. .Smith has a 
foster-son, Charles A. C_"onstable, who has 
lived with him since boyhood, and still re- 
sides there, taking the jilace of the chilrlren 



who were called away. He is devoted to his 
foster-i)arents, is faithful and industrious, 
assisting in the farm work, and possesses 
their utmost confidence and regard. 

Ml'. .Smith settled on his farm on June 15, 
I 85 J, and cut the first tree for a fallow. Bv 
dint i>f hard labor he cleared the land ami 
built the house he now occupies. He has 
been remarkably successful in business, and 
has been able to do much for his parents, his 
brother, and his wife's lather. He is a Dem- 
ocrat, prominent in all town affairs, where he 
has hehl several positions of trust. He and 
his wife attend the Christian church, of which 
organization the parents of Mrs. Smith were 
also members. Mr. Smith is universally es- 
teemed and honored throughout the town of 
Tompkins, the welfare of which he ever has at 
iieart. 




:sr\ I.1-:XANDI':R TWI;|;DI1-;, farmer and 
feed-dealer, residing in the village of 
Walton, has the reputation of being 
a strictly first-class business man, 
and is a citizen of whom Walton may well be 
proud. His fanu, which is located about five 
miles from the village, contains two hundred 
acres of land, and is specially adapted to the 
raising of grain and stock, in its equi]jments 
comparing favorably with any estate in this 
part of the coimty. In noting the industrs' 
and thrift of Mr. Tweedie, who ranks among 
the most sulistantial residents of Walton, one 
is not sur]irised to learn that he is of .Scotch 
birth and jiarentage. The shire town of 
(ilenrauth. in Peeblesshire, which was the 
place of birth of his father, .Mexander, .Sr., 
was the home of his ancestors for many gen- 
erations back: and there John Tweedie, his 
grandfather, following in the footsteps of ear- 
lier progenitors, was a life-long resident, en- 
gaged in the sheplierd's calling. 

The first member of the Tweedie family to 
emigrate to .\merica was .'\le.\ander Tweetlie, 
Sr., who crossed the Atlantic in 1849, bring- 
ing with him his wife and eleven children. 
On landing he came ilirectly to this county, 
and, after sjiending a short time in Hamden. 
came to Walton, and, purchasing a farm on 
Dunk's Hill, settled there the same \'ear. 



io8 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



After being successfully engaged for many 
years as a tiller of the soil, he moved into the 
village, and there lived in honorable retire- 
ment for three years, coming then to the home 
of his son Alexander, where he was tenderly 
cared for until his death, at the venerable 
age of eighty-seven years. His wife, Mary 
Bruce, a daughter of James Bruce, was a na- 
tive of Scotland, and a lineal descendant of 
King Robert Bruce, of historic fame. She 
also spent her declining years at the home of 
her youngest son, passing away at the age of 
seventy-eight years. Both she and her hus- 
band were members of the Scottish Presbyte- 
rian church. The names of the eleven chil- 
dren born to them are as follows: John, 
Archibald, Christina, Nicholas, William, 
Mary, James, Eliza, Alexander, Euphemia, 
and Margaret. 

Alexander Tweedie, Jr., who was born in 
Scotland on January 27, 1840, was a sturdy 
little lad of nine years when he came to the 
United States; and the larger part of his edu- 
cation was obtained in the public schools of 
Walton. With his brothers he assisted in the 
cultivation and improvement of the parental 
homestead, remaining with his parents until 
attaining his freedom. Being a young man of 
enterprise and ability, keen and shrewd in his 
judgment of values, he began his business 
career by going to Pennsylvania, where he 
engaged in various speculations. Afterward 
he was similarly employed in the States of 
Illinois and Missouri. Returning to Walton, 
Mr. Tweedie purchased a farm on West 
Brook, on which he has since devoted himself 
largely to agricultural pursuits. He has from 
year to year increased his operations, and now 
keeps from thirty to thirty-five head of choice 
milch cows, with some young stock and sev- 
eral horses. In addition to his labors on the 
farm, Mr. Tweedie carries on an extensive 
feed business, running a mill, and selling and 
buying grain. 

Mr. Tweedie and Margaret Smith, the 
daughter of Robert and Christiana Smith, 
were united in marriage on December 24, 
1872. Mrs. Tweedie is also of substantial 
Scotch ancestry, her parents having emi- 
grated to New York, afterward settling in 
the town of Delhi, where they carried on 



farming for many years. They were the par- 
ents of ten children: Jane; Nancy; John; 
Catherine; Robert; Christina; Daniel; Jen- 
nie; Alexander; and Margaret, the wife of 
Mr. Tweedie. Mrs. Smith died at the early 
age of forty-two years; but Mr. Smith, who 
lived retired for some years, died in the town 
of Delhi when seventy-six years old. They 
were people of high moral standing, and mem- 
bers of the Reformed Presbyterian church. 
Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Tweedie five 
children have been born, namely: James and 
Robert, who died young; and Christina, 
Maurice, and Jennie, who are now pursuing 
their studies in the Walton Academy. With 
the exception of one daughter, the entire fam- 
ily are members of the Presbyterian church, 
in which Mr. Tweedie has served as an Elder 
for seventeen years. He is a stanch advocate 
of temperance, and in politics is a Prohibi- 
tionist. 



T^HARLES W\ WETMORE is one of 
I V-^ the prosperous and progressive farmers 

\%) . and dairymen of Stamford, of which 
town he is a native, and has been a 
life-long resident. His great-grandfather was 
an Englishman, who came to America at an 
early day, and settled in Rye, Westchester 
County, N.Y. He was an Episcopal minis- 
ter, and lived to a good old age in his adopted 
home. His son, James Wetmore, was born 
in Rye, but when a young man came to Dela- 
ware County, soon after his marriage, and set- 
tled in Kortright on Beatty Brook. Later he 
removed to the outskirts of the town, where 
William Barlow now resides. James Wet- 
more died in Stamford, at the age of ninety- 
two years, his wife, Elizabeth, passing away 
in her sixty-fifth year. Both were members 
of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Wetmore 
was a Democrat in politics. They were the 
parents of four sons and three daughters, all 
of whom lived to a good old age, but are now- 
dead. 

Their son, James Wetmore, Jr., grew to 
manhood in the town of Kortright, where he 
was a merchant, and was also interested in a 
hotel in what is called "The Hook." He was 
proprietor of this hotel for thirteen years, and 




Charles W. Wetaore. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



then rcmoveil to the farm where his son 
Charles now resides, engagini;- in the ocfii])a- 
tion of stock-raisini;- and dairying, ownini; 
two iuuKhed and eighty aeres of land. lie 
was a prudent manager anil industrious 
farmer, antl died at the age of eighty-two 
years, his wife, Hannah Sackrider, whose 
family history appears in this volume, lixing 
to be ninety-two. 

James Wetmore, Jr., was a Democrat; and 
he and his wife were members of the ICpisco- 
pal church. They had six children, five sons 
and one daughter, three of whom still survive, 
namely: Solomon 1)., a resident of Delhi; 
James, who lives at Hainbridge, Chenango 
County; and Charles \V., of 'whom this biog- 
raphy is written. One son, Thomas, died 
when si.xty-five years of age, another, Henry, 
at the age of eleven, and a daughter Mary 
passed away when sixty-five. 

Charles W. Wetmore was born in .Stamford. 
on the farm where he now resides, January 
28, 1826. He was educated in the district 
schools, and remained at home, providing for 
his parents in their declining years. In 1857 
he purchased the old homestead, and now pos- 
sesses a productive farm of two hundred and 
ninety acres, making superior butter from the 
milk produced from his forty cows. The 
buildings on his land are built with the best 
of material and kept in perfect repair, among 
them being his fine residence and commodious 
stable, the latter being one of the most costly 
and complete in its furnishings in the town. 
At the time of purchasing his farm, Mr. Wet- 
more was obliged to shoulder a debt ot five 
thou.sand dollars, all of which has now been 
paid through his careful management and 
strict attention to business. 

September 26, i860, he married Miss Fran- 
ces Thomas, a native of Stamford, and daugh- 
ter of John ]^. and Frances (Smith) Thomas, 
both of whom have passed away, the mother 
at the age of seventy-five years, and the father 
at seventy years. Mrs. Wetmore, a devoted 
member of the Presbyterian church, died in 
June, 1882, sadly mourned by her husband 
and only child. Tlie latter, Charles T. 
Wetmore, who was born April 16, 1865, 
married Miss Carrie I',. Nesbit, a native of 
Stamford, and daughter of George Nesbit, 



This son is now in partnership witii his 
falher, ;issisting in the Tnanagement of llie 
faini and dairy. 

In iiis religions views Mi'. Wetmore is 
thoroughlv liberal, and in politics he votes 
with the Democratic parly. hulustrious, up- 
right, and with unusual business ability, Mr. 
Wetmore has accomplished more than the 
ordinary man of his time, and is ninnbered 
among the foremost men of thi' locality, where 
he is a res]iected and highly esteemed citizen. 

The reader will turn witli interest to the 
portrait of this gentleman on an adjoining 
])age. 




1876, 
place 



RS. MbT.INDA SAVVVI'.R, widow 
of Isaac W. Saw)'er, who died on 
ills homestead, which is known 
as the Abram Ogden farm, in 
is a native of Walton, her birth taking 
in 1820. She is of New Fngland 
origin, and is a daughter of J(uiathan and 
Nancy I*. (Kichards) Smith, both natives of 
Connecticut. Her maternal grandfather, Ne- 
hemiah Richards, was born in New Canaan, 
Conn., and his wife, Nancy Piatt, in the town 
of Ncnwalk. the same .State. They emigrated 
to Delaware County in the earl)' days of its 
settlement, and took uj) a timber tract three 
and a half miles from Walton, on the south 
side iif the Delaware River. Besides devel- 
oping and improving a farm, they made quite 
a business of manufacturing maple sugar, 
using the primitive method then in vogue of 
catching the sa]) in tlug-out troughs, like 
canoes, and boiling it in large potash kettles. 
The farm which they cleared was the home of 
three generations, and is still owned by the 
family, although it is now occupied b_\- a ten- 
ant. Mrs. .Sawyer"s progenitors were of Fng- 
lish birth, the first of her mother's ancestors 
to come to .America being one .Samuel Rich- 
ards, who emigrated from .Staffordshire, I'Jig- 
land, in the closing years of the seventeenth 
centurv. He located in New Canaan, Conn., 
wherein 1714 he married Ivlizabeth Latham, 
who bore him ten children, five sons and five 
daughters. Five of these children married 
into the Waring family. James Richard.s, 
the grandson of Samuel Richards, married 



112 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Hannah Waring, who bore him eleven chil- 
dren, one of whom, Nehemiah Richards, was 
the grandfather of Mrs. Sawyer, as above 
mentioned. 

Melinda Smith Sawyer was trainetl b)- her 
excellent parents to habits of industry and 
economy, and received her education mainly 
in the common schools of her native county. 
June 28, 1855, she was united in marriage to 
Isaac W. Sawyer, a jirosperous farmer, and at 
one time a dealer in lumber. He was a na- 
tive of Walton, and a son of Elisha Sawyer, 
who came here when a young man from the 
Green Mountain State, and engaged in farm- 
ing and lumbering, being a well-known citi- 
zen of this community. He subsequently 
married Betsey Smith, of this town; and they 
reared a family of three sons and two daugh- 
ters, all of whom have passed away. Jesse 
Sawyer, the father of Elisha Sawyer, was a 
Green Mountain boy, and served in the Revo- 
lution. He married Catherine White; and 
they spent the earlier years of their wedded 
life in Vermont, the State of their nativity, 
coming here after their son Elisha had become 
well established. They were the parents of 
four sons and four daughters, some of whom 
became prominent residents of tiiis section of 
Delaware County. 

Isaac W. Sawyer was a very active and en- 
terprising man, and labored hard in his 
efforts to secure the competence which event- 
ually became his. He was first married in 
1842 to Elizabeth Ogden, daughter of Isaac 
Ogden. She died in 1852, leaving no chil- 
dren. By his second marriage there was born 
one child, Eanny, who is the wife of Irving 
Robinson. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, who 
have three bright and lively children — 
Francis, a boy of twelve years; Albert, nine 
years old; and Mary, a little girl of six years 
— make their home with Mrs. -Sawyer at No. 
88 North Street. 



LBERT P. CARPENTER, lisQ., is a 
well-known lawyer of Margarcttville, 
in Middletown, where he was born 
September 5, 1829. His father, 
Richard Carpenter, was a native of Dutchess 
County, born on January 6, 1791. He mar- 




ried Miss Margaret Hicks, by whom he had 
nine children, namely: William, who married 
Ann Cornell; Deborah, who married Luther 
Landon; John, who married Mrs. Delia R. 
Plllison; Isabell, who married first William 
J. Walker, second the Rev. B. S. Wright; 
Luman, who died in infancy; Abram, who 
married Margaret Jacquish; Elias, who mar- 
ried first Sarah Allen, second Frances De 
Silvia; Charlotte, who died in infancy; and 
Richard, who married Jane O. Barber. After 
the death of his first wife Mr. Carpenter mar- 
ried Charlotte Hicks, by whom he had two 
children: Albert P., of whom this sketch is 
written; and P^lizabeth A., who married 
David S. Hill. After the death of Mr. Car- 
penter's second wife he married Mrs. Juliette 
Hewitt, by whom he had one son, Orson A., 
who died when four years old. 

Richard Carpenter sold his place in Dutch- 
ess, and came to Delaware County after the 
death of his first wife, settling at Griffin's 
Corners, where he married again. He then 
moved to Margarettville, which was but a 
hamlet at that time. There were no stores 
or mills nearer than Kingston, where all of the 
marketing had to be done. Mr. Carpenter 
was a man of public spirit and enterprise, and 
took an active part in forwarding the interests 
of the village. He died at the advanced age 
of eighty-eight years, having accumulated a 
good property, and raised a large family of 
sons and daughters. He was a stanch Repub- 
lican, and faithful member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. 

Albert P. Carpenter received a common- 
school education at the Hobart Seminary, and 
read law for one year with Munson & Glea- 
son and one year with Samuel Gordon, of 
Delhi, after which he was admitted to the bar 
on the nth of January, 1853. He then went 
into the office of S. Gordon, Esq., of Delhi, 
with whom he entered into partnership, and 
with whom he remained for a year, after 
which he removed to Margarettville. Here 
he was taken ill with disease of the lungs, 
and was incapacitated for work for some time. 
As soon as he recovered, he began to practise 
his profession in the village, where he is now 
a respected and jjrtjsperous lawyer. 

In 1858 he secured for his wife the woman 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



".? 



of his choice, Miss Nettie M. Coloney, tlie 
daughter of James and Melissa Cohiiiey- 
Mrs. Carpenter" s fatlier was a native of New 
Hampshire, where he was born, January 23, 
1803. Ho was a farmer in St. Lawrence 
County, New York, for some years, whence 
he went to Oliio, and finally removed to Fort 
Wayne, Ind., where he died at the age of 
forty-five. His wife diet! at twenty-eight 
years of age, lea\ing five children: Mary J., 
who married Royal Martin, and has one child: 
M\ron, who married Josephine Tuttle, and 
has one son; Nettie M., Mrs. Carpenter; Jo- 
siah B.. w'ht) married Margaret Currie, and w'as 
killed in the Civil War, at the battle of the 
Weldon Railroad, \Mrginia, leaving one son; 
and Sarah, of whom the family know little, 
as she was adopted in her infancy, and has had 
no relations whatever with those of her own 
blood since. The wife of Mr. Carpenter is a 
member of the I'resbvterian church. He is 
an advocate of Republican ])rinciples, to 
which he strongly adheres, and is one of the 
successes of the legal guild of his section. 



rACOB H. CHAMHl'.RLIN is a pros- 
jiering farmer and po]iular resident of 
Tompkins, formerly known as Pine- 
field, Delaware County, N.'N'., where 
he was born on November 17. 1849. His 
father, Eliphalet Chamberlin, who was a na- 
tive of Vermont, married IVLary A. Boice, 
daughter of Joshua Boice. He died in the 
prime of life; and his widow married Peter 
Hogan, a farmer of Tompkins. (For further 
particulars of the Chamberlin family see 
sketch of John Chamberlin.) 

Jacob H., son of ICliphalet and Mary 
(Boice) Chamberlin, was an infant when 
father died. He was brought up by 
mother and step-father, and educated in the 
district schools of Tompkins. When fifteen 
years of age he began life for himself, wfirk- 
ing out on various farms, and later, in 1878, 
purchased from William Dermis the farm on 
which he now resides. 

August 28, 1877, Mr. Chamberlin married 
Deborah A. Dennis, daughter of W'illiam and 
Adeline (Austin) Dennis, of Ovid, Seneca 
County. Joseph Dennis, father of William, 



married Nancy Calups, who was of (ierman 
descent ; luid they were among the early set- 
tlers of that coimty. William Dennis passed 
his e;irl_\' d;iys in the town of Andes. Losing 
his father when very young, he was i)ound out 
to l^arna Radeker. ICnergetic and self-reli- 
ant, he began to work for himself as a farmer 
in (,"olchester when about nineteen years of 
age, and later removed to Andes. After a 
few \ears he disposed of his [property there, 
;nid in 1867 [)urchased the farm in Tompkins 
which is now owned by the subject of this 
sketch. lie resided here until he sold liie 
place, and then moved to the farm now occu- 
pied by his son John, at Trout Creek, in the 
same town: and there he passed his last da}'s, 
retired from acti\e life, dying at the age of 
seventy-two, and being buried in Trout Creek 
Cemetery. He was a Republican in politics, 
and a member of the Melhotlist church, which 
he joined when twenty-one years of age, his 
daughtei- Deborah, Mrs. Chamberlin, also 
being a member. His wife still survi\-es, 
and resides with her son John. Their daugh- 
ter was educated in the district schools, and 
resided with her parents until her marriage to 
Mr. Chamberlin. 

The quiet, well-kept home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Chambeilin, who have no children, is plainly 
the abode of intelligence, industry, and thrift. 
Mr. Chamberlin is engaged in farming and in 
sheejj and stock raising, in which business he 
exhibits good judgment and ])ractical ;UMlit\', 
and has been eminently successful. He is a 
Rei)ublican in politics, giving that party his 
most hearty support. 




IP LASHER owns a tnict of land 
King along the river road in the 
[I9 town of Delhi, which is one of the 
most valuable estates in the vicinity. 
Here he is engaged in gener;il farming, pay- 
ing especial attention to dairying, in which 
he has been \ery successful, his fine herd of 
graded Jerseys amply rei)aying him for the 
time and attention he devotes to them. Mr. 
Lasher is a native of Delaware County, 
Critfm's Corners, Middletown. being the 
place of his birth, and April 30, 1843, the 
date thereof. He is a descendant of one of 



114 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Delaware County's respected pioneers, his 
paternal grandfather, Conrad Lasher, having 
removed from Dutchess to this county in the 
early days of its settlement. He bought a 
tract of timbered land in Middletown, on a 
spot known as Brush Ridge, and thereafter 
devoted his life to its cultivation and im- 
provement. 

Frederick Lasher, the father of Philip, was 
born in Dutchess County, being one of seven 
children. He came with his parents to this 
county, and assisted them in their pioneer 
labor of clearing a farm until of age, when he 
purchased a small piece of land, and began 
the work of making a home for himself. He 
was a man of unusual ability and enterprise, 
and in the years that followed met with great 
success. He continually added to his landed 
possessions, and at the time of Iiis decease 
was the owner of four good farms, three being 
in Middletown, and one in Halcott, Greene 
County. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Annie Record, was a native of Dutchess 
County, and bore him the following -named 
children: Conrad and Jane, both deceased; 
Philip; John; Annie C; Isabella; Frances, 
deceased; George; Albertina; Henrietta, de- 
ceased; and Jeanette. 

Philip Lasher spent his early years with his 
parents, attending school, and doing the 
chores around the homestead that inevitably 
fall to a farmer's boy. When a youth of 
twenty years he took upon himself the cares 
and responsibilities of matrimony, and, in 
order that he might support his wife, bought 
a farm in Ulster County, where he made a 
good living for some twelve years. Dispos- 
ing of that property, he came to this county, 
and purchased a farm in the town of Andes, 
on which he lived about a year, going from 
there to Halcott, Greene County, where he 
bought land and conducted a farm for two 
years. Returning to Griffin's Corners, the 
place of his nativity, Mr. Lasher entered upon 
an entirely new enterprise, building a large 
house, in which for the next ten years he en- 
tertained boarders from the city, a very pleas- 
ant and profitable occupation. Then, selling 
his boarding-house, he bought the farm which 
he now owns and occupies, formerly known as 
the Redfield farm, and considered one of the 



finest pieces of property in Delaware County, 

it containing from one hundred and sixty to 
one hundred and seventy-five acres of valuable 
land. 

Mr. Lasher has been twice married. His 
first wife was Jane Townsend, the daughter of 
Alfred Townsend, of Halcott, Greene County; 
and to them three children were born, as fol- 
lows: Willard, who died at the age of thirteen 
years; Hester, who died at the age of twelve 
years; and Isaac, who married Libbie Butler, 
of Sullivan County. After fifteen years of 
peaceful wedded life the wife and mother 
passed to the better land, laying down the 
burdens of life in 1878. Mr. Lasher subse- 
quently married Melissa Sherwood, daughter 
of James Sherwood, of Roxbury; and their 
union has been blessed by the birth of two 
children — Frederick and Eathel, the latter 
deceased. 

Politically, Mr. Lasher votes the straight 
Republican ticket. Both he and Mrs. Lasher 
are consistent members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, and are numbered among its 
most generous and liberal supporters. 



of the 
home. 



valued practi- 
one mile south 



His grandfather 
town; and his 
was Deming. 



OSEPH H. FOOTE, M.D., a resident 
of P'ranklin, and one of its most re- 
spected and highly 
t loners, resides about 
village, where he has a most delightful 
The ancestors of Dr. Foote were na- 
tives of Southington, Conn, 
was Robert Foote, of that 
grandmother's maiden name 
Robert Foote was a well-to-do farmer, and 
reared five sons and one daughter, all of whom 
grew to maturity, married, and reared fami- 
lies of their own. His son Leonard, father of 
the Doctor, was born in Southington in 1789, 
and died in Oxford, N.Y., in 1875. He mar- 
ried Bede Wright, daughter of Enos Wright, 
of Connecticut. Mr. Wright moved to New 
York in 1814, and settled on a farm of about 
fifty acres; and in 1817 his daughter and son- 
in-law, the parents of Dr. Foote, followed 
him to their new home, occupying a farm of 
one hundred acres, part of both of these farms 
being included in the estate which is now the 
property of the Doctor. When Mr. and Mrs. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



"S 



Footc came here, the mode of conveyance was 
very crude, the journey being made in a one- 
horse lumber wagon, and Mrs. I'oote being 
installed in a chair among her liousehold 
goods, while the husband and father walked 
by the side of the horse. 

Dr. Foote is the \-oungest of five sons, all 
of whom have been called from earthly toil 
except himself and one other, Robert, of 0.\- 
ford. The early life of the family was a stern 
struggle, but in their old age Air. and Mrs. 
Foote enjoyed the quiet of a well-earned rest. 
Mrs. Foote'survived her husband several years, 
and died when eighty-seven years of age. 

Dr. Joseph II. Foote received his earlv edu- 
cation at the district school, a mile and a half 
from his home, and by his own exertions suc- 
ceeded in obtaining sufficient training to enter 
Oxford Academy. After teaching three win- 
ters he studied with his brother. Dr. Ira Foote, 
in Wellsboro, Pa. The latter was a promi- 
nent physician, and one who showed great 
promise in his profession; but his health 
failed, and that dread disease, consumption, 
soon made itself manifest, he falling a victim 
at an early age. 

Dr. Joseph Foote settled in North Walton 
in January, 185 1. and |3ractised there fi\e 
years. On May 21, 1S55, he married Pamelia 
Fitch Churchill, of Delhi, and in Seistember 
of that year came to I-'iaiiklin, where he has 
since practised. In 1867 he purchased the 
hotel property, which with the old buiklings 
he bought for five thousand dollars. He re- 
built it, erecting the large barn antl shetls in 
connection, and sokl it in January. 1894. 
During the twenty-seven x'ears in which he 
was connected with the hotel business he also 
continued his practice, being as popular a 
practitioner as he was a host. 

In July, 1893, Mrs. T'oote passeil away, 
leaving one daughter, Stella, who is still at 
honn-. An elder daughter, Julia, tiled when 
an infant. A niece of the Doctor's, Ruth 
I'\jote, now lives at his home, and keeps house 
for him, her two sons and two daughters also 
living there. He moved to his present home 
in 1894, having bought a most delightful farm 
of ninety acres. 

Dr. Foote is a Democrat, but does not allow 
party principles to interfere with his always 



voting for the best man. Vov over forty years 
he lias been engaged in arikious toil for his 
fellow-men. Often sleejiing but five hours out 
of till' twenty-four, he has labored with disin- 
terested service, accpiiring for himself a name 
which will far outlast his earthly possessions. 
He is generous and large-hearted; and his 
congeniality of spirit has made him a friend 
to be highly prized, and a welcome guest in 
all the homes of Franklin. 




,\'RL S GE.MMFL was born July 20, 
1850, in the town of .Stamford, a son 

of Hugh and Mary (McArthur; 

Gemmel. Hugh (iemmel was born 
in .Stamford, August 14, 1803, and his wife 
in the town of Jefferson, Schoharie County, 
December 31, 1809. The grandfather, also 
Hugh (jemniel, was born in .Scotland, but in 
1790 came to America, and settled at Rose 
Brook, Delaware County. He was a weaver 
by traile, and followed this occu])ation to 
some extent. He bought about two hundred 
acres of land, most of which was in a state of 
nature. Ilobart, then called W'atertown, was 
the nearest market and de]50t for supjilies; 
and the ])eople lived chiefly off the ])roducts 
of their land and the wild game. ]\Ir. Gem- 
mel was a hard worker and a ])ractical farmer, 
and succeeded in his undertakings. He was a 
member of the Presbyterian church at South 
Kortright, and in politics a Whig. He 
reared a family of seven children, all of whom 
grew to maturity, but have now jjassed away. 
He died on the farm which the subject of this 
sketch now owns antl occupies, when seventy- 
five years of age, his wife dying at the same 
age. 

Hugh Gennnel, the father of Cyrus, grew to 
manhood on the oUl homestead at Rose Brook. 
He was one of the early school-teachers, and 
taught for aliout eleven years, after which he 
gave his attention to farming, continuing in 
this occujiation the rest of his life. He 
bought the farm where his son now lives, just 
before his marriage, it then comprising one 
hundred and twenty acres. This he improved 
and increased so thatat his death he owned 
two lunulred and five acres. He was a hard 
worker and a successful farmer, and an active 



ii6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of 
which he was a Trustee. His wife was a 
member of the same church. He was a Re- 
publican in politics, was a conscientious, hon- 
ored citizen of the town, and held several 
public offices, including Highway Commis- 
sioner. Collector, Constable, and School In- 
spector, besides several minor positions. He 
died on the old homestead March 6, 1878, and 
his widow July 22, 1884, making them at the 
time of their deaths the same age to a day, 
seventy-four years, six months, and twenty- 
two days. 

He was twice married, his first wife being 
Nancy McArthur, who died P^ebruary 13, 
1845. He was the father of eleven children, 
ten of whom grew to maturity, and seven still 
survive: Robert, born February 14, 1833, re- 
sides in the village of Delhi. James R., 
born August 4, 1834, is manager of the 
Lookout House at Utsayantha Mountain, and 
lives with his brother. Mrs. Nancy M. Iser- 
man, born September 13, 1840, resides in 
Rockland County, New York. Mary I. 
Brown, who was born July i, 1844, resides 
in Montgomery County, Iowa. Cyrus, the 
subject of this sketch, was born July 20, 
1850. Mrs. Francis H. Allison, born De- 
cember 4, 185 1, is a resident of Kortright. 
Homer R., born October 5, 1853, is also liv- 
ing in Kortright. Thomas H., born October 
21, 1831, died January 24, 1886. George E., 
born February 15, 1837, died June 29, 1872. 
Margaret J., born December 8, 1838, died 
October 9, 1842. The Rev. William A., 
born August 4, 1848, died October 7, 1876. 

Cyrus Gemmel grew to manhood in the 
parental home, and received his education at 
the district school. When nineteen years of 
age, he went to work on the farm of H. K. 
Rose, receiving for his services twenty-three 
dollars per month, which at that time was 
considered a good salary. When twenty-three 
years old, he learned the carpenter's trade, at 
which he was engaged for some eight or nine 
years, but finally gave it up and devoted his 
time to farming, buying the old homestead 
after his father's death. 

January i, 1878, Mr. Gemmel married 
Mary E. Higbie, who was born in Stamford, 
a daughter of Thomas C. and Sarah (Titus) 



Higbie. Thomas Higbie was born in Stam- 
ford, and his wife in Harpersfield. He was a 
farmer, and also a merchant in New York 
City for some years, a descendant of the pio- 
neer family of that name, his father, Nathan- 
iel Higbie, being the first to locate in this 
vicinity. Thomas Higbie was a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, and, politi- 
cally, a Republican. He died at Rose Brook 
when seventy-eight years of age. He was the 
father of six children, five of whom are now 
living. Mr. and Mrs. Gemmel have two chil- 
dren: Mary A., born April 29, 1879; and Ida 
Bell, October 29, 1889. 

Cyrus Gemmel has an excellent farm of two 
hundred acres, where he carries on general 
farming and dairying, owning forty head of 
Jersey cattle. In connection with this he is 
agent for Buckley's Watering Device. He 
has been fortunate in his business life, and is 
a highly respected citizen, showing much in- 
terest in the welfare of the town. He has 
been Inspector of Elections, and for six years 
Overseer of the Poor. Fraternally, he is a 
member of the A. F. & A. M., belonging to 
St. Andrew Lodge, No. 289, at Hobart, and 
Delta Chapter, No. 185, Royal Arch Masons, 
at Stamford. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gemmel are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church 
at Rose Brook, and in politics Mr. Gemmel 
is a Republican. He occupies a high place 
in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. 



§AMES ARTHUR HOLLEY, M.D., 
is a prominent physician and surgeon 
of Walton, and, being a close student, 
is well versed in medical lore, and has 
a large and successful practice. A native of 
Delaware County, he was born in the town of 
Hamden, October 10, 1854, on the farm of 
his parents, George and Maria (Bice) Hoi ley, 
the former of whom was born in 1818, of 
English ancestors, and the latter in 1819, of 
German antecedents. 

George Holley was one of the early settlers 
of this section of the county, and an important 
factor in its development and imj^rovement. 
He began life here as a farmer, with limited 
means, but by sturdy industry not only hewed 
out a good farm from the wilderness, but ac- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



««7 



quired a comfortable competence. He was a 
man of probity and ability, and of a religious 
character. Both he and his excellent wife 
were conscientious members of the Baptist 
church, wherein he served for many years as a 
Deacon. Eight cliildren were born into their 
household, mentioned as follows: William, a 
resident of Walton, married Enmia Robinson. 
He was a volunteer soldier in the late Civil 
War, serving in Company B, One Hundred 
and P'orty-fourth New York Volunteer Infan- 
try, and was wounded at the battle of Hany 
Hill. Sylvia, who was the wife of Jacob 
Boyer, of Broome County, New York, died at 
the age of twenty-five years. John, a farmer, 
living in Walton, married lunma Benedict, a 
daughter of D. B. Benedict, of the same town. 
Eliza, who married George E. Benedict, died 
in Walton in 1S70. Lois died when twelve 
years old. George, a carpenter residing in 
Sidney Centre, married Hattie Smith, a 
daughter of Horace Smith, of Hamden. 
James A. is the subject of this notice. Jen- 
nie is the wife of William Olmstead, of 
Walton. 

James A. HoUey was reared upon the pa- 
ternal homestead, and during the times of 
sowing and reaping assisted his father on the 
farm, and devoted the winter seasons to the : 
pursuit of knowledge, being a regular attend- 
ant at the district school, and one of its most 
promising pupils. He subsequently attended 
Walton Academy, and. after receiving a 
teacher's certificate, engaged in teaching for I 
several terms, with the money thus earned 
making his way through college. In 1S83 he 
entered the office of Dr. O. H. Young, of Sid- 
ney Centre, remaining there for two years, in 
the mean time attending Albany Medical Col- 
lege, from which he was graduated with honors 
in 1886. In the autumn of the same year, 
being well equipped for a medical career. Dr. 
Holley located in Walton, where he has since 
resided. His ability and talent are every- 
where recognized: and he has built up an ex- 
tensive and lucrative practice, and won an 
assured position among the foremost practi- 
tioners of the county. He is very popular 
among his professional brethren, and is a 
prominent member of the Delaware County 
Medical Societv. 



Ur. Holley was united in marriage, in 
1876, to Miss Flora l^enedict, a daughter of 
Daniel and Nancy (Weldon) Benedict; and 
their union has been a most ha])i)y one. 'Ihcy 
iiave no children of their own, but have taken 
to their home and hearts an adopted son, 
Frank Holley, and are bestowing upon him 
the same attention and advantages that they 
would sive to one of their own blood. 




,^ ...1.IA;\I TWEEDIE is a prominent 
'^S\/ farmer in the town of Hamden, 
Delaware County, his estate being 
locatetl on East Brook, Joint District No. 5. 
He was born in Peeblesshire, -Scotland, in 
1830, anil in the spring of 1849 came to 
America with his parents and nine brothers 
and sisters. The father was Alexander 
Tweed ie, and the mother was Mary Bruce, a 
descendant of Robert Bruce. One of their 
children died in Scotland, at the age of three, 
and an infant in Hamden. William was the 
fifth in ortler of birth, two brothers and two 
sisters being his predecessors. All but one 
of these adult children are now living, and all 
the sons are in Walton except \\'illiam. The 
one exce|)tion is James Tweedie. In 1S56 he 
went to California bv way of the Isthmus of 
Panama, and engaged in mining. For gen- 
erations his ancestors had been shepherds; 
and so, after tiring of gold-digging, he fol- 
lowed his inherited instincts, and turned his 
attention to sheep-raising in Nevada, where 
he died at the early age of twenty-eight, and 
was buried in Virginia City, on November 
6, 1862. As he was unmarried, his lands, 
flocks, and herds should naturally and legally 
have belonged to his relations: but they never 
came into possession of any of his property. 

The paternal grandfather was John Tweedie, 
and his wife's name was Nicholas: but noth- 
ing more is known of her parental families. 
John Tweedie had five boys and a girl, but 
the only one who came to .America was Alex- 
ander. He became (thanks to freer institu- 
tions) a far more successful man than his 
home-kL-eping brothers. His wife died June 
II, 1881, aged sc\enty-eight : and he passed 
away on the 8th of November. 1 8S2, at the 
age of eighty-five. On coming hither, they 



ii8 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



had thirteen hundred dollars left after paying 
the passage for their party of twelve in the 
sailing-ship, which made the ocean passage in 
thirty days, arriving when the echoes of the 
Mexican War were yet flying in the air, and 
General Taylor had ridden into the White 
House on the strength of his military popular- 
ity. As might be supposed, the Tweedies are 
Presbyterians in religion; and the father was 
an Elder in the kirk. 

William Tweedie fed his father's flocks on 
the Cheviot Hills; but he also received a fair 
schooling there, which was increased by one 
term after he was nineteen and the family had 
come to America, though his time was mostly 
occupied by work on the two-hundred-acre 
farm adjacent to the one now owned and culti- 
vated by himself. During two summers he 
worked out by the month. In 1859, when he 
was twenty-nine, came an important change; 
for he then married May D. Munn, daughter 
of John and Margaret (Clark) Munn, both 
Scotch people, though they were married in 
Bovina. Mrs. Tweedie was born in 1838, so 
she is her husband's junior by eight years. 
She has one brother, Hugh, and two sisters: 
Mary, the wife of Andrew Doig; and Mar- 
garet, the widow of James Arbuckle, of Wal- 
ton. The mother, Mrs. Munn, died when her 
youngest child, Margaret, was born, though 
only in the prime of life. The father re- 
mained a widower many years, and died on 
his farm, Ajiril 22, 1879, aged seventy-six. 

After their marriage, April 6, 1859, Mr. 
and Mrs. William Tweedie began united 
domestic life in a log cabin in the woods, 
with a log barn and log out-houses to keep it 
company. The original hundred and twenty- 
six acres cost fourteen hundred dollars, and 
the young couple ran in debt seven hundred 
dollars in order to stock it. Among other 
things they bought a yoke of oxen, six cows, 
and (true to the Cheviot training) three 
sheep. In due time the hundred acres in- 
creased fourfold, with from eighty to a hun- 
dred sheep, and a dairy of from forty to sixty 
cows. In later years Mr. Tweedie gave his 
attention largely to a flock of Cotswold sheep, 
hut never did he forget his native Cheviots. 
In connection with his active enterprise as a 
sheep-breeder, he has exhibited at the State 



and county fairs his Cotswold specimens, 
yielding fleeces weighing over twenty pounds: 
and very often he has been appointed one of 
the judges, for nowhere is there a better judge 
of wool. One Cotswold lock, cut from a 
Canadian yearling ram, was sent to Washing- 
ton because of its extraordinary length of 
twenty-one inches; and the owner was awarded 
a diploma. The patient oxen have been dis.- 
placcd by five fine horses, and the master can 
drive a fine team before plough and wagon. 
After the martyrdom of Abraham Lincoln, for 
whom he wore crape a month, Mr. Tweedie 
gave his adherence to the prohibitory cause, 
but has never held any office, though he was 
once placed on the Prohibition ticket as can- 
didate for the General Assembly, and received 
a large vote. The family residence is far 
from the main road, and is a fine dwelling, 
built in 1887, embowered amid Norway spruce 
and other evergreen trees, set out in 1870, 
and now grown from nine inches to thirty feet 
high. 

In religion, as well as in daily pursuits, 
the Tweedies have followed in the parental 
paths, and are members of the United Presby- 
terian church. Forty years has the head of 
the household had charge of a Bible class, 
besides being a Trustee, Deacon, and the in- 
cumbent of other offices. Besides being re- 
spected for his ability and thought, Mr. 
Tweedie is a popular man. The IJ'cfi'/j' Re- 
porter instituted a voting contest for the most 
popular farmer, and Mr. Tweedie won by two 
thousand majority; and on his shelves is a set 
of historic books, received as the prize for the 
best article on farming. It is somewhat re- 
markable that a man whose days have been 
necessarily passed in plodding, agricultural 
pursuits should have developed so much liter- 
ary ability, suggestive of great possibilities in 
the line of scholarship had Providence called 
him into academic grooves. His wife has 
borne her full share of the labor, having a 
vigorous physique. Though the mother of 
nine children, she can to-day walk miles 
without fatigue. The heroes of the world are 
not all in parliamentary halls or battlefields. 
These old farms represent years of labor. 
How many times they have been cleared — 
first of timber, next of stumps, and then. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



successive 
moitgagcs I 
tho- 



oncc, twice, and even tlirico, of 
stone crops, and final 1\' from 
Well has that dear lover of outdoor life, 
reau, written : — 

"Did you ever hear of a man who had 
striven all his life faithfully and sint;ly 
toward an object, and in no measure obtained 
it? If a man constantly aspires, is he not 
elexated? Did ever a man try heroism, niaj;- 
nanimity, truth, sincerity, and find that there 
was no advantage in them, that it was a vain 
endeavor?" 

Of Mr. Twcedie's children, the eldest is 
Alexander, who was born April 23, i860, is 
married, and now a farmer at Dunk Hill, in 
Walton. Margaret, born December 17, iSfn, 
is the wife of Walter Miller, of North 1 lam- 
den, and has one daughter. Mary, born April 
8, 1864, is the wife of Frank Doig, a farmer, 
and has one daughter. John Tweedie, born 
August 5, 1869, is a stone worker in Hamtlen, 
and unmarried. William James, born F'ebru- 
ary 7, 1872, is still at home; and so are 
Lizzie M., born September 7, 1874, George 
Bruce, June 22. 1877, and Robert A., July 
19, 1 88 1. One child died in infancy. 



-OHN D. CLANCEV. of Margarettville, 
N.\'., the well-known proprietor of 
the largest cooper's shop in Delaware 
County, was born in Olive. Ulster 
County, on July 14, 1864. His parents, 
William antl Elizabeth McCadden Clancey. 
were both natives of West Maid. Ireland, and 
came to America on their wedding journey in 
1839. They bought a farm of eighty acres in 
Olive, and remained thereon for thirty-two 
years, prosperously engaged in farming. 
William Clancey died in 1871, leaving these 
children: Thomas, who married Sarah Becker, 
to whom one child was born, lives in the 
town of Hurley. Anna, who married IM. A. 
Meagher, of Kingston, a commercial trav- 
eller, is the mother of eight children. Cath- 
erine, who married H. P. Kelly, lives near 
Arkville. Lizzie, who married B. Soper, a 
real estate agent in Illinois, has one child. 
Willie, who married L. Lavy, lives in Shan- 
daken, Ulster County, and has one child. 
John D. is the subject of further mention 



below. Joseph and George are both in the 
ice business in Jersey. 

John, the original of this sketch, grew up 
on his father's farm, and at eighteen learned 
the coojx'r's trade at Margarettville, under the 
training of M. A. Meagher, whose ]ilace was 
on the corner of Walnut and Orchard Streets. 
Mr. Clancey afterward liought out Mr. 
Meagher, and has since conducted a large 
business, manufacturing tubs, firkins, churns, 
and barrels, and dealing in cooi)er supplies of 
all kinds, having many varieties of wooden- 
ware. His shop caught fire on the 4th of 
July, 1894, and was burned to the ground; 
but, with the energy which is characteristic of 
the man, he has built a new shop on a larger 
scale, two stories in height, and anticijxites 
making still further aildilions. 

In i8()r he married Maggie B. Carey, 
daughter of Lute and Sarah (Kelly) Carey. 
The father-in-law of Mr. Clancey lives on 
Red Kill, near Griffin's Corner, and is consid- 
ered one of the best farmers in the neighbor- 
hood, conducting a fine dairy, in which he takes 
great pride. He has four children: Maggie, 
Mrs. Clancey: .\ellie; William; and Rose. 

Mr. Clancey is a faithful Democrat, and is 
as active in the political interests of the 
country as he is in his own business affairs 
and personal concerns. As is well known in 
these parts, his shop has always been consid- 
ered to be one of the best in the county; and 
it is a fact worthy of being here recorded that 
firkins and tubs manufactured in John D. 
Clancev's cooperage have taken first premium 
in Delaware County five years in succession. 

Mr. Clancey has always had a great many 
warm friends among the farmers of this sec- 
tion, and m.ay be trusted by manly dealing to 
merit the continuance of their patronage and 
;rood will. 



(^rAMllS i:. HARPER, a dealer in 
watches, diamonds, jewelry, and silver- 
ware, whose attractive store is located 
on Main Street, Delhi, well represents 
the mercantile interests of this village, and is 
classed among its most substantial business 
men. He is here carrying on a brisk and 
thriving trade, and, although young in years, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



has already fully established himself in the 
confidence of his fellow-townsmen. Mr. 
Harper is a native of Delaware County, hav- 
ing been born February i, 1867, in the town 
of Kortright. His immediate ancestors were 
also of this county, his grandfather, Henry 
Harper, having been a life-long resident of 
the town of Harpersfield, which was likewise 
the birthplace of his father, William H. 
Harper. 

William H. Harper was reared on the home 
farm, in Harpersfield, and accjuired his early 
knowledge in the district schools. At the 
youthful age of fifteen years, by reason of the 
death of his father, Henry Harper, he was 
obliged to assume the entire management of 
the old homestead, where he faithfully labored 
for thirteen years. Going then to Kortright, 
he purchased a farm on which some improve- 
ments had been made, and for thirty-five years 
thereafter cultivated the land, making essen- 
tial and valuable improvements, and placing 
it among the most productive homesteads in 
the vicinity. Having by diligence and thrift 
amassed a comfortable competency, he re- 
moved to the village of Delhi, where he is 
living, retired from active life, and heartily 
enjoying the well-deserved reward of his many 
years of toil. His wife, Sarah McEckron, 
was a native of Washington County, New 
York, and one of six children of Alexander 
McEckron. Five children blessed the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Harper, of whom four are 
living; namely, George, William, Anna, and 
James. The parents were both members of 
the United Presbyterian Church of North 
Kortright, where the father served as Deacon 
for many years. 

James E. Harper spent his boyhood and 
youth on the parental homestead in the place 
of his nativity, pursuing his studies in the 
public schools until seventeen years old, when 
he came to Delhi to learn the jewelry trade, 
serving his time with J. S. Page, the leading 
jeweller of the village. Four years later Mr. 
Harper bought out the jewelry business of 
O. C. Mann, of this place, and, after carry- 
ing it on in his own name for three years and 
six months, largely increased his trade by 
purchasing the long-established business of 
his former employer, Mr. Page. This large 



store, ninety feet long, he has completely re- 
stocked with choice goods from the best man- 
ufacturers in his various lines, having to-day 
not only the most extensive, but the best- 
equipped establishment of its kind in Dela- 
ware County. His honest and square dealing 
in all business transactions has won for him 
the respect of all who know him, and enabled 
him to secure an extensive patronage among 
the good people of this vicinity. 

On February 20, 1890, Maggie S. Mon- 
teith, a native of Martin, Mich., became the 
wife of Mr. Harper; and into their family 
circle two bright and active children have 
been born — Pauline and Harold Glen Harper. 
The parents of Mrs. Harper, Thomas and 
Margaret (Campbell) Monteith, were pioneer 
citizens of Martin, Mich., where Mr. Monteith 
cleared off a large tract of heavily timbered 
land, and improved a good homestead, on 
which he and his wife spent their declining 
years. He lived until seventy-five years old. 
Mrs. Monteith, who survived the death of her 
beloved husband but fifteen weeks, died at the 
age of seventy years. Both were devoted 
members of the United Presbyterian church. 

Mr. Harper has a pleasant home in a very 
desirable location on Main Street. In poli- 
tics Mr. Harper is a firm adherent of the Re- 
publican party, ever sustaining its principles 
by voice and vote. Socially, he is a promi- 
nent member of the Sons of Temperance of 
Delhi, and is Corresponding Secretary of the 
Young Men"s Christian Association, and is 
President of the Coimty Christian Endeavor 
Union. Both he and his estimable wife are 
valued members of the Second Presbyterian 
Church, of which he is Trustee, and in whose 
Sunday-school he has been a faithful teacher 
for the past six years. He may be counted as 
always ready to lend a helping hand to the 
needy, and to push forward any good substan- 
tial enterprise that will benefit his neighbor 
or improve the town. 



AVID W. HUBBELL, whose home 
is near Ilalcottsville, in Middle- 
town, N.Y., is a descendant of a 
family which has for several genera- 
tions been known and respected in America, 



Ji 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



The first ancestor in the colonies was Richard 
Ilubbell, who was born in Great Ikitain in 
1654, and came to the New World in 1699. 
The next in line successively were Peter, born 
1688, Enoch, born 1735, Joseph, born 1758. 
Milow W., son of Joseph, and father of David 
W. Hiibbcll, was born February 17, 1798, 
and came to Hubbell Hill from Connecticut. 
He here bought a farm of seventy acres, and 
cleared the land, which he afterward sold, in- 
tending to remove to Indiana. This intention 
was never carried out, as he decided to remain 
in Delaware County, and accortlingly pur- 
chased two hundred and forty acres in Bragg 
Hollow, which he improved b\- cultivation 
and made still more valuable b\- erecting a 
frame dwelling-house and barns. Some years 
later he sold that place to Daniel H. Jacjuish, 
and bought another farm on the river, where 
he passed the remainder of his life. Me mar- 
ried Mary Faulkner, a daughter of Patrick 
Faulkner, one of the early settlers of Dela- 
ware County. Eleven children were born to 
them here— George W., Lyman, Charles, 
Harvey, Patrick, John, David, Maria, Nancy, 
Catherine, and Fanny. Mrs. Hubbell was a 
member of the old-school Baptist church. 
Milow Hubbell was a Democrat, and held the 
office of Supervisor and Assessor during the 
anti-rent war. Having served in the army 
as a substitute three months at New York, at 
the close of the War of 1S12 he drew a pen- 
sion from the government up to the time of 
his death. 

David W., seventh .son of Milow and Mary 
Hubbell, as named above, was born November 
26, 1839, at the homestead where he now 
resides. At the age of twenty-four years he 
wooed and married Hulda Jaquish, who was 
born in Roxbury, Meeker Hollow, on March 
21, 1838. She was a daughter of Daniel H. 
and Sarah (Hull) Jaquish, and was a descend- 
ant of John Jaquish, a French emigrant who 
came to America during the Revolutionary 
War, and found his way through the forest by 
marked trees to Kortright, where he settled. 
He died in Delhi, ninety-three years of age, 
leaving a family of twelve children — John, 
Joseph, David, Margaret, Daniel IL, Nathan, 
John W., Mary, ]\Iathias, Dolly, Betsey, and 
Sallv. His wife died in her eighty-second 



year, in 1887. Daniel II. Jaciuish was born 
August 19, 1799, and died at the age of 
eighty-four years, in September of 1883. 
He raised a family of ten children — P'rastus 
R., Sarah B., Martin B., John I., Cynthia, 
Polly, Eliza, Hulda, George L., Ursula. 

Mr. Ilubbell and his wife Hulda had a 
family of chiklren, who came in the follow- 
ing order: Jolm E., born October 27, 1865, 
who died June 20, 1868; .Sarah M., born Se])- 
tember 10, 1867, who married John PTan- 
cisco, a conductor on the V. & P). Railroad; 
Byron, who was born October 20, 1869, and 
died March 18, 1876; George E., born Octo- 
I)er 30, 1871, a graduate of the Baltimore 
College of Physicians and Surgeons; Burnet, 
born March 26, 1S74; Mary F., born May 6, 
1876; L'rsula, born June 10, 1883. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ilubbell began domestic life 
on a farm which he bought at Halcottsv ille: 
but he has since sold that estate, and returned 
to the old Bragg Hollow homestead, remodel- 
ling the dwelling into a large and beautiful 
residence. Here, during the hot summer 
months, they entertain that class of town 
folks known as "summer boarders," who arc 
delighted to exchange the din and dust and 
glare of hot ])avements and sun-scorched walls 
for the cool quiet of some country retreat. 
The large, airy house, with its water sujiply 
from the pure hillside streams, its excellent 
dairv, and charming location, offers s])ecial 
attractions to families of children, and is a 
favorite rendezvous for New Yorkers each sea- 
son. As many as twenty-five are accommo- 
dated at once, and there arc thirty-two fat 
[ersey cows in pasture whose special mission 
it is to minister to the apjietites of Gotham's 
summer idlers. 

Mr. Hubbell is a Democrat and a Granger, 
and in his religious views is a liberal Chris- 
tian, not being bound down by creed or 
dogma. 



I PES BRAMEIA', favorably known 
in the town of Walton as an 
J|L( industrious and enter])rising 
farmer, is the proprietor of a fine 
homestead pleasantly situated on the river 
road about three miles from the village. Thg 




BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



])lace of his birth was in the town of Hovina, 
Delaware County; its date, December 19, 
1 83 1. Mr. Rraniley is the worthy representa- 
tive of an old New England family, his pa- 
ternal grandfather, who was a Revolutionary 
pensioner, having been a life-long resident of 
that part of the Union, and one of its re- 
spected farmers. 

Henry Bramley, the father of Miles, was 
reared to manhood in his New England home, 
but after his marriage removed to this part of 
New York, and, settling in the town of Bo- 
vina, bought the farm on which his youngest 
son, Girard Bramley, now lives. There he 
toiled early and late, and by unremitting 
labor improved a good homestead, where he 
and his faithful wife and helpmate spent their 
remaining years, he passing away at the age 
of fourscore and four years, and she living to 
celebrate her eighty-fifth birthday. Her 
maiden name was Betsey Wright, and she was 
a life-long resident of Delaware County. 
She bore her husband twelve children; 
namely, Mary Ann, Phebe Ann, Sylvanus, 
William, John, Amanda, James, Susan, 
Charles, Miles, Alexander, and Girard. Of 
this large family five sons and two daughters 
are still living. The mother was a practical 
Christian woman, and was identified with the 
Methodist church, to which she belonged for 
many years. 

Miles Bramley assisteil his father in open- 
ing up his farm, and made his home with his 
parents until he was twenty-five years of age. 
He then purchased land in Bloomville, in the 
town of Kortright, and for two years was em- 
ployed in the labors of husbandry. The fol- 
lowing year he spent in Bovina, coming thence 
to Walton, when he bought the farm on which 
he has since resided. He raises hay and 
grain, but pays especial attention to dairying, 
sending his milk directly to the city of New 
York. 

Mr. Bramley has been twice married. His 
union with Abigail Nicholas, the daughter of 
Elijah and Amanda Nicholas, members of the 
farming community of Bovina, was solemnized 
on January 6, 1857; and their happy wedded 
life lasted twenty-five years. Mrs. Abigail 
Bramley was a Methodist in religion. She 
died at fifty-five years of age, leaving two 



children — Ella A. and Frances A. Ella is 
the wife of Hubert Sewell, of Walton, of 
whom a sketch appears on another page of this 
volume. Frances married Charles Sabin, a 
banker, residing in Susquehanna, Pa. On 
March 20, 1890, Mr. Bramley formed a sec- 
ond matrimonial alliance, with Elizabeth H. 
Blair, a daughter of Peter and Margaret (Mc- 
Cune) Blair, the former of whom was born in 
Scotland, and the latter in Bovina, but of 
Irish parentage on the maternal side. 

The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Bramley, 
William Blair, emigrated from Scotland, bring- 
ing his family with him, and took up his 
abode in Delhi, where he bought land, and 
engaged in agricultural pursuits, carrying on 
farming in conjunction with blacksmithing, a 
trade which he had followed in his native 
country. The father of Mrs. Bramley began 
his career as an independent farmer in the town 
of Bovina, where he met and wooed the fair 
woman who became his bride; and on the 
homestead in that town, which he improved, 
both afterward lived until their departure from 
this world, he passing away at the age of 
sixty-seven years, and she at threescore years. 
They were both esteemed members of the 
Associate Reformed Presbyterian church. 
Eight of the ten children born of their union 
grew to maturity; namely, Nancy, Mary, 
William, Samuel, James, Margaret, Elizabeth 
H., and Jane S. Of this number Mrs. liram- 
ley and one son are the only ones now living. 
Mr. Bramley uniformly casts his vote with 
the Republican party, and in all respects is a 
citizen deeply interested in the welfare of his 
county and community. Both he and his wife 
are members of the Methodist church. 



/^3T*EORGE H. BRINKMAN, M.D., is 
y •) I one of the most popular and success- 
— ful physicians of the town of Frank- 
lin, where he has practised since December 
20, 1893. He was born in Ro.xbury, Dela- 
ware County, N.Y., March 10, 1864, son of 
Dedrick and Elizabeth (Vareschorst) Brink- 
man, a short sketch of the life of whom is 
given elsewhere in this volume, where the 
biography of his brother, William Brinkman, 
is also narrated. When but two years of age 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'23 



George was brought to I'ranklin by his par- 
ents, who resided in the town for fourteen 
years, and then moved to the Chauncy Ogden 
farm, one and one half miles north. After 
living here for two years, they removed to a 
farm of one hundred and seventy acres on 
East Handsome lirook, known as the Warren 
Green place. This home they occupied until 
the death of Dr. 15rinkman"s father, when his 
mother moved into the village. 

Studiously inclined from his boxhood, 
young Brinkman'made good use of his time at 
the district school, and when sixteen was sent 
to the Delaware Literary Institute, where he 
was a pupil for eight terms. He afterward 
taught school one term, and began the study 
of medicine with Dr. McNaught, in February, 
1885. For three years he studied with Dr. 
McNaught, during which time he took three 
courses of lectures at the medical department 
of the University of the City of New York, 
eraduatinfr March 6, 1888. standing number 
seventeen in a class of two hundred. In 
April, 1888, he began to practise at Daven- 
port, in this county, where he remained until 
December 20, 1893, when he removed to 
Franklin, and entered into partnership with 
his old classmate, Dr. S. J. White. These 
two young physicians have already secured 
quite a large practice, which is constantly in- 
creasing, as their ability in their j^rotession 
becomes more widely known. 

On December 27, 1886, Dr. Brinkman mar- 
ried Miss Lotta M. Wilson, of Xew York 
City, by whom he had one son, William Farl, 
who died when four and one-half months o'ld. 
Mrs. Brinkman passed away, after a year's 
illness, on December 31, 1890, being but 
twenty years of age. The Doctor was again 
married January 18, 1893, his bride being 
Mrs. Hannah Andrews, widow of George I). 
Andrews, and the only child of C S. and 
Emma (Stewart) Robertson, both of whom 
were natives of Worcester, Otsego County. 
Mrs. Brinkman received her education at the 
Albany Female Academy. 

Dr. Brinkman votes with the Democratic 
party: but, although displaying a lively inter- 
est in all political affairs, he has little time 
in which to take an active part. He is an 
energetic, progressive man, who possesses 



rare qualifications for his chosen profession. 
The Doctor is a member of Franklin Lodge, 
No. 562, A. F. & A. M., of I'ranklin, X.Y. 



01 IX J. HL'RKE. The manufacturing 
and mercantile interests of Delaware 
Count}' have no more worthy rejiresent- 
alive than the gentleman whose name 
stantls at the head of this sketch. He is the 
leading merchant tailor of the county; and at 
his place of business in liell's Block, Main 
Street, Delhi, he carries a comi)lete stock of 
both domestic and imported gcjods, including 
the hitest and most desirable patterns from 
the largest and most reliable manufacturers of 
two continents. His thorough knowledge of 
his business and the especial pains which he 
takes to please his customers, personally 
studying the wants of each and every one, sec- 
onded by his genial and agreeable manners 
and his honorable and upright business 
methods, have won him during his residence 
in Deliii a well-deserved reputation as the 
best and most trustworthy tailor in this part 
of the State. He is of Irish i)arentage. and 
a native of West \'irginia, having been born 
in Rowlesburg, February 27, 1S65. 

Martin Burke, the father of the subject of 
this brief biography, was born and bred in 
Ireland, where, on attain iTig manhood, he 
worked as a ilav laborer until about 1864, 
when, accomjjanied by his wife and one child, 
he sailed for America, hoping in this country 
to achieve the independence denied him in 
his native land. After a short stay in New- 
York City, where he landed, he ])roceeded to 
Rowlesburg, Preston County, W.Ya.. whither 
one of his brothers had preceded him. He 
subsequently. purchased a farm there, and car- 
ried on general farming the residue of his 
life, which was not a long time, he being 
called to his eternal rest in 1878, when fifty 
vears old. He was an honest, hard-working 
man; and both he and his wife were faithful 
members of the Catholic church. The bride 
of his vouth, to whom he was united while in 
the country of his nativity, was Hannah Lee. 
She bore him four children, namely: Valen- 
tine; Mary, deceased; Bridget, deceased: and 
John J. She lived but a few short months 



124 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



after coming to the United States, dying in 
Rowlesburg, at the age of forty years. 

John J. Burke was but two months old 
when he was left motherless; and, until his 
father again married, he lived with an uncle. 
Returning home after that event, he remained 
a member of the paternal household until the 
death of his father, when he was a lad of thir- 
teen years. The following winter he con- 
tinued his studies in the public school, going 
thence to Grafton, where he lived about six 
years, being first employed as an office boy. 
When fifteen years old he began to learn the 
tailor"s trade, entering the shop of J. H. Ger- 
kin, of Grafton, with whom he served a four 
years" apprenticeship. He became a most 
efficient and skilful workman, thoroughly con- 
versant with every branch of the business, re- 
membering the adage that "whatever is worth 
doing at all is worth doing well," and on this 
fundamental principle basing his success. In 
1 88 5 Mr. Burke removed to Pittsburg, Pa., 
where he worked a short time, going from 
there to McKeesport, and soon afterward to 
Washington, D.C. Coming thence to Dela- 
ware County, he secured a position in Delhi 
with Mr. O'Connor, with whom he worked for 
three years. The following year he worked 
in Watertown, N.Y., being afterward em- 
ployed as a cutter in a tailoring establish- 
ment in Turin, N.Y., for a year. Mr. Burke 
then returned to Delhi, and established the 
business in which he has since been so pros- 
perously engaged, easily taking a foremost 
rank. 

On October 14, 1891, Mr. Burke was united 
in marriage with Miss Hstellc Stoutenburg. 
Mrs. l?urke is the daughter of Hiram Stouten- 
burg, cashier of the Adams Express Company 
of Delhi, a sketch of whose life appears else- 
where in this volume. Their happy marriage 
has been blessed by the birth of one child, 
Leda. Politically, Mr. Burke is a stanch 
sujiporter of the principles of the Democratic 
party, and holds a conspicuous position in the 
.social organizations of the town, being a 
prominent member of the Masonic frater- 
nity, belonging to Delhi Lodge, No. 439, 
A. F. & A. M. Mr. Burke is also an effi- 
cient member of the fire department, belong- 
ing to Active Hose, No. 5, in which, owing 



to his great popularity with the members of 
the company, he was in 1892 elected to the 
position of foreman. He is a regular attend- 
ant of the Second Presbyterian Church, of 
which his wife is a sincere and consistent 
member. Mr. and Mrs. Burke vie with each 
other in their efforts to make their home at- 
tractive to their many friends, extending to 
each one with true hospitality a cordial and 
hearty welcome. 



AMES SACKRIDER, who for many 
years successfully farmed his ancestral 
acres in the town of Kortright, where 
he died May 4, 1883, was born in 
Schoharie County, December i, 1813, and 
was the son of Henry W. and Hester (Wet- 
more) Sackrider. His great-grandfather. 
Christian Sackrider, came from Germany and 
settled in Dutchess County. 

Moses Sackrider. son of Christian, was 
born August 29, 1746, and was the first mem- 
ber of the family to settle in Kortright. 
When he came to this county, it was a wooded 
wild, with here and there a clearing. He 
made the journey on horseback, and, on arriv- 
ing, bought the farm of one hundred and fifty 
acres now owned and occupied by Mrs. Sack- 
rider. Building a rude log cabin, he here 
spent the rest of his life, being at the time of 
his death ninety years old. The wife of 
Moses Sackrider was Hannah Wright, born 
August 2, 1745; and they had seven children; 
namely, Daniel, Thomas, Solomon, Mary, 
Timothy, Hannah, Henry. All grew to ma- 
turity, and all except Thomas attained a good 
old age. Moses was a Whig in politics, and 
in religion a member of the Episcopal church. 
He was a strong Free Mason, was a hard 
worker, and a prominent man in his day. 

Henry W. Sackrider was born in Delaware 
County, and, like his father Moses, was a 
farmer and an able and diligent worker. The 
old homestead descended to him by inheri- 
tance; and by him and other members of the 
family the territory included in the first farm 
of the Sackriders was greatly increased, till it 
consisted of about four hundred and fifty 
acres. His religious interests were centred 
about the Methodist Episcopal church at 




JfiMES SflCKRIDER. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



127 



Bloomvillo, of which he ami his wile, Hester 
Wctniore, were members. They had tiirce 
children — Christian, Sail)', and James — all 
of whom lived to reach maturity, and are now- 
deceased. Henr)' W. Sackrider died July 5, 
1S66, aged sovent\'-nine, and liis wife Novem- 
ber 24, 1866, aged eighty. 

James, the only son of IIenr\' W. and Hes- 
ter Sackrider, grew up on the farm, received 
his clementar}' education in the district school 
near his home, and then went to a high school 
in Schoharie County. After finishing his 
studies, he succeeded to the management of 
the farm, and engaged extensively in <lairy- 
ing. Being an excellent business man, his 
success was assured from the start; and he 
carried on his farm with much care and sys- 
tem. He was married September 23, 1S44, 
to fane Ann Thomas, who was borrt in the 
town of Stamford, March 5, 18 19, and was the 
daughter of Abram Thomas, an earlv settler 
of Stamford. They had four children, only 
one of whom is now living — Helen S., 
widow of the late V. V. (iibson, of Stamford. 
Mrs. Jane A. Sackrider passed away in 1870. 

In 1880 James Sackrider married foi' his 
second wife Mary Jane Trelease, wlio was 
born May 21, 1854, in Rondout, L'lster 
County, N.Y. Her father, William Trelease. 
was born in Cornwall, I""ngland, Decc'mbtr 
14, 1826, and died March 6, 1S87. His 
wife, Ann Mitchell Trelease, was boin in 
I'"nglan<l in 1S35, and died October 24, 1863. 
They were the parents of tliese children : Mary 
Jane, Mrs. Sackrider, the eldest; Celia, wife 
of John N. Boyd, of Rondout; Edward; and 
Burdella, who also li\-es in Rondout. Mr. 
Trelease was a public contractor and an able 
business man of Rondout for many years pre- 
vious to his death. The family were mem- 
bers of the Episcopal church, and he was a, 
strong Rejniblican in ]M)litics. The grand- 
father of Mrs. Sackrider was Abraham Tre- 
lease, born in bjigland, ( )ctober 2. 1794. 
His wife, lennie Alford, was also born in 



Ensrland, 



lune f). \7'-)7- Hi 



land, in 1664, and was conni'cted with many 
of the stirring e\ents of two centuries ago. 
Mrs. Miry J. Trelease -Sackrider has two chil- 
dren: William IL, born December 22, 1S80; 
ami Harry ]•:., born May 25, 1883. Since 
the deatli of her husband eleven years ago, 
Mrs. .Sackrider has conducted the business of 
the farm. She has two hunch-ed and forty of 
the original acres, and carries on a dairy sup- 
plied by forty-five cows, grade Jerseys, selling 
milk at the station at an average of two thou- 
sand cans a year. Eike her husband, she has 
shown in all her dealings great executive abil- 
ity. As members of the Methodist I^piscopal 
church at Bloomville and liberal sujijiorters of 
its work, they have always been held in high 
regard . 

A ])ortrait of James -Sackrider accompanies 
this brief record of himself and his connec- 
tions b\- birth and mai'riatre. 



keeper, one of the jovial hosts of thi.' last 
century, and was father of fourteen children, 
thirteen of whom grew to maturity. The 
famil}' trace their lineage back to Richard 
Trelease, who was born in Cornwall, I'-ng- 




RS. CORDlvI.IA HANEORD, 

widow of the late (ieorge M. Han- 
iord, of Walton, is a w-oman of 
ulture and refinement, and is 
held in high esteem throughout the commu- 
nity wherein hi'r entire life has been spent, 
her birth having occurred in North Walton, 
Eebruary 26, 1826. She is of New I'.ngland 
ancestry, and the descendant of a prominent 
pioneer of this part of Delaware County, her 
grandfather, Caleb Benedict, having come 
hither from Connecticut, the -State of liis na- 
tivity, at an early da\-. He was one of the 
first settlers of Wtrth Walton, where he pur- 
chased a tract of tindjcred land, from which 
he cleai'eil a goodly portion of the wood: and 
on the farm which he thus improved he spent 
the remaining years of his life. His worthy 
wile cheerfully shared with him the i)rivations 
of their lot. and assisted in the establisliment 
of their new home. Both were people whose 
lives were directed by high moral principles, 
and they were devout members of the Congre- 
gational church of North Walton. 

[ra Benedict, son of Caleb, the father of 
Mrs. Hanford, was born in Connecticut, and. 
coming here with his ]jarents, soon grew idd 
enougli to assist them in their arduous labors 
of improving a homestead. He attended the 



128 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



pioneer schools of this place, and, being 
familiar in his boyhood with agricultural pur- 
suits, naturally selected farming as his life 
occupation. After his marriage with Hannah 
Fitch he bought a farm near the home of his 
parents, and there carried on general husban- 
dry many years. At length disposing of that 
property, Mr. Benedict removed to Wisconsin, 
where he spent a few years, but later returned 
to Walton and spent his last days at the home 
of his daughter, Mrs. Hanford, passing away 
at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. His 
wife was the daughter of Seymour Fitch, an 
honored and influential pioneer of Walton, 
who came here from Connecticut, bringing 
with him his young wife and three children, 
who performed the long journey, through vast 
forests, on horseback. They began life in 
their new home in a humble log cabin, on the 
farm adjoining the one on which Mrs. Han- 
ford now lives. Mr. Fitch was an important 
factor in building up this town, contributing 
his full share toward its development and 
advancement. Both he and his wife were 
closely identified with the interests of the 
Congregational church of Walton, of which 
they were active members. Ira Benedict 
reared a family of nine children, as follows: 
Edward S., who died April 17, 1894; Eliza- 
beth; Lewis; Maria; Nathan; Cordelia; 
Marv; Hiram; and Helen. Mrs. Benedict 
died in North Walton when but forty-nine 
years of age. 

Cordelia Benedict passed the days of her 
childhood and early maidenhood with her par- 
ents, receiving from her mother a practical 
training in the domestic arts that well fitted 
her for her future position as a housewife and 
helpmate to her husband. On November 2, 
1848, .she became the bride of George M. 
Hanford, a son of Levi and Cynthia Hanford. 
His father was a native of Connecticut and an 
early settler of Walton. Mr. Hanford, who 
was a man of honor and integrity, possessing 
qualities of character which greatly endeared 
him to his family, and won for him the es- 
teem and confidence of all who knew him, 
departed this life November 8, 1878, being 
then sixty-two years of age. 

Into the hou.sehold of Mr. and Mrs. Hanford 
were born six children — ^ William L., Eliza 



M., Samuel I., Piatt Mead, Henry C, and 
Lucia C. Henry C. died at the tender age of 
one year. William L. married Anna Tib- 
bals. Eliza M., who married William T. 
Moore, a clerk in a general store in Walton, 
has three children — Annie H., Henry S., 
and Charles W. Samuel I., who married Ro- 
setta Ritsher, is a graduate of the Theological 
Seminary in Chicago, and the ])astor of a 
Congregational church in Aurora, Neb. Piatt 
Mead married Emily Ogden, the daughter of 
Edward and Margaret Ogden ; and of their 
union three children were born, only one of 
whom, Bessie E. Hanford. is now living. 
George, the only son, died in 1884, and the 
youngest daughter, Mabel, and her mother 
passed away in 18S7. Mrs. Cordelia Bene- 
dict Hanford and her family are worthy of the 
high respect accorded them by a wide circle of 
friends and acquaintances. They are con- 
scientious members of the Congregational 
church, in which her son William has served 
with fidelity for many years as Trustee and 
Deacon. 



(5 I HO MAS D. MIDDLEMAST, a promi- 
' I nent farmer residing on the old home- 
-*- stead near Delhi, was born May 18, 
i860, and is a son of Thomas and Jane 
(Douglass) Middlemast. The paternal grand- 
father, Thomas Middlemast, was a native of 
Scotland, residing there until his marriage, 
when he came to this country, and settled on 
a farm on the Little Delaware River. He 
made his home with his children during the 
latter years of his life. The names of his 
children were as follows: Thomas, John, 
William, James, Ellen, Elizabeth, and Anne. 
Thomas Middlemast, the father of the sub- 
ject of this biographical notice, was educated 
in the district schools, and assisted his father 
on the farm. He rented a farm for three 
years, afterward purchasing the one where his 
son now lives. Mrs. Middlemast is a native 
of Meredith, her father having been a well- 
known farmer of that locality. The family 
were originally from Scotland, in which coun- 
try her father was engaged in the occupation 
of a shepherd. Mrs. Middlemast was one of 
six children, as follows: Margaret, who re- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



129 



sides in Delhi; Jane; Jinies; I'llizabetli ; Isa- 
bella: and William 11. Mr. Middlemast died 
September 27, 1887, at the aj;e of sixty live. 
He left a family of five children: Mari^aret, 
the wife of Joseph -S. MeMurdy. of Delhi: 
Thomas D. ; William J.: Belle W., the wife 
of William J. lloaj;-, a farmer of Sullivan 
County: and I'.hene/.er R. John died when an 
infant. 

Thomas D. Middlemast was educated at tiie 
district schools; and since his father's death 
he, with one of his l)rothers, has mana,>;ed 
the farm, which consists of about two hundred 
and fiftv acres, devotiui;- a large portion of iiis 
time to the dairy, and keeping from fifty to 
seventy head of cattle. Mr. Middlemast is a 
prominent member of Delhi Lodge, No. 439, 
A. F. & A. M., in which he has held several 
important offices. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican. He has been Collector of Taxes for 
the town, and is President of the Delaware 
County Agricultural Societ), a iiosition he 
has filled with honor and dignity for two 
years. He is an attendant of the Presbyterian 
church, of which his mother is a mendjer. 
That Mr. Middlemast possesses progressive 
ideas is clearly demonstrated by the model 
farm which he so ably conducts, a fine ex- 
ample of careful and [n-udent management. 



Yf^ICHARD 15. ROBINSON, son of 

\i\ I)'"o^'"-'c A. and Roxy A. (Benjamin) 

Vs\ Robinson, was born on .September 

^""^ II, 1841, in the town of Roxbury. 

His maternal grandfather was Ijorn in 1778. 

When a young man he came to Delaware 

County, where he plied his trade of masonry, 

undertaking work by contract, paving the way, 

and laying the foundation, in both a literal 

and figurative sense, to prosperity and hapj)!- 

ness; "for it was here that he met and won his 

wife. 

Mr. Dinghee A. Robinson was also a native 
of Roxbury, and received a jjractical education 
in the district school. He was a farmer and 
teamster until 1866, when he exchanged 
plough and spade for counter and scales, antl 
established a grocery store, in which his son 
Richard held a partnership, and in which he 
took an active interest until the day of his 



death. He w;is a stanch aiilierent of the 
Democratic party, and a consistent member 
of the old schocd Ba|)tist church. He mar- 
ried Miss Benjamin, whose father has been 
before mentioned, and died in the fifty-fifth 
year of his age, leaving a widow and three 
children: Henry C, who married Miss Sarah 
Dart, and is now a merchant in Camden, 
N.J.; a ilaughter Betsey, who died young; 
antl Richard B. Robinson, the original of the 
])resent outline portrait. 

Richard was educatetl at the Roxbury 
Academy, and at the age of twenty-tiiree went 
into the drug business in Prattsville, Greene 
Count)', but s(dd out later, and returned to 
Roxbury, where he joined his father in the 
grocery. Ten years afterwaid he sold out his 
interest in this to Burhans & Lauren. In 
1885 he was ajiiiointed Postmaster under 
Grover C'levelarurs first administration. At 
the end of the Democratic Presidential term 
he resigned Ills office and became clerk for 
W. M. Banker, in whose employment he re- 
mained until President Cleveland's second 
term in the White House, when he again re- 
ceived the a]>|)ointment as Postmaster, having 
l)roved his fitness for the work and his 
efficacy. 

Mr. Robinson won for his wife Miss Plutbe 
White, of Prattsville. Miss White was a 
daughter of Hiram and Maria (Bate) White, 
whose married lives extended over such an 
exiKinse of vears — their deaths occurring 
within the sjiace of five days, both caused by 
])neuinonia —as to tleserve more than a pass- 
ing notice. There is a halo of beauty and 
|)athos surrounding the aged couple who had 
lived, sorrowed, and rejoiced together for the 
greater part of eighty-five years of shadow and 
sunshine, and whose earthly separation was so 
mercifully short. 

Mrs. Robinson died in tlu- s|)ring of 1894. 
at the age of tifty-two years. She was a con- 
sistent and faithful member of the Presbyte- 
rian church. She left one child, a daughter, 
Anna M., who lives at home, the only solace 
of a desolated fireside and a bereaved husband. 
Richard B. Robinson is a clear exponent 
and stanch adherent of the Democratic party, in 
whose serMces his energies have always been 
enlisted. He is a notary public, and a mem- 



13° 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



ber of the Masonic Order, belonging to Cceur 
de Lion Lodge, No. 571, at Roxbury, N.Y. 




IX1;R MINSON, whose post-office ad- 
dress is Ouleout, is a fine repre- 
sentative of the prosperous and 
intelligent agriculturists of Dela- 
ware County. He was born on the farm 
where he now resides, in the town of Frank- 
lin, December 21, 1843, being the son of 
John H. Munson, who was born in Meredith 
in 18 1 7, and died in Oneonta in i88g. 

Mr. Munson is of honored English ancestry 
on both sides of his family, his great-great- 
grandfather on his mother's side having been 
the Duke of Northumberland. His paternal 
grandfather, Heman Munson, was born in 
Watertown, Litchfield County, Conn., in 
1784, and was a resident of that place for 
many years. He married Sarah Hecock, a 
native of Connecticut, and afterward re- 
moved to this State, and was numbered among 
the well-to-do farmers. He reared six sons 
and one daughter. One of these, Peter Mun- 
son, is now a bright and active man of eighty- 
two years, having the full use of his mental 
and physical powers. The grandfather lived 
to celebrate his seventy-sixth birthday, dying 
in the town of Davenport, and being buried 
beside his wife and son John H. in the Oule- 
out cemetery. 

The father of the subject was from boy- 
hood a tiller of the soil. He bought the 
nucleus of the present homestead of the sub- 
ject in 1842, paying twelve dollars an acre 
for the first thirty acres of it. He cleared 
and improved this, and added somewhat to its 
acreage, having before his decease a good- 
sized and well-appointed farm. His widow, 
who has passed the seventy-fifth milestone of 
life, is now living with her daughter, Mrs. 
Josephine McMinn, in Oneonta. Her other 
living children are as follows: Milton D., a 
farmer, lives in F'ranklin. Albert H., a 
commercial traveller, resides in Chautauqua 
County; John A., a physician, in Sulli- 
van County; Ainer in Franklin; and Mrs. 
T. K. Walker lives at Downsville. One son, 
William A., formerly a cattle dealer, died in 
1885, at the age of thirty years. 



Ainer Munson was reared to farm life, and 
obtained a firm foundation for his education 
in the district school, this being supplemented 
by a year's attendance at a select school in 
Oneonta, and another year at the Delaware 
Literary Institute in Franklin. During the 
progress of the late Civil War he enlisted in 
September, 1864, as a L^nion soldier in Com- 
pany A, Thirteenth New York Heavy Artil- 
lery, serving as a private until the close of 
the war, being honorably discharged June 24, 
1865. He participated bravely in several en- 
gagements and skirmishes. After his return 
from the army Mr. Munson resumed his farm- 
ing operations on the old homestead, upon 
which he has since resided, being now the 
possessor of one hundred and eighty acres of 
land, the larger part of which is under culti- 
vation, well fenced, and improved, he having 
built two thousand five hundred rods of fenc- 
ing, and amply supplied the place with con- 
venient buildings. The barn is very ca- 
pacious and well arranged, being one hun- 
dred and twenty-four feet by forty-eight feet, 
with a basement having accommodations for 
fifty or sixty head of cattle. Mr. Munson has 
a fine dairy, containing twenty-five grade Jer- 
sey cows; and to the care of this he devotes a 
good deal of his attention, finding it a very 
profitable branch of industry. 

On October 30, 1866, Mr. Munson married 
Adelaide Ward, of Davenport Centre, where 
her birth occurred in 1849, her parents, 
Daniel and Emily (Brewer) Ward, being 
prosperous members of the farming commu- 
nity. Seven children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Munson, one of whom died when an 
infant, and another, Eva W., when eight 
years old. Alberta G. is the wife of John M. 
Hotaling, a farmer in Franklin, and has one 
daughter. Berenice B., a young lady, lives, 
at home. Edith Lyle lives at Oneonta. 
Walter H., an active youth of seventeen 
years, and John H., eleven years, live with 
their parents. 

In politics Mr. Munson is a stanch sup- 
porter of the Republican party, and has held 
various offices of trust, among others that of 
Justice of the Peace, which he is now filling 
most creditably and acceptably. Socially, he 
is a Chapter Mason, and a member of the 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Graiul Army o( the K<.'[)ublic, bclongiuL^ to 
the v.. 1). l'"arnicr Post, No. Ii6, of Oiu-oiita. 




III'.OPIIILL'S G. Al'STIN, whoso bi- 

oi;iai)li)' is herein given among those 
)f tlie prosperous men of Delaware 
County, was born on January 30, 1830, on the 
family estate where he now lives. His grand- 
father. Pardon Austin, was of English descent 
anil a native of Rhode Islanil, where he was a 
skilled tanner and shoemaker. Purchasing a 
tract of one hundred and forty-seven and one- 
half acres of land in Delaware County, he 
established a tannery near Arkville, still fol- 
lowing also for about twenty years his other 
trade of shoemaking. lie bought the frame 
of a grist-mill on White Brook, and built a 
house, and also put up the first frame barn in 
Middletown. He afterward moved to the 
Carter farm, and eventually to luie County, 
Pennsylvania, where he died, in his eighty- 
third year. He was a Whig, and a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. His 
wife, Jane Stanton, lived to be eighty-three 
years old, and was the mother of eight chil- 
dren — Pardon, Alexander, Jane, Eaura, Ma- 
linda, Rhoda, Henrietta, and P'reeman. 

Alexander Austin was born at the old 
homestead on April 5, 1798. Having grown 
to manhood, he bought the farm, and, drop- 
ping the tannery, went on with the improve- 
ment of the place. He also bought and 
cleared one hundred and thirt)' acres more, 
making his home here til! his death, when 
sixty-three years old. At the age of twenty- 
one, December 19, 1819, he married Deborah 
Dean, who was born August 16, 1804, a 
daughter of William and Mary (Mott) Dean. 
Mr. Dean was a Delaware farmer, and con- 
ducted a carding factory. Nine children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Austin, 
namely: Alfred L., Eebruary 11. 1822; 
William D.. August 16, 1823: Adalinc, De- 
cember 23, 1826: Henry M., December i, 
1828: Julia, August 12. 1832; Clarinda, Oc- 
tober 6, 1S35; Huklah Austin, born P\-bruary 
5, 1838; Polly D., March 4, 1843; Theoph- 
ilus G., January 30, 1830. Mr. Austin was a 
Republican, and served his town as Poormas- 
ter. His wife, who was a member of the 



Haptist church, li\'ed to the age of seventy- 
two )ears. 

'I'heophilus (j. Austin was educated in the 
district schools, and continued during iiis 
_\'outh and early manhood to work with his 
father, putting the farm into .1 higli state of 
cultivation, and was thirty years of age when 
the estate came into his possession. He won 
the heart and haiul of Miss Iluldah Allison, 
one of Micklletown's maidens, and the child 
of Jefferson T. and Margaret (Paul) Allison. 
Mr. Allison was a mason and farmer in ])ros- 
perous circumstances, on the stream known as 
Platter Kill. Mrs. Austin had five brothers 
— James P., William 'P., Andrew B.. Hiram 
IE, and Amos. The children of the marriage 
ol 'rheo])hilus Austin antl Miss .Allison were: 
Margaret, born December I, 1870; Deborah, 
March 19, 1873; William 'P., born March 23, 
1879; and Alfretl E., born on August 8, 
1882. 

The (dd house of his ancestors has been en- 
tirely remodelled since Mr. Theo]ihilus Aus- 
tin came into possession of it: and he has 
Iniilt a new barn, wagon-house, and other out- 
buiUlings. P'ive thousand rods of stone wall 
lately built have greatly enhanced the value 
of the farm, which has an exceptionally fine 
location, being on the I'. & D. Railroatl, 
within two miles of Margarettville, anti one 
mile distant from Arkville. Mr. Austin is 
liberal in his religious views, believing that 
Christianity is embodied in the practical ap- 
plication of the Golden Rule rather than 
in formulated theology. His wife is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist church. He is a Repub- 
lican in politics. A beautiful home, hai)i)y 
domestic relations, and the esteem of his 
contemporaries are the rewards of his well- 
spent N'cars. 




DIXCAN EAWRENCI-:, a successful 
farmer and leading citizen of Kort- 
right, where he is engaged in dairying. 
is a son of Jacob W. Eawrence, a na- 
tive of Middletown, who carried on an exten- 
sive lumber business in that town, whore he 
erected a saw-mill. Removing to .Sullivan 
County, he engaged in farming, and by unit- 
ing energy and toil became the possessor of a 



132 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



comfortable fortune. At the breaking out of 
the Civil War he enlisted in Sickies's Brigade 
in the Ninety-first New York Volunteer In- 
fantry, and died in 1862 from injuries re- 
ceived while in service. He was a Whig, 
and later a Republican. The Methodist 
Episcopal church found in him a consistent 
member. His widow, Margaret Monroe, a 
native of Scotland, and five children survived 
him. The latter are as follows: J. Duncan, 
the subject of this sketch; Jacob H., a resi- 
dent of Massachusetts; George E., a carpen- 
ter residing in Omaha, Neb.; Mary, the wife 
of William Tuttle, of Curtisville, Mass.; and 
Addison E., who also resides in Curtisville. 
Mrs. Margaret Monroe 'Lawrence is still liv- 
ing, and resides in Curtisville. 

J. Duncan Lawrence was born in Colches- 
ter, January 29, 1846, and received his educa- 
tion in Sullivan County. When fifteen years 
of age he enlisted in Company H, Fifty-sixth 
New York Volunteers, Captain William Jos- 
lyn, and saw much hard service, taking part 
in sixteen battles, among which were those of 
Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Fair Oaks. ; 
He was honorably discharged in 1865, and 
went to Andes, Delaware County, where he 
attended the Andes Collegiate Institute. He 
then spent about two years travelling through 
the States, and then settled in Binghamton, 
where he was employed as a clerk for five 
years, then engaged in buying and selling 
stock in Andes. 

October 30, 1880, Mr. Lawrence married 
Miss Kate Keator, who was born in Kingston, 
a daughter of Harvey and Elliff Keator. 
Mrs. Lawrence's father has passed away; but 
her mother still survives, and is a resident of 
Kingston. After his marriage Mr. Lawrence 
moved to Kingston, and for a year and a half 
managed the farm of his mother-in-law. In 
1882 he purchased the farm where he now re- 
sides, removing to it the following year. 
This comprises two hundred and thirty acres 
of land, with a fine residence. All the build- 
ings have been remodelled and improved; and 
a productive dairy is operated, over forty head 
of cattle being cared for on the place, Mr. 
Lawrence devoting his entire time to the man- 
agement of his farm, and being eminently 
successful. 



Mr. Lawrence is liberal in religious mat- 
ters, while his wife is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. He is a Republican, 
and is serving his second term as a member of 
the Board of Supervisors. For three years 
he was Superintendent of the Poor. Frater- 
nally, he is a member of Delaware Valley 
Lodge, No. 612, Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. He is an excellent business man, 
and interested in all matters concerning the 
welfare of the town, and has won well-de- 
served success in his chosen occupation. 




TEPHEN DECATUR EELS, one 
of the oldest native-born citizens of 
Delaware County, was born in the 
town of Walton, November 3, 1815, 
and during nearly fourscore years has watched 
the wonderful metamorphosis of an originally 
wild and wooded tract of land into fertile 
fields and blooming gardens, which yield 
abundance and to spare. In the days of his 
boyhood the surrounding country was largely 
covered with timber, through which bears, 
deer, and other wild game roamed at will, fur- 
nishing the principal meat for the pioneer 
families. 

Mr. Eels comes of distinguished English 
stock, the first of the name to locate on Amer- 
ican soil having been one John Eels, who 
emigrated from England to Dorchester, Mass., 
in 1628. To him and his wife there was 
born on June 25, 1629, a son, Samuel Eels, 
who afterward removed to Hingham, Mass., 
and on August i, 1663, married Anna, a 
daughter of the Rev. Robert Lenthal, of Wey- 
mouth, Mass. Soon after his marriage he re- 
moved from Hingham to Milford, Conn., 
where seven children were born into his 
household. The first two died in infancy. 
The third child, Samuel, was born September 
2, 1666. His first wife, Martha, died in 
1700, he subsequently marrying the Widow 
Bayard, nee Russell. Of this union there was 
one son, John Eels, who was born in 1702, 
and was baptized April 11, 1703. He re- 
ceived a liberal education, was graduated from 
Yale College in 1724, and died in New Ca- 
naan, Conn., October 15, 1785. He married 
Anna Baird ; and they became the parents of 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'33 



two children : .Anna Ixiird, born Ma)' i, 1729; 
ami J(.Tcmiah Haird, December 21, 1732. 
The hitter married Lois Benedict, a grand- 
daughter of Dr. liouton, of Norwalk, Conn., a 
French Huguenot, and a man of note. They 
had a family of ten children, the eldest of 
whom, named John, was born in New Canaan, 
Conn., November iC, 1755, and marrieil 
Anna Mead, a twin daughter of General John 
Mead, of Greenwich, Conn. General Mead 
had command of the Continental troops adja- 
cent to the ncLitral grounds between Horse 
Neck and New York: and it was on his farm 
that General Israel Putnam made his perilous 
ride down the rock\- hill and esca])ed the Tory 
light horse, so famous in Revolutionary 
history. 

John and Anna Mead Kels removed from 
New C-anaan to the town of Walton in 1785, 
and were numbered among its most honored 
and valued pioneer settlers. The\' reared the 
following children: Anna, born in New Ca- 
naan, Conn., December 20, 17S4; John J., 
born in \Valtt)n, I'"ebruary 24, 1786; Benja- 
min B., born March 8, 1788; Mead, July 3, 
1790; Samuel, March 12, 1793; Mary, May 
I, 1795; and Baird, October 10, 1797. Mead 
Eels, the father of the subject of this sketch, 
married Philena Johnson, a daughter of Dor- 
man and Rebecca (Church ) Johnson, of Ver- 
mont, and reared seven children. 

Stephen Decatur Eels received his educa- 
tion in the typical log school-house of early 
days, and on the home farm was trained to 
habits of inilustry and thrift. He learned the 
painter's trade, and for fifty-four years made 
that his principal occupation. During the 
progress of the late Civil War he enlisted in 
the One Hundred and Fort}'-fourth New York 
Volunteer Infantry, and served until the ces- 
sation of hostilities, being then discharged 
with an honorable record. 

Mr. Eels and his wifeT formerl_\- Mary Wood 
Marvin, have passed a hajip)- wedded life of 
more than half a century, ha\ing been married 
fifty-three years ago, and have occupied their 
present home forty-eight years of this time. 
Four children have blessed their union. 
John, born December 31, 1843, married Anna 
Kneer; and they are residents of this county. 
He was a volunteer in the late war, being a 



membei' of the One Hundred and I'orty-fourth 
New \'ork Volunteer Infantry, which was sta- 
tioned at Hilton Head, .S.C. ICllen M., born 
January 27, 1846, married J. O. Barlow, a 
farmer of Delaware Count)-; and they have 
three sons — William Marvin, Jose[)h, and 
John Alan — and also an adopted daughter, 
Daisy L. I'Lmma Isabel, born May 6, 1848, 
married Robert L. Eels, and died in Norwalk, 
Conn. William H., born April 16, 1853, is 
proprietor of the Walton 7'biiis, of Walton, 
Delaware County. He has been twice mar- 
ried, his first wife having been Huldah II. 
Stotldard, who died in New Haven, Conn. 
He subsequently married l^leanor Place; and 
this luiioh has been blessed by the birth of two 
children — Hamilton Chace and Martha D. 

In early life, and during the existence of 
the l-"ree .Snil party, Mr. Eels was one of its 
warmest atlherents, and cast his first Presi- 
dential vote for James G. Birney. On the 
organization of the Rejiublican party he cor- 
dially indorsed its princi]iles, and has since 
sustained them at the polls. For many years 
both he and his wife have been honored mem- 
bers of the First Congregational Church. As 
a man and citizen, his record is without spot 
or blemish; and he is held in high esteem 
throuuhout the communitv. 



ir^PAVlTT CLINTON SHARPE, one 
|:^=| "f the thriving farmers of Stamford, 
^Jwy was born in New York City, July 
19, 1S44. being a son of Alexander 
Y. and Clarissa (Palmer) .Sharpe, the former 
born in Brooklyn, March 29, 1817. and tlie 
latter in Connecticut, Januar)- 19, 1822. Tlie 
grandfather, Peter Sharpe, was a respected 
and successful business man of New York 
City. He was born in Holland, coming to 
America when comparati\'ely a voung man, 
and settling in New \'ork Cit)'. where he re- 
sided until his death. Being an early settler 
of that city, he numbered among iiis friends 
many of the substantial old Knickerbocker 
families. He carried on \-ery successfully a 
whip m.'inufactor)', owned considerable real 
estate, and at his death left a large isrojjerty. 
On the I 2th of .April, 1792, he married Chris- 
tina Notrand, who was born March 4, 1771. 



134 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Of this union there were four children, 
namely: Fanny, born January 2, i8oi; Har- 
riett, February 22, 1806; John H., December 
4, 1809; and Alexander Y., March 29, 1817. 
Of these children but one is living, Mrs. 
Whetmore, who now resides in Brooklyn, 
N.Y. Mrs. Christina Sharpe died in New 
York City in June, 1839, her husband surviv- 
ing her but a few years, and dying August 2, 
1842. 

Alexander Y. Sharpe was a life-long resi- 
dent of New York City. He inherited a 
large share of his father's estate, and passed 
the greater part of his time in travel, but 
finally located in Stamford, Conn., where he 
spent his last days. He died in the prime of 
life, when but thirty-nine years of age, on the 
14th of November, 1856. He was a Presby- 
terian in his religious views, and in politics 
a Whig. He had but one child, DeWitt 
Clinton Sharpe, the subject of this sketch. 
On September 29, 1861, Mrs. Alexander Y. 
Sharpe was again married, her second hus- 
band being Daniel Andrews, a successful 
farmer of Stamford; and they moved to the 
farm upon which Mr. Andrews was born May 
17, 181 3. Daniel Andrews was the son of 
Samuel and Elizabeth (Marriam) Andrews, 
the former of whom was born in Fairfield 
County, Conn., August 2, 1770, and the lat- 
ter in Connecticut, September 7, 1775. 
They were the parents of fourteen children, 
twelve sons and two daughters. In 1794 they 
moved to Delaware County, and settled on the 
farm now owned by Mrs. DeWitt Sharpe. 
The country around was rough and unculti- 
vated; and wild game, which is now almost a 
thing of the past, abounded. Samuel An- 
drews was a sturdy pioneer, and, nothing 
daunted by his surroundings, began to make a 
home for his family. He erected a log cabin; 
but with hard work came success, and this 
rude building was replaced by a frame house, 
which was one of the first in this town. His 
farm was a good one, and comprised a large 
tract of land located in the Delaware River 
Valley; and here he lived until his death, Oc- 
tober 10, 1838. His wife passed away Octo- 
ber 12, 1865. Of their fourteen children but 
one is now living, the youngest, Benjamin, 
who resides in Brooklyn. 



Daniel Andrews grew to manhood on the 
old farm, and was extensively engaged in 
farming all his life. He was a large land- 
owner, having had possession during his life 
of seven or eight hundred acres. Most of the 
improvements on the old place were made by 
him. He was married twice, his first wife 
being Isabella Ann McDonald, who was born 
in Kortright, December 26, 18 19. Of this 
union there were two children: Mary H., 
wife of DeWitt C. Sharpe, born June 13, 
1844; John T., born July 31, 1846, who now 
resides in New York City. Mr. Andrews's 
first wife died April 27, 1859; and in 1861 
he married Clarissa (Palmer) Sharpe, the 
mother of DeWitt C. Sharpe. There were no 
children by this union. Mr. and Mrs. An- 
drews were rnembers of the Presbyterian 
church, in which both were active workers. 
He was a Republican in politics, and inter- 
ested in the welfare of the town. For several 
years he held the office of Supervisor of Stam- 
ford. He died at the old homestead Septem- 
ber 21, 1 87 1. His wife also spent her last 
days here, and passed away January 3, 1883. 

DeWitt C. Sharpe came to Stamford with 
his mother in 1861, being then a young man 
of seventeen. For about four years he was 
engaged in mercantile business in Brooklyn, 
but in 1865 moved to Hobart, and carried on 
a general store for about seven years, when, 
closing up his business there, he moved to 
the farm where he now resides. October 6, 
1865, Mr. Sharpe married Mary H. Andrews; 
and five children have blessed their union. 
DeWitt C, born October 28, 1866, is a 
farmer in the town of Kortright. Daniel A., 
born July 15, 1869, is a telegraph operator 
and station agent in Brooklyn. Clara Belle, 
born April 3, 1871, is the widow of M. J. 
McNaught, and now resides at home. Mary 
E., born August 4, 1881, is also at home. 
John A. was born February 9, 1885. 

Mr. Sharpe is liberal in his religious 
views. Politically, he is a Republican. He 
has taken an active part in the Hobart Agri- 
cultuial Association and Horse and Cattle 
Show, has been President of the association, 
and held many of the other offices. The 
weather signal station, "Volunteer Observer 
Weather Bureau," which is located on bis 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'35 



farm, was established in iS86 under General 
Hazcn, and is nmv ennducted by Mr. Sharpe. 
The farm, which contains three huntlred and 
seventy-five acres, is beautifully located in 
the valley of the Delaware River, and is sur- 
rounded by the grand hills and mountains of 
the Catskills. It is de\'oted to general farm- 
ing and dairying, the dairy comprising 
seventy-five head. That Mr. and Mrs. Sharpe 
have been successful- in life is indicated by 
their surroundings, which i)lainly denote the 
good judgment and foresight of the owners. 



'AM1-2S .S. ADI'^M is a respecteil and 
well-to-do agriculturist, descenilant of 
a widely known pioneer famil}', and 
a fine representative of the citi/en- 
soUlier element, who so bravely served their 
country during the ilark days of the Rebellion. 
He is a native of Delaware County, having 
been born on April 14, 1836, in the town of 
Bovina, on the same farm which some years 
before had been the birthplace of his father, 
Stephen Adee. 

His grandfather, Samuel Adee, was born 
and reared in the town of Rye, Westchester 
County, N.^'., and lived there until 1790, 
when he came to this count)-, where he took 
up a tract of f(, rest-covered laiul in the t(jwn 
now called Bovina. He built a log house to 
shelter his wife and children, and entered 
upon the hard task of clearing a farm. His 
persevering toil was in due time rewarded, 
the dense wilderness giving way to a well- 
cultivated farm, on which he had erected a 
good set of frame buildings: and there he and 
his faithful wife lived until called to the 
bright w^orld beyond. 

Stephen Adee was one of eight childien 
born to his parents. He received as good an 
education as the pioneer schools of his day 
afforded, and early began to perform his full 
share of the artluous labor required in clearing 
and improving the wild land of the parental 
farm. Diligent ami faithful, he remained 
with his parents, laboring day after day in the 
pioneer work of felling trees and upturning 
the sod, and, after the death of his father, 
took possession of the old homestead. Year 
by year he added to the improvements of the 



jilace, residing there until two years [)rior to 
his decease. .Selling the old homestead to 
his son James, he at length removed to Kort- 
right Centre, where he spent his last days, 
dying there at the age of si.\ty-niiie years. 
He was twice married. His first wife, Eliza- 
beth I.iKldington, was one of a family of ten 
children, five girls and five boys, born to 
Henry and Jane (Northrupj I.uildington, of 
Bovina. Of their union six children were 
born, namely: Henry, deceased; George, a 
lawyer in Delhi; James S. ; Augustus, a resi- 
dent of Indiana, engaged in the stock busi- 
ness; Ruth, the wife of Robert McLouny, a 
farmer in .Stamford; and Mary, the wife of 
Charles Martin. The mother of these chil- 
dren passed to the higher life at the compara- 
tivly earl}' age of thirty-six )'ears. She and 
her husband were faithful members of the 
Baptist church. After her death Mr. Adee 
married Nancy Orr, of Kortright, who died on 
the old homestead, leaving no issue. 

James .S. Adee was reared on the home 
farm, ami acquired a substantial foundation 
for his education in the district school. This 
was sujiplemented by a thorough course of 
study at the Delhi Academy, after which he 
taught two terms in the district schools at 
Kortright and Bcjvina. He then formed a 
partnership with James I'Hliott, and entered 
into business in Bovina Centre, opening a 
store for general merchandise. They con- 
ducted a flourishing trade for four years, when 
Mr. Adee sold out his interest in the concern 
to his partner. The late Civil War was then 
in progress, and Mr. Adee took stejis to place 
himself among the brave men who were going 
forth to fight for the defence of the country's 
flag. He enlisted in September, 1862, as a 
private in Company E, One Hundred anil 
Forty-fourth New York \'olunteer Infantry, 
and did faithful service until receiving his 
honorable discharge, July 15, 1S65. He was 
an active participant in man_\- skirmishes and 
in some of the most decisive battles of the 
war, anil for gallant and nieritorious conduct 
was promoted first to the rank of Sergeant, 
theii to Order!)-, or First Sergeant, and 
finally to the First Eieutenancy, which rank 
he held at the time of his discharge. 

Returning to civil life, he settled in Bo- 



'36 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



vina, and the following year, 1866, bought 
his father's farm, which he carried on most 
successfully until 1880, improving the land 
and erecting new buildings, greatly increas- 
ing the value of the estate. In 1880 Mr. 
Adee moved to the farm of his father-in-law 
in Kortright, where he remained until the 
purchase of the estate on which he now re- 
sides. This farm contains three hundred 
acres of rich and fertile land, beautifully lo- 
cated on the river road, about four and one- 
half miles from Delhi. Mr. Adee devotes a 
good share of his attention to his dairy, keep- 
ing fifty-six cows and about thirty head of 
young stock, and in this branch of industry 
meets with rich returns. 

In 1866 Mr. Adee married Mary E. Wet- 
more, one of the three children of S. S. D. 
Wetmore and Rebecca A. (Jacobs) Wetmore. 
Mr. Wetmore was formerly engaged in farm- 
ing in the town of Kortright, but recently 
sold his farm to his son-in-law, W. O. Hill. 
The pleasant wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. 
Adee was blessed by the birth of three chil- 
dren — James W., Lucia, and Ferris. In the 
chill November days of 1891 the home of this 
family was saddened by a great bereavement, 
the loving wife and tender mother being then 
called to the "life immortal." The domestic 
cares and duties now rest upon Miss Lucia, 
the daughter, who has become presiding gen- 
ius of the household. Both she and her 
father are members of the Presbyterian 
church, and are active participants in all 
charitable works connected with that organ- 
ization. Politically, Mr. Adee is a strong 
Republican, and is a member of Flngland 
Post, No. 142, Grand Army of the Republic. 




((JBKRT !•:. OLIVER was born Janu- 
ary 12, i860, on the farm upon which 
he now resides. Both his father 
and grandfather were natives of 
Perthshire, Scotland, from which place the 
grandfather emigrated to America with his 
family in 1830. They took passage in a sail- 
ing-vessel, and were seven weeks in making 
the voyage. Thomas Oliver, the emigrant, 
settled in Meredith, Delaware County, where 
he spent the remainder of his life. 



His son William, who was a boy of nine 
when he was brought to this country, became 
a clerk in a general store when he was old. 
enough to earn his living, and was so indus- 
trious and economical that he was soon able 
to buy an interest in the establishment, and 
become a partner of his employer, Mr. Rich. 
Some years later he sold out and engaged in 
business at Delhi with a Mr. Elwood. De- 
ciding at length to engage in agricultural 
life, he again sold his mercantile interests, 
and purchased a tract of land in the town of 
Tompkins, where he lived until his death. 
Only five acres of land were in culti\'ation ; 
but William Oliver possessed both energy and 
judgment, and he soon added to his posses- 
sions, and left at his death, July 11, 1876, a 
farm of four hundred acres, two hundred of 
which were in an improved condition. Will- 
iam Oliver married Harriet Parsons, of 
Franklin, a daughter of Simeon and Rebecca 
Parsons. There were eight children born of 
this union, six of whom are still living. 

Robert K. Oliver was a lad of sixteen when 
his father died; and he worked with his 
brothers until 1885, when he undertook the 
management of the place alone. He is exten- 
sively engaged in dairy farming, and owns a 
dairy supplied with all the modern improve- 
ments. In 1890 he married Miss Susie M. 
Gregory, of Tompkins; and they are the par- 
ents of two children — Mary and Mabel. Mr. 
and Mrs. Oliver are members of the Presbyte- 
rian church. 

Mrs. Oliver belongs to a family whose 
record is worthy of more than a passing note. 
One of her ancestors, who was among the ear- 
liest settlers of this part of New York, came 
from New England in 1775, and selecteil a 
tract of land upon which he intended to set- 
tle; but the hostility of the Indians in the 
vicinity made it unsafe to remain. He ac- 
cordingly burned his stacks of grain; and 
then, taking his wife on horseback behind 
him, he journeyed back to New England. 
He enlisted and served throughout the Revo- 
lutionary War, and, after the establishment of 
the American republic, returned to his forest 
possessions in New York, which he cleared 
and improved, and from which a home was 
gradually evolved. Here he lived until his 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'37 



death. Mcr i;rcat-!;raii(lfalhcr, being raised 
up as a farmer, naturally followed the lead of 
early training, and purehaseil a tract of land 
in what is now known as Gregorytown, where 
he passed the residue of his life. He married 
a Miss Sally Fuller. The grandfather of 
Mrs. Oliver, josiah Gregory, removed to 
Tompkins in 1840. and remained there. Mis 
wife was X'iletty Sutton, the daughter of a 
lumber dealer and farmer. The mother of 
Mrs. Oliver was Mary I-"isher, a daughter of 
Frederick and VAiza Fisher. 



M.L.ACK H. GLICASOX, who is 
pros])erously engaged in the Hour 




and feed business with Charles E. 
a sketch of wdiose life appears on an- 
page of this work, is a representative 
citizen of Delhi, and intimatel}' identified 
with its industrial interests. He is a native 
of the town, and first saw the light of this 
w^orld on March 14, 1S59. He is of stanch 
New F,ngland ancestry, his grandfather, Will- 
iam Gleason, having been a native of Connect- 
icut and a descendant of a well-known and 
honored family of that State. After spending 
the days of his early manhood in the town in 
which he was born. William Gleason came to 
Delaware County, being aniong its earliest 
settlers, arriving here in 1S02, and, buying a 
tract of unimproved land in the town of Rox- 
bury, there continued the occupation to which 
he had been reared. By unwearied and skil- 
ful labor he cleared a good homestead from 
the forest, and remained one of Roxbury's 
most respected citizens until his death in 
1 861. He reared a family of eight children, 
one of whom was a son, also named William. 
William Gleason, jr., was born in Mores- 
ville, now Grand Gorge, in the town of Ro.\- 
bury, and until the age of twenty-one years 
remained a member of the parental household. 
He attended the district schools, and fitted 
himself for a teacher by ]jrivate study, in 
which he obtained a knowledge of the higher 
branches of education. For some time he was 
engaged in teaching school, and later studied 
law in the office of Judge Munson at Hobart. 
in the town of Stamford, remaining with him 
until admitted to the bar in 1843. He began 



the practice of his profession in Hobart, con- 
tinuing there seven years, when lie came to 
Delhi. Here he engaged in the active prac- 
tice of law until he was elected a member of 
the State Assembly in the year 1850. After 
serving one term he was made .Surrogate and 
County Judge, an ofifice whicli he so ably and 
faithfully filled that after the exjiiration of his 
term of service, in 1859, he was re-elected for 
another term. iXu'ing the ]jrogress of the 
late Rebellion Judge Gleason was Commis- 
sioner of the drafts for the United States ser- 
vice. His eminent legal qualifications were 
lecognized throughout the county: and, hav- 
ing built up a lucrative |)ractice, he continued 
in active work until 1890, when he retired, 
ha\ing in his honored career by his own un- 
aided efforts amassed a competency. In his 
home life he was a most affectionate and 
tender husband and an indulgent father, 
revered bv his children. 

On Mav 9, 1894, after a lingering illness 
of sixteen weeks, Judge Gleason, at the age of 
seventv-six years, passetl beyond the confines 
of earth. His death was deemed a ])ublic 
calamit\'; and at a meeting of the Dehnvare 
County bar, held at the court-house in the 
village (if Delhi, May 10, 1894. W. II. John- 
son, Fsc]., upon taking the chair, paid an elo- 
cjuent tribute to his many virtues and great 
intellectual attainments, George Adee. I'".sc|.. 
gave a graphic and interesting biographical 
account of the Judge, Arthur More, Fsq., 
spoke feelinglv of the great assistance which 
he had in his youth received from the wise 
counsel anil friendly advice of Judge Gleason. 
Alexander Cummings, Esq., spoke of his un- 
swerving integrity and unwavering fidelity to 
his clients, and J. A. Kemp, I".s(|., and C. L. 
Andrus, Esq., spoke in behalf of the younger 
members of the bar. Resolutions in honor of 
the memory of Judge Gleason were subse- 
quently prepared, of which the following is a 
copv : - 

••'(^n the ninth day of .May, 1894, Judge 
William Gleason passed from among us. His 
familiar face we shall never again see, except 
as we look upon it in the stillness of death. 
His busy life is ended, and all that is left of 
him for us is a memory. But that memory, 
thanks to the natural gifts with which God 



138 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



endowed him, and his own industry, persever- 
ance, integrity, and upright life, is to all of 
us a most kindly recollection. His work is 
ended, but his character for good has left its 
impress on all our minds. He will be re- 
membered and honored as a most able lawyer, 
sound jurist, and conscientious citizen. His 
habits, morality, industry, and integrity gave 
to him the proud distinction of being one of 
the leaders of the Delaware County Bar. The 
world is better for Judge Gleason's }ears and 
life. The present generation of young men 
in and out of the legal profession may learn 
from his life and character a lesson of incal- 
culable value. They should study and con- 
template the lesson of his life. In honor of 
our deceased brother we desire that this ex- 
pression of the sentiments of the bar of Dela- 
ware County be ordered placed upon the re- 
cords of the court. Abram C. Crosby, George 
Adee, Arthur More, Committee of the Bar." 

The wife of Judge Gleason, formerly Caro- 
line Blanchard, was one of four children 
born to John Blanchard, of Meredith. Mr. 
Blanchard subsequent!)" removed to Delhi, and, 
forming a partnership with Charles E. Kiff, 
became one of its most successful merchants. 
Mrs. Gleason, who still occupies the home- 
stead, reared three children born of her union 
with Judge Gleason — John B., Wallace B., 
and La Fayette B. 

Wallace B. Gleason, second son of Judge 
Gleason, received a substantial foundation for 
his education in the district schools of his 
native village; and this instruction was sup- 
plemented by a course of study at the Dela- 
ware Academy. After leaving school, Mr. 
Gleason read law for a while with his father; 
but, being desirous of entering upon a mer- 
cantile career, he formed a partnership with 
Charles E. Kiff in 1882, and, establishing a 
flour, feed, and general grain business, has 
since built up an extensive and lucrative 
trade. 

The most important event in the life of Mr. 
Gleason was his marriage with Miss Maggie 
Fletcher, the daughter of William Fletcher, 
a blacksmith of Delhi, and a native of Scot- 
land, and of whom a sketch may be found on 
another page. Their nuptials were celebrated 
August 22, 1883; and their pleasant home 



circle has been brightened by the birth of 
two children — Caroline Louise and Donald 
William. In i)olitics Mr. Gleason afifiliates 
with the Democratic j^arty, and takes an intel- 
ligent interest in whatever is for the general 
good of the community. Religiously, he at- 
tends the Presbyterian church, of which his 
wife and mother are devout members. 



'|n\R. EDGAR B. LAKE, a talented 

|^=i young physician of Meredith Hol- 
^ J^J low, was born at Cherry Valley, Ot- 
sego County, N.Y., March 4, 1864, 
a son of Thomas and Louisa (Wood) Lake. 
His grandfather, Joel W'ood, was a native of 
Connecticut, coming to Otsego County when 
a young man. He purchased a tract of land, 
which he cleared, and followed the occupation 
of a farmer. He w^as the father of five chil- 
dren ; namely, Joel, Henry, Jehial, Elizabeth 
Ann, and Thomas. 

Thomas Lake w^as brought up to farming 
pursuits, residing at home until he was 
twenty-five, when he rented a farm for a time, 
afterward purchasing one in Jefferson County, 
where he lived for several years. Some years 
ago he moved to Schenevus, where he is now 
living retired. Mr. Lake married Louisa 
Wood, a daughter of John Wood, of Jefferson 
County, who was of Quaker ancestry. Of 
this union the following children were born: 
Frank, Edgar B., Merritt, Elmer, and Adel- 
bert. 

Edgar B. Lake spent his early years on his 
father's farm, receiving an education at the 
district and normal schools. He afterward 
taught school for three terms at Milford and 
Cartersville. For one year he read medicine 
with Dr. Manchester, of Oneonta, and then 
entered the l^niversity of New York City, 
whence he was graduated with high honors in 
the class of 188S. After graduation he prac- 
tised for two years at Marion, Ohio, but left 
there on account of his wife's health, locating 
at Meredith, and has to-day a large and lucra- 
tive practice. 

Dr. Lake was married August 15, i8go, to 
Miss Mollie J. Taylor, a daughter of Arthur 
Taylor, a shoe dealer of Cardington, Ohio. 
Dr. and Mrs. Lake have one living child, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



1^0 



Eva B. Mabel died in infancy. Dr. Lake is 
a member of the Delaware County Medical 
Society, also of the Patriotic Order of the 
Sons of America. He is an attendant of the 
Methodist church, of which Mrs. Lake is a 
member. Dr. Lake is Postmaster of Meri- 
dale, formerly Meredith Llollow, receivint^ 
the appointment under the Cleveland adminis- 
tration, and his wife occupying the position of 
Deputy. He is also. Health Officer of Mere- 
dith. For several months he has studied 
under Dr. Swinburn, the celebrated specialist, 
thereby adding to his already large fund of 
medical knowleilge. 



~-YPN0RT1-;R G. XORTIIUP is a success- 
11*^' ful agriculturist and life-long resi- 
jig dent of Franklin. Delaware County, 
N.\'. His father, William Northup, 
was a native of Rhode Island, but when very 
young was brought by his parents to Franklin, 
where he later engaged in farming. He mar- 
ried Amantla Foote, a daughter of Jairus 
Foote, whose wife was a Miss Wilson; and 
they became the parents of eight children. 
One daughter, Martha Northup, was educated 
in the district school, but tor many years 
suffered from ill health. September 8, i886, 
she married Mahlon Rowell, who was born in 
Walton, January 6, 1857, a son of Alvah and 
Sarah (Wakeman) Rowell. Alvah Rowell 
was born in Fairfield County, Connecticut, in 
May, 1803, and became a successful teacher 
and prosperous farmer. He died of heart dis- 
ease, April 3, 1869, his widow living to reach 
her seventy-eighth year, and passing away 
September 16, 1881, leaving five children, 
namely: Helen M., widow of Isaac Elderkin; 
Mahlon; Charles D., a farmer in Franklin; 
Julia Ann, wife of Robert Woodburn, of 
Addison, N.Y.; Edward P., a teacher, re- 
siding in California. Mahlon Rowell was 
reared on bis father's farm, but, being in 
delicate health, receiveel only a limited educa- 
tion. LIntil his marriage to Miss Northup he 
lived on the old farm with his sister, but now 
owns a small place of thirty-one acres near 
l^ast Handsome Brook. His has been a 
quiet, uneventful life, passed in peace and 
happiness in the country, where the excite- 



ment and noise of the l)ustling city never 
jienetrate. It is a remarkable fact that Mr. 
Rowell has never ridden in a public convey- 
ance or attended a circus. He is a Republi- 
can, although never an office-holder, and 
religiously is a member of the Congregational 
church. 

Porter G. Northup was born in l-'ranklin, 
April 24, 1829, and attended the district school 
and academy of that town. When seventeen 
years of age, he determined to start out in the 
world for himself, and accordingly accepted 
a position as travelling salesman for a firm 
dealing in jewelry and silver, which position 
he occupieil for several years. Ajiril 31, 
1850, he married Miss M. Mary Chamberlin, 
daughter of Deacon David Chamberlin; and 
the newly married couple began life on Mr. 
Northui)"s farm of two hundred acres. This 
he sold in 1866, and bought another, compris- 
ing one hundred and thirty acres, which they 
occupied until 1888, then rented it. Mr. and 
Mrs. Northup have lost one son, Louis, who 
died at the age of six years; but one daugh- 
ter, Mary Augusta, is still spared to them. 
She graduated at the Delaware Literary Insti- 
tute, and taught for several terms. She is 
now the wife of William D. Ogden. 

.Mr. Northup was a member of the Republi- 
can party until 1873, when he espou.sed the 
cause of the I'rohibitionists, representing this 
party in the State Convention in 1876, and 
being the only Prohibitionist in the county at 
that time. He is familiarly known as tiie 
"Prohibition War Horse." so ardent is he in 
the work uf his political jilatform. He held 
the office of Highway Commissioner under a 
Repul)lican administration, and has been a 
candidate for Supervisor, Assemblyman, and 
Congressman on the Prohibition ticket. For 
manv years he has been intensely interested 
in ail matters pertaining to agriculture, being 
President of the Agricultural Association for 
two years, and serving as its Secretary for a 
long period. He has taken jirizes to the 
value of five hundred dollars on his choice 
sheep, cattle, horses, and farm produce at the 
different fairs. 

'Sir. Northup's parents were Congregation- 
alists; but he joined the Baptist church, and 
for many years was a leading member of this 



140 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



society, from which he resigned, August 8, 
1879, at a public meeting, claiming as a rea- 
son for his resignation that the church was en- 
couraging the licjuor traffic At present he is 
not a church member, but gives proof of his 
strong convictions in upright, honest living, 
true to his conscience and his country's 
welfare. 




ILLIAM HENRY WOOD, a wealthy 
farmer in P'ranklin, was born in 
this town, March 8, 1834, during 
the second Presidency of General Jackson. 
His grandfather was John Wood, who died 
while Charles, William's father, was a small 
boy. John came from Ireland, settled in Bos- 
ton, and fought in the Revolution. His wife 
was Mary Sarles; but what became of his four 
brothers, who immigrated at the same time 
with himself, nothing is now known by this 
branch of the Wood family. Charles Wood 
was born in 1804, just thirty years earlier 
than his son William, in Tompkins; but he 
died in Franklin, November 22, 1893. He 
married Eliza Wheat, daughter of a sea cap- 
tain, William Wheat, and his wife, Mary 
Bolles. The Wheat family was of Welsh de- 
scent. Eliza and Charles were married in 
September, 1S31; and they had three boys 
and a girl. The third son, Charles, named for 
his father, died at the early age of eleven. 
Rufus Sylvester Wood is a retired farmer, liv- 
ing in Franklin, at the age of sixty-two. The 
second son is the subject of this sketch. 
Their sister Jane married D. Colby Dibble, a 
farmer now in Dakota County, Nebraska. 
The mother of these children died in 1883, 
aged seventy-two, and rests beside her husband 
in the Ouleout cemetery. William Henry 
Wood grew up on the farm, and went to the 
district school and to the academy in Frank- 
lin. His father was by trade a blacksmith. 
The homestead was on an estate of one hun- 
dred and thirty-four acres, not far south-east 
of the village of Franklin. William Wood 
was married October 23, 1855, to Sarah Jane 
Abell, daughter of Emery Abell, of Franklin, 
and Ruth Northway Abell, both natives of 
Massachusetts. They came to Delaware 
County in 1824. Mrs. Sarah J. Wood has 



two brothers and two sisters, all living. Her 
father died February 10, 1884, aged seventy, 
and her mother a year earlier, on January 28, 
1883, aged sixty-seven; and both these deaths 
occurred in the present home of their daughter 
Sarah, where they had lived during tweh'e 
years after Mr. Abell's retirement from active 
life. In 1856 Mr. and Mrs. William Henry 
Wood went West, as far as Jackson County, 
Iowa, where they remained eighteen months, 
thereafter removing to Dakota County, Ne- 
braska, where they took a farm of one hundred 
and twenty acres. Always an agriculturist, 
and believing thoroughly in land-ownership, 
Mr. Wood now has six farms, aggregating in 
all fourteen hundred acres, to which he gives 
his attention. He is the father of two chil- 
dren now living. Stella Wood married L. W. 
White, land and loan agent in Woodbine, 
Iowa, and has three children. Frederick 
Abell Wood is just finishing his education 
at Hamilton College. The parents have lost 
three other children. Charles Emory Wood, 
named for his grandfathers, died in boyhood, 
aged fourteen months, while the parents were 
in Iowa. Nellie Wood died when only 
twenty-two months old, in Franklin. George 
F. Wood, a brilliant and promising scholar, a 
fluent speaker, and a graduate of Hamilton 
College, had completed his first year in the 
Union Theological Seminary, New York City, 
when he was called to give up his young life 
at the early age of twenty-six. 

In religious belief the father is a Baptist 
and the mother a Methodist; but they agree 
in practical religion, adopting the sentiments 
of the immortal Washington: "Of all the 
dispositions and habits which lead to political 
prosperity, religion and morality are indis- 
pensable supports. In vain could that man 
claim the tribute of patriotism who should 
labor to subvert those pillars of human happi- 
ness, those firmest props of the duties of men 
and citizens." 



lALVIN MiALEISTER is a well- 
known and highly respected resident 
of Walton, and a man who has 
always, since he settled in this 
town, been closely connected with local 




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' 



CflLYIN Mc fiLLISTER. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



141 



affairs, and especially with all religious mat- 
ters. He was born in New York City, Octo- 
ber 22, 1844. Mis father, David McAllister, 
was born in iSoo, in the north of Ireland, 
where he grew to manhood, and was married 
to Mary Scott Enrouth. Not long after that 
event he embarked with his wife in a sailing- 
vessel, and after a long, tedious voyage ar- 
rived in this country. Me engaged in the dr\'- 
goods business in New York City, where they 
lived for twenty 3'ears, and then removed from 
the metropolis to Ik'thcl, Sullivan County. 
A short time ])rior to his death he made his 
residence in Newburg, Orange County, on 
the Hudson. He died about 1870, leaving 
his widow with eight children, five sons and 
three daughters, of whom Calvin was the 
seventh chikl. Mrs. McAllister dietl in 
Newburg, in 1887, at eighty-three years of 
age. They were members of the Reformed 
Presbyterian church, of which Mr. McAllister 
was an Elder. Their bodies rest in the ceme- 
tery at Coldenham, Orange County. 

At the age of nineteen, after finishing his 
education in the district schools, Calvin Mc- 
Allister volunteered in the service of his 
country, and went to the front in Companv 
G, Second Reginnmt, New York \"olunteer 
Rifles, and was in the Army of the Potomac 
during the campaign at Spottsylvania, North 
Anna River, Cold Harbor, and at Petersburg, 
Va. At the latter place he received a gun- 
shot wound in the left elbow. He went to 
the field hos]iital, and then by transport to 
Alexandria. Here he suffered from severe 
mortification of his wound, which at one time 
appeared so serious that he was given a leave 
of absence; and he came North to his father's, 
where he could receive treatment amid the 
comforts of home, and the kind ministrations 
of friends and kindred. A council of physi- 
cians was held, and decided that amputation 
was necessary. Dr. Apply, surgeon of the 
New York & Erie Railroad, was called; and 
through his excellent skill Mr. McAllister 
escaped all the discomforts of an operation 
and the loss of his arm, coming out of the 
crisis in good condition. 

In 1867 Mr. McAllister married Maria, 
daughter of D. G. and Jane (Chambers) Mc- 
Donald, of Walton. Mrs. McAllister died 



after one year of married life, leaving an infant 
who lived but three months after its mother's 
death. Mr. McAllister was again married 
June 13, 1S70, to Mary Cowan, daughter of 
William and IClizabelh A. (McCullough; 
Cowan. Mrs. Cowan was a native of New- 
burg, wliile Mr. Cowan was born in New 
York City. ^Ir. and Mrs. Cowan were mar- 
ried in New York in 1836. and continued 
living in that city for seven years, when they 
moved to York, Livingston County, where 
they carried on agricultural pursuits until the 
death of Mr. Cowan in 1870, in his sixty-scc- 
ontl year. His witlow, now in her eighty-first 
year, is with her daughter in Walton, and 
although feeble in body is still vigorous in 
mind, and interested in all the affairs of the 
day. Her one living son, Moses, is a farmer 
in Livingston; and another son, William, 
tlied from an accident when but eleven years 
old. 

Mrs. McAllister studied at Ingham L'ni- 
versity, Le Roy, N.Y., and before her mar- 
riage engaged in teaching. A deeji sorrow 
came to the family in the loss of the eldest 
daughter while still an infant, and great was 
the joy of the father and mother when two 
other childien came to bk'ss their home. 
The eldest of these is Anna \'ida, who is now 
a Sophomore at Welleslev College, Wellesley, 
Mass. The other child i's David C. McAllis- 
ter, who has just graduated, in 1894, from the 
Walton High School, and although but six- 
teen years of age bore off the highest honors, 
being valedictorian of his class. He is now 
a Freshman in Amherst College, .Andicrst, 
Mass. 

Since Mr. McAllister came to Walton, in 
1874, he has been engaged in the proiluce busi- 
ness, esiK'cially in buying butter and shipping 
it to Eastern markets, and has established a 
flourishing trade, which is rapidly growing to 
large proportions. In ])olitics he is a firm 
adherent of the Rejiublicaii jiarty. In the 
Congregationalist church both Mr. McAllister 
and his wife are valuable workers, he having 
been superintendent of the Sunday-school 
connected with that church for the past four 
years. He is a clear-headed, high-])rincipled 
man, of strong personal itv and wide-reaching 
influence. 



142 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



T^APTAIN WILLIAM SMITH, a well- 
I \y known resident of Tompkins, who 

^^"U earned his shoulder-straps by bravely 

battling for the L'nion in the late 
war, has passed through varied experiences, 
meeting with thrilling adventures; and the 
story of his life is most interesting. His 
great-grandfather Smith was one of the famous 
"Green Mountain Boys" who fought for free- 
dom under Ethan Allen in the Revolution. 
He was an extensive land-owner, and gave to 
each of his five sons, as they attained succes- 
sively their majority, a large farm. His last 
days were passed in Wardsboro, Vt., of which 
town the family w-ere pioneers. 

Richard Smith was born in Massachusetts, 
and moved with his parents to Vermont, where 
he was a prosperous farmer. He died there at 
an advanced age, in 1863. Many exciting 
stories of Revolutionary times, gleaned from 
his father, he in turn told to his son and 
grandson. Mason Smith, son of Richard, was 
born in Windham, Vt., but, when a young 
man, renijDved to Delaware County, New 
York, and purchased land in Masonville, 
which he proceeded to clear, and there erected 
a log house, being employed in the saw- 
mills in the winter. He married Caroline 
Reynolds, of Masonville; and they were 
the parents of six children — Mary, Henry 
M., Winchester, William, Stillman, and 
Charles. Mason Smith was killed at the 
age of forty-five by a fall from a building in 
Masonville. His wife survived him a number 
of years. 

William, son of Mason and Caroline (Rey- 
nolds) Smith, was born in Masonville, Janu- 
ary 31, 1843, and passed his boyhood in 
Vermont, being educated in the town of 
Wardsboro in that State, and afterward at- 
tending the normal school in Geneseo, 111. 
He started out in life on board the whaler, 
"Homer," of Fairhaven, Mass., and sailed to 
the coast of Morocco, where they were ship- 
wrecked. The natives being hostile, they 
were obliged to watch day and night, and 
twice fought them for their lives. The na- 
tives endeavored to smother them by closing 
the only opening for air in the hut, but were 
repulsed; and after five days a small boat was 
sighted. This proved to be commanded by a : 



Portuguese, and manned by a crew of negroes, 
one of whom was left on board while the 
others landed. Mr. Smith and his compan- 
ions lay in hiding until the sailors of the 
small boat had made their way inland, and 
then swam out and captured their prize, tak- 
ing prisoner the only man on board, whom 
they bound and took ashore. Gathering to- 
gether their possessions, they put out to sea, 
and after five days sighted one of the South 
Azores Islands, where they landed, and were 
most kindly received by the American consul. 
Mr. Smith then shipped on the American 
brigantine, "Candace," of Boston, engaged in 
the smuggling of tobacco into Portugal, and, 
after many exciting adventures, returned to 
Boston on her, arriving there in September, 
i860. He then shipped for the winter on a 
coaster, after which he returned to Mason- 
ville, having been absent for two years, and 
found his mother mourning him as lost, the 
wreck of his vessel having been reported by a 
homeward-bound ship which saw her driving 
on to the rocks, but was unable to render 
assistance. 

In March, 1862, Mr 



Smith enlisted 



in the 

Eighth V^ermont Infantry, and went South 
with General Butler, participating in the tak- 
ing of Fort Jackson, Fort St. Philip, New 
Orleans, and Baton Rouge. In the fall of 
1862 he was detailed as Drillmaster, and in 
September was promoted by General Butler to 
the office of First Lieutenant. After raising 
the Union troops of Louisiana, he was made 
First Lieutenant of Company A, Second Reg- 
iment of that State, and, for bravery in action, 
twenty days later was promoted to the office of 
Captain, and assigned to Company H of the 
same regiment. He was present at the siege 
of Port Hudson, and participated with his 
regiment in all the fighting that followed, 
taking an active part in thirty-one battles, 
besides several skirmishes, and following 
General Banks on his Red River expedition. 
In 1864 he resigned his commission, and went 
to Illinois, three months later enlisting in the 
Ninth Illinois Cavalry from the town of Gen- 
eseo for one year. He was discharged July i, 
1865, having been present at the battle of 
Nashville and in many skirmishes. After the 
war closed. Captain Smith engaged in farming 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'43 



for fourteen years in Clayton, Bay County, 
Mich., of which town ho was Supervisor from 
the village of Mapleridge for twelve succes- 
sive years, also Commissioner of Highways, 
Superintendent Pulilic Schools, and Justice of 
the Peace. Mis health failing, he removed to 
the State of Delaware, and was employed in 
building electric railways, being foreman in 
the building of several large lines. lught 
years later he returned to New York State, 
and settled on the farm where he now resides, 
very near his birthplace, having been absent 
twenty-three years. 

September 20, 1866, Captain Smith married 
Sarah A. Scott, daughter of David and Cla- 
rissa (Eggliston) Scott, of Tompkins; and 
they had seven children: Mlmer E., who died 
when ten months old; Clara E. ; Rosa A.; 
Lela Irene, who died at the age of two and 
one-half years; Lulu May; Lena Maud: and 
Walter S., who died at nine months oUl. 
Captain Smith and his wife are members of 
the Kingswood Methodist Episcopal Church 
of Wilmington, Del., and are most profoundly- 
esteemed wherever thev are known. 



'rank MELVILLE ANDRUS, one of 
the leading law-yers of the town of 
Roxbury, Delaware County, where he 
was born on the 8th of February, 1861, is of 
English descent, and seems to have inherited 
the traits of sagacity, thrift, and industry that 
have through successive generations distin- 
guished the Andrus family. He is the son of 
Daniel D. and Catherine N. (Stratton) An- 
drus, and the grandson of Daniel D. and Polly 
D. (Demmon) Andrus, both of English par- 
entage. Daniel Andrus, the grandfather, a 
native of Albany County, where he was born 
.March 26, 1786, came to Meeker Hollow, and 
settled upon a tract of land covering an area 
of one hundred and thirty acres. Later in 
life he moved to \'ictor, Ontario County, tak- 
ing his family with him, and established him- 
self there as a drover. In the fiftieth year of 
his age, while on a business trip in the east- 
ern part of the State, he was taken ill, and 
died on the 20th of July, 1836, leaving a 
wife, who did not long survive him, and 
eleven children, who were born in the follow- 



ing order: Joseph D., born November 19, 
1808; Alonzo R., March 19, 1810; Laura L., 
May 28, 1812; Justice D., August 8, 1814; 
Anna, August 29, 1816; Catherine, July 30, 
1818; Polly D., September 10, 1S20; Ikazil, 
February 10, 1823; Maranda D., October 20, 
1828; Daniel D., December 2, 1831 ; and 
Anna C, April 2, 1833. 

Daniel D., the youngest son, was sent back 
to Delaware County at the age of five years, 
where he grew to manhood under the guidance 
and supervision of Mr. Ira Hicks. He was 
educated in the district school, and for some 
time was a clerk in Mr. Hicks's store, but 
finally embarked in the cattle business, inher- 
iting an aptitude in that line from his father, 
and jHoving himself equally successful. He 
married Kate N. Stratton, who was born 
March 17, 1839, a daughter of Lewis and Jane 
(Lockwood) Stratton. The grandfather of 
Mrs. Kate Andrus was one of the early set- 
tlers of that locality so famous for its beauty, 
and known as the Stratton Falls. Daniel 
Andrus was a Democrat in politi(|^, and held 
the offices of Assessor, Supervisor, and Jus- 
tice of the Peace. Socially, he was a member 
of Cceur de Lion Lodge. 

P'rank Melville Andrus attended the dis- 
trict school of Delaware County, and after- 
ward went to Stamford, N.V'., where he 
pursued more advanced studies. He finally 
apjilied himself to the study of law, and, after 
reading with Mr. Henry C. Soop, was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1885, since which time 
he has practised his profession, in partnership 
with his former tutor, Mr. Sooji. 

Mr. Andrus married Nellie K. Pierce, 
daughter of Roderick and Olive A. (Peck) 
Pierce; and their union has been l)lesscd with 
one child, Olive E. In his political convic- 
tions Mr. Andrus is a Democrat, and in his 
religious views liberal. He is a member of 
the Masonic fraternit)-, ami is Past Master of 
Cceur de Lion Lodsje. 



RUMAN GUILD may properly be 
classed among the most prosperous 
business men of Walton, Delaware 
County, N.V., where he is senior member of 
the firm of T. Guild & Son, druggists. Mr, 



144 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Guild is purely American, his grandfather, 
Jeremiah Guild, having been born in Warren, 
Conn., September 4, 1746, in which town he 
also died in 1822. His mother, who was 
early left a widow, passed away in 1792, at 
the age of seventy-two years. 

Jeremiah Guild was a navigator, who fol- 
lowed the sea for many years, experiencing 
the marvellous escapes and exciting advent- 
ures of a sailor's life. During one voyage 
his vessel was seized by the British, and he 
and his brother were taken prisoners and car- 
ried to Halifax. After their release he re- 
turned to Middletown, Conn., and later re- 
moved to Warren, where he engaged in the 
charcoal trade in connection with the iron 
works of that place. Mr. Guild was a mem- 
ber of Trinity Parish, and was most influen- 
tial in the building of the church. 

Mr. Guild married Miss Hannah Hale, of 
Middlefield, who became the mother of nine 
children, five of whom were sons: Timothy; 
Gael; Albon; Everett, the father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch; and Jeremiah. When but 
forty-four years old, this tender, loving mother 
was taken away; and September 2, 1800, the 
husband was again married, to Miss Lucinda 
F. Eaton, who was born in Coventry in 1768, 
and lived to reach her eighty-first year. Five 
children were the issue of this second mar- 
riage, all of whom have passed away: Lu- 
cinda: Frederick, a soldier of the late war; 
Sophrona: Truman; and Anna Maria. 

Everett, son of Jeremiah and Hannah 
(Hale) (iuild, was born in Warren in 1773, 
and died in Walton in 1849. C)" May 5, 
1810, he married Miss Hannah Perkins, of 
Massachusetts, who was born August 31, 
1775, and died November 27, 1850. -Soon 
after their marriage they settled in Walton, 
N.Y., where Mr. Guild gave his attention to 
the manufacture of harnesses and saddlery. 
Like his father, he was a member of the Epis- 
copal church, and in politics a Democrat. 
He and his wife were parents of nine chil- 
dren, namely: Everett; Lyman; Delia; Emily; 
lulwin; Truman; Marshall; Emma; and Ed- 
ward, who died in infancy. Only two, Mar- 
shall and Truman, arc still living. Everett 
E. was a Universalist minister in Bingham- 
ton, where he died when seventy-six years 



old, leaving one daughter. Edwin was a 
prominent merchant of Walton, where he 
died, aged sixty-four, in 1 884, mourned by a 
widow and one son. Delia became the wife 
of Gabriel Hoyt, of Walton, in which town 
she passed away in 1892, being seventy-five 
years old and the mother of eight children. 
Lyman, a harness-maker, was born in Walton 
in 181 3, and died at his birthplace in the 
prime of life. Emily, who was born in 18 17, 
married B. F. Griswold, and died in Atlantic 
City in the fall of 1892, leaving one son. 

Truman Guild was born in Walton, Sep- 
tember I, 1825, and, like most of his 
brothers, learned the harness-maker's trade 
from his father. In 1849, on the fifth day of 
September, he was married to Miss Elizabeth 
Keen, daughter of George M. and Matilda 
(Saybolt) Keen. The Keens were natives of 
Orange County, where Mr. Keen was em- 
ployed as a stone-mason. They were the par- 
ents of nine children, and lived to a good old 
age, Mr. Keen dying in Prompton in 1865, 
aged eighty-one, and ^Irs. Keen living till 
her ninety-sixth year, when she died, Decem- 
ber 23, 1871. Oi these children the follow- 
ing are now living: Mary Jane, widow of 
William F. Wood, a livery man, of St. Jo- 
seph, Mo. ; Abigail M., wife of W. T. Palmer, 
of Milwaukee; Valentine Mottkeen, who is a 
railroad machinist at Scranton, Pa.; George 
P., a drayman in Honesdale, Pa.; Frederick; 
Ira; Lucy; and Elizabeth, the wife of the 
subject of this sketch. 

Although Elizabeth was very young at the 
time of her marriage, she was an excellent 
housekeeper, and with her husband's aid has 
guided to maturity four children, namely: 
George Everett Guild, born November 9, 
1850, a Presbyterian minister of Scranton, 
Pa., who married Mary Clark, of P"lorence, 
Mass., by whom he has three children — 
Clark G., E. Burnham, and Gertrude K. ; 
I-'annie M., widow of Herbert Twaddell, who 
has three sons — Ralph S., Howard J., and 
Everett E. ; Edwin L., a druggist in partner- 
ship with his father, who married Julia C. 
Ogden, of Walton, and has two children — 
Edna S., eight years of age, and Emily O., 
who has seen but four summers; Harriet E., 
wife of Henry O. Tobey, a grocer of Walton, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



■45 



who is the mother of two chuightcrs ami one 
son — Anna G., Martha 1?., and Truman C. 
Mr. and Mrs. Guild have been ealled upon to 
part with two sons and three L;ranilchiklren, 
who have passed on to the eternal home. The 
family are all members of the Congre>^ational 
church, where they are constant and interested 
attendants. 

Mr. (niild is a Democrat, but has never 
held office in that organization, content that 
his vote should always favor the men best 
qualified in his estimation to rule the people 
of this land. A gentleman of rare mercantile 
ability, high moral principles, and genial, 
affable manner, he has founded a reliable 
business, in the successful conduct of which 
he is ably assisted by his son. The sterling 
qualities of Mr. Guild are most thoroughly 
appreciated by his large circle of friends, all 
of whom regard him as a man of noble charac- 
ter and upright life. 



fOHN T. SHAW, a well-known and 
l)rnniinent lawyer of Delhi, Delaware 
County, N.V., was born in the same 
town, May 14, 1844. His father, Dan- 
iel Shaw, was also a native of Delhi. The 
grandfather, John Shaw, was a Scotchman by 
birth, and came to this country about 1800, 
bringing his wife, who was a Miss Anna 
McBain, also his father, mother, brothers, 
and sisters. They all settled in Delaware 
County, with the exception of James Shaw, 
who went to Genesee, where he reared a fam- 
ily of ten or eleven children, some of his de- 
scendants still living there. 

John Shaw was one of the earliest settlers 
in Delhi, purchasing land here at a period 
when there was but one store in the village, 
Main Street being at that time nothing but a 
country road. ^Ir. Shaw was one of the 
active men of his day, possessed of good 
judgment, and eminently successful in busi- 
ness. He moved from his first location to a 
farm on the Little Delaware River, where he 
lived for many years, but later sold it to one 
of his sons, and retired to Delhi, where he 
died July 3, 1868, at the advanced age of 
ninety-six. His wife was also long-lived, 
dying in her ninety-third year. The follow- 



ing-named children of their family lived to 
years of maturity; namely, Ann, Nellie, Isa- 
bel, Margaret, Daniel, Alexander, John, 
James, and William. 

Daniel Shaw was educatet! at the district 
school, afterward working with his father on 
the farm, and remaining with him until lie 
was twenty-one. Later he purchased a farm, 
which he conducted successfully until 1847, 
and then bought one near Delhi. Mr. Shaw 
was a member of the Republican party, and 
held several important town offices. He mar- 
ried Miss Margaret Lenox, a tiaughter of 
James Lenox, an early settler in Delhi and a 
prominent man of the town. To them were 
born ele\'en children, of whom tiie f(jllowing- 
named reached maturity: John T., Jennie A., 
Daniel W., Lmma, Ilattie, Nettie, Perry, and 
Lillie. Mrs. Shaw died May 30, 1870, aged 
forty-seven, and Mr. .Shaw in 18S1, aged 
sixty. 

John T. .Shaw, the subject of this notice, 
received his education at the district school, 
afterward assisting his father on the farm. A 
farmer's life not being to his liking, however, 
he took a course at the Delhi Academy, and 
then taught school during the winter season 
until he was twenty, when he entereil the 
employ of Mr. D. Ballantine as clerk, re- 
maining with him for one year. He was ne.\t 
employed in New \'ork City for a year, after- 
ward returning to Andes, where he com- 
menced the stuiiy of law in the office of 
William H. Johnson. In 1867 he went to 
Iowa, where he taught school, but the follow- 
ing year returned to Andes, and for a time 
acted as clerk for Mr. Johnson. In Ma\-, 
1869, he was ailmitted to the bar at Hing- 
hamton, at the general term of the Supreme 
Court, to practise in all the courts of the 
State. He continued as clerk for Mr. John- 
son until 1870, when he opened an office at 
Margaretl\'ille, remaining there for eighteen 
months. In 1872 he commenced practice in 
Delhi, and has remained here ever since, 
practising in all the courts of the State. I-"or 
eight consecutive years he held the ofTice of 
Justice of the Peace. 

January 4. 1S71, 'Sir. Shaw married Miss 
Margaret S. .Maxwell, a daughter of l-lbene/.er 
K. Maxwell, grandson of Judge Foot, first 



146 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



judge of Delaware County; and to this union 
have been born three chikiren: Maxwell D., a 
clerk for Mr. Hudson, of Delhi; Frederick F. 
and Frances R., both students at the Delhi 
Academy. Mr. Shaw is a strong supporter of 
the Republican party. The family are all 
members of the lipiscopal church. Mr. Shaw 
is essentially a self-made man, having gained 
his present honorable position by dint of en- 
ergy and perseverance. 



DWARD EDGERTON, a leading citi- 
zen of Franklin, Delaware County, was 
born in Sidney Plains, on April 26, 
1829. An enterprising ancestor was Richard 
Edgerton, one of a company of nine men who 
purchased and settled on a tract of thirty-nine 
square miles, in that part of Connecticut 
where the city of New London now stands. 
F"rom his three sons are descended most of the 
Edgertons now to be found on this side of the 
Atlantic. One of these three was Nathan 
Edgerton, the great-grandfather of the subject 
of this sketch. This Nathan Edgerton had a 
son, to whom he gave the same name. The 
second Nathan was born in Connecticut, but 
came early to the region where the town of 
Franklin now stands. The nearest mill was 
at Cooperstown ; and, when there was a bag of 
corn to be ground, he rode with it as far as 
the port of Unadilla, on the river, where he 
took a canoe. This involved a trip of two or 
three days; and on his return his wife would 
meet him at the landing, with the horse, and 
they would ride home together. Their son 
Thomas was the first white child born in the 
town of Franklin. Nathan Edgerton was at 
one time Sheriff of Delaware County. He 
died some years before his wife, who lived to 
within four years of a century. They were 
iiKlustrious farmers, and able to pass their 
(.leclining years in comfort; and their bodies 
rest in the family burial-yard. The grand- 
mother was Sally Belshaw, a lady with some 
Irish blood in her veins; and her seven chil- 
dren all lived to a good old age, having fami- 
lies and farms of their own. One son, John, 
lived to be eighty-six. Grandfather Nathan 
Edgerton had a brother Roger, who fought in 
the Revolution, and was captured at New 



York, but later became a Coventry farmer, on 
land won by his military services, where he 
died. His son, Albert Edgerton, is now a 
lawyer in St. Paul, Minn., and was one of the 
veteran's two sons to be present at the family 
reunion, recently held in the metropolis. 

Grandfather Nathan Edgerton had a son 
Nathan, the third to bear this name He was 
born in Franklin in 1795, and died in Walton 
in 1856. His wife was Emily Howell, of 
Franklin, the daughter of Simeon Howell. 
Their only son was Edward, though he has 
had three sisters, of whom one survives, 
Maria, the widow of W. T. Dart, of Des 
Moines, Iowa. One sister, Sally Ann, died 
in the prime of life, unmarried; and the other 
sister, Harriet, died in Walton in 1857, the 
wife of Andrew Steele, leaving three sons and 
three daughters. Mrs. Emil)- Howell Edger- 
ton died in 1851. 

Till he was sixteen Edward Edgerton 
stayed at home, going to school, and working 
on the farm. He then went to work with his 
uncle, John Edgerton, a prominent store- 
keeper in Franklin, who was also in public 
life as Supervisor and Sheriff. Six years 
later, in 1851, at the age of twenty-two, Ed- 
ward took to himself a wife on Christmas Day. 
She was Lucy Mellor, of Middlefield, Otsego 
County, a daughter of John Mellor and his 
wife, Ann Barnett, both of whom came from 
Derbyshire, England, in 1830, though the 
father crossed the seas in advance of his wife, 
in order to have a home ready when the 
mother came over with her three boys and five 
girls. She died in 1867, aged seventy-seven, 
and he in 1875, ten years older; and they 
both now rest in Ouleout Valley cemetery, 
he being the first person interred in that beau- 
tiful spot. A cousin of our subject, Erastus 
S. Edgerton, the son of Erastus Edgerton, did 
much for this cemetery. He was a banker in 
St. Paul, Minn., was interested in several 
other banks in different States, and was one 
of the few business men able to withstand the 
financial panic of 1857. At one time he was 
Deputy Sheriff, and in this capacity was ac- 
tive in suppressing the anti-rent riots, and 
barely escaped with his life, having a horse 
shot under him and a bullet passing through 
his hat. At the same time the Under-sheriff, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'47 



Mr. Steele, was killed. lua.stus S. ICdj^erton 
left provision in his will for a family monu- 
ment to be erected in the Ouleout X'alley 
cemetery, which provision has been fulh' car- 
ried out, the monument costing ten thousand 
dollars. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kdvvard Edgcrton have lived 
in I'^ranklin since their marriage, and from 
1853 to 1857 kept the hotel, but have now 
been farming for nearly forty years, c.\ce[)t 
during two years, when Mr. Fldgerton was 
engaged in lumbering. They have lost two 
children. Agnes married Isaac Birdsall, and 
died in April, 1877, just as she reached the 
age of twenty-one, leaving an infant son, lui- 
ward Ira Birdsall, who has been adopted by 
his grandparents, and received the ]iatro- 
nymic, Edgcrton. He is a }'oung man of great 
])romise, having been graduated with honors 
from the Delaware Institute in the class of 
1S94, at the age of seventeen, receiving a 
gold medal for declamation. Edward E. Ed- 
gcrton was graduated from the medical depart- 
ment of the University of New York, and also 
from the Homceopathic College in the same 
city. He was enjoying a successful practice 
when his death occurred, at the age of thirty- 
one, in Chicago, at the Lincoln Park Sanita- 
rium, November 21, 1893, just at the close 
of the Columbian Eair. The eldest son is 
George H. lulgerton, who has a wife and five 
children. Samuel Lloyd Edgerton, a twin 
brother of Dr. Edward, is married, and resides 
at Unadilla. being connected with the Han- 
f(}rd Wagon Company. 

Mrs. lulgerton is an Episcopalian. Mr. 
Edgerton is a Mason and a Democrat, though 
not an office-holder. The records of such 
families as the Edgertons suggest such praise 
as James Russell Lowell bestowed on Presi- 
dent Garfield, "The soil out of which such 
men as he are made is good to be born on, 
good to live on, good to die for, and to be 
buried in." 




(OBERT NESBITT, a prominent and 
wealthy citizen and farmer of Stam- 
b V ford, was borri on St. Valentine's 

Da\-, 1826, in the same tow^n. His 
grandfather, William Nesbitt, was an Eng- 



lishman, coming to .Stamford as an early set- 
tler .IS far back as 1795, and bringing wiili 
liini his wife and children. .Speedily he built 
a log house, and owned two hundred acres, 
which he cleared by hard work. This home- 
stead, thus won from the wilderness, became 
very dear to him; and theie he died at the 
age of eighty, after a prosperous agricultural 
career, still maintaining his faith in the lipis- 
c:)pal church, wherein he had been reared. 
He was a Eedcralist, or Whig, and attributed 
the ills of the nation to the misrule of the 
opposition ])aity when in ]5ower. It was no 
easy task for a farmer in Delaware Counts' a 
centur)' ago, when every bushel of meal hatl 
to be ground in .Schoharie County, where 
stood the nearest mill; but game and fish 
were plentiful. Grandfather Nesbitt had 
three sons and two daughters — George, Will- 
iam, Robert, Nancy, and Mary, all of whom 
grew up and married, but have passed into 
"that undiscovered country, from whose 
bourne no traveller returns." 

George Nesbitt was born in tiie luiglish 
home about the year 1777, while the colonies 
were fighting for their independence, and 
came over at the age of eighteen, with his 
parents, younger brothers, and sisters. He 
married I^lizabeth Maynard, a native of Bo- 
vina. More about the Maynards may be 
found in the sketch under that name. George 
Nesbitt was a good farmer, and his fertile 
fields laughed out with plenty. .Such a man 
could not be otherwise than prominent in 
local affairs. When the anti-rent contest 
arose, he sided very strongly with the efforts 
of the conuiion j^eoplc to resist aristocratic 
land-monopoly; and he also serveil as .Super- 
visor and School Commissioner in Bovina. 
where his farm was located. With his youth- 
ful training in Great I'Jritain, it was but nat- 
ural for him to follow the religious example 
of his father, and be an E.piscopalian ; but his 
wife was a Methodist. He was also like his 
father in being a \Miig: but. when this party 
disappeared in 1856, he joined the Demo- 
cratic ranks. His last years were si)ent in 
Stamford, he dying on the parental farm, 
which had come into his possession. There, 
also, his wife ilied, at the great age of eighty- 
five. Of their eight children six grew to 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



adult age, and three still survive. William 
Nesbitt lives a retired life in Stamford, and 
George is in De Kalb County, 111. 

The youngest of these sons, Robert, is the 
special subject of this sketch, and was named 
after an uncle. He grew up like other lads 
of the neighborhood, working on the home 
farm and attending the district school. A 
year after he came of age he learned carpentry 
under Hector Cowan, and in 1849 began for 
himself the business which for fifteen years he 
carried on uninterruptedly. His first pay was 
at the rate of ten dollars per month, from 
Charles Higby, who paid him, not in the ex- 
pected cash, but with a promissory note. 
Frugal in disposition, he at last accumulated 
fifteen hundred dollars, wherewith he bought 
part of the old homestead. In September, 
1868, he married. The bride was Jane Whip- 
ple, a daughter of Daniel and Maria (Cham- 
berlain) Whipple. Daniel Whipple was born 
in the Green Mountain State, and his wife in 
Roxbury, Delaware County. Not only was 
he a successful farmer, but a tanner also, a 
trade much in demand in a new country. His 
declining years were spent in Kortright, 
where he died at the age of eighty-seven, his 
wife passing away at the age of sixty-six. 
They had ten children, of whom eight sur- 
vive; and the family belonged to the Meth- 
odist body. Mr. Whipple was a Republican 
in politics. 

Mr. Nesbitt from time to time increased 
the old farm, till it included over five hundred 
acres; but in 1868, at the time of his mar- 
riage, he sold out, in order to buy another 
farm, where he still resides, and which was at 
one time only one hundred acres smaller than 
the old one; but he has parted with portions 
of it, till now he carries on a little less than 
three hundred and fifty acres, which are in 
first-rate condition, affording pasturage for 
sixty cows, besides other stock. What he 
has he has earned by hard labor, and thriftily 
cares for. Land and buildings are in fine 
condition, and one can read prosperity in barn 
and meadow. Mr. Nesbitt has been chosen a 
director of the new creamery in process of 
erection in South Kortright. Though he has 
been a Stamford Assessor, he has not cared to 
mix very much in political life. The family 



belong to the Presbyterian society in Almeda. 
Only two children have blessed the home, and 
one of these has been already called to higher 
spheres. Sherman S. Nesbitt was born Feb- 
ruary 17, 1875. In the same year, on No- 
vember 14, in Schoharie County, was born his 
wife, Hattie Hilts, a daughter of Jay and 
Lydia (Boyington) Hilts, farm-owners. The 
deceased brother was the older of the two, and 
born July 12, 1872. He bore the family 
names, Robert Whipple Nesbitt, and passed 
away July 17, 1891, in the very bloom of his 
youth, his twentieth year only five days begun. 
Mr. Nesbitt may well look with pride upon 
lowland and upland, as well as upon the cat- 
tle so well cared for, not only by himself, but 
by his enterprising son, who, with his young 
wife beside him, is not only the pride of his 
father's heart, but bids fair to share his agri- 
cultural laurels. Well did the late President 
Garfield say: "If wrinkles must be written 
upon our brows, let them not be written upon 
the heart. The spirit should not grow old." 
With equal truth was it said by an older 
thinker and scholar, Josiah Quincy, "An 
agricultural life is one eminently calculated 
for human happiness and human virtue." 




|APTAIN JULIUS W. ST. JOHN. 
I In the annals of Delaware County no 

^ ^. name stands forth more promi- 
nently, or adds a brighter lustre to 
its records, than that of the gentleman whose 
name heads this sketch. For many years he 
has been an important factor in the mercan- 
tile circles of the town of Walton, having 
been senior partner in the firm of St. John, 
Eells & Reynolds, dealers in hardware. He 
is one of Walton's favored sons, his birth 
occurring within its limits, March 29, 1855. 
His father, William S. St. John, was born in 
Walton, about half a mile from the village, 
on the East Brook Road, April 13, 1822. He 
was a son of Thaddeus Seymour St. John, who 
was also a native of Walton, where he spent 
his entire life. In his early days he was 
engaged in farming, but relinquished that 
occupation, and for several years managed 
the only hotel in town. He subsequently 
opened a store for the sale of general mer- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'49 



chanilisc, and carried on an extensive busi- 
ness, being one of tiie most [irominent 
niercliants in tbis vicinit)', and remaining 
actively engaged in business until tbe time 
of bis death. He married Hannab (irav 
Eel Is. 

The father of tbe subject of tbis sketih was 
but six years of age when his parents removetl 
from their farm to the hotel, which was lo- 
cated three miles up the river from tlic vil- 
lage of Walton. There he resided until ten 
years old, and during tbe last three years of 
his residence there carried the mail from Wal- 
ton to DownsN'ille, a distance of twelve miles, 
on horseback, being, without doubt, the 
youngest mail-carrier in existence. At the 
expiration of that time his father entered upon 
bis mercantile career in the village of Wal- 
ton; and he pursued his studies in the village 
school, and afterward attended the academy at 
Delhi one winter, remaining with his parents 
until twenty-one years old. He then assumed 
the responsibilities of marrieti life, sui^port- 
ing himself and wife by clerking in bis 
father's store. He later entered the business 
as a i^artner, continuing for a short time, 
when the goods were sold out and the firm dis- 
solved. He then went to Ohio, where be 
dealt in sheep and cattle, buying there and 
selling to the New York market. Returning 
to Walton, he again entered the mercantile 
business, forming a partnership with .S. 
North, antl continuing with him a few }-ears, 
when he bought out the interest of his part- 
ner, and ran the business alone for a time. 
He subsequently took in H. E. St. John, and 
carried on business with liini for a time, then 
bought him out, and made bis son, Charles 
B., a partner; and the firm continued thus for 
a few years. He afterward removed to Nor- 
wich, where be was eni|)loyed some years in 
the shops of tbe Ontario & Western Railwa\' 
Company, then, returning to Walton, was for 
a time in the coal office of I'ond & I'"ancher. 
Later he went to Sing-.Sing, and worked for a 
time on the New York Central Railway, then 
came back to the place of his nativity, where 
he has since lived retired. 

He has been twice married. When be was 
twenty-one years of age, his union with Juli- 
ette Bristol, the daughter of John and I'ris- 



cilla Bristol, of Walton, was celebrateti. 
She (lied, leaving four children, as follows: 
(ieorge, an engineer, who was killed on the 
railway at Liberty, was married, and left one 
son, who is now running an engine on the fast 
express from Middletown to New \'ork, and is 
considered one of the best engineers in the 
employ of tbe Ontario & Western l^ailway 
Company; Charles B. ; Edward S. ; and l-'lor- 
ence. who died when young. In 1850 ^Ir. 
St. John was again married, taking for a wife 
Mrs. Betsey Ann (Hanford) Waring, a daugh- 
ter of .Seth Hanford, a native of Walton, but 
of New England origin. Of this union two 
children ( twins) have been born: Julius W., 
the subject of this sketcii ; and Julia B., the 
wife of Charles .S. Waters, of Norwich, \.Y. 
In politics Mr. .St. John uniformly sujiports 
the ReiMiblican ticket, and has served as Col- 
lector of Taxes and as Trustee of the school 
district. His wife is an active worker in the 
Congregational church, of which she has been 
a member foi- years. 

The subject of this sketch spent the davs of 
his boyhood and youth with his father, obtain- 
ing his preliminary education in the village 
school, and comjileting it in the Walton 
Academy. On (October 20, 1S73, be began 
to learn tbe tinsmith's trade with S. B. I'itch, 
and also assisted in clerking in his large hard- 
ware store. In 1877 he was taken into part- 
nership, "buying a one-third interest, and so 
continued, tlu' firm being known as .S. B. 
Eitch & Co., for two years. Then, selling 
out to his partners, Mr. St. John went on the 
road, selling stoves for Russell, Wheeler, 
.Son & Co., of Utica, N.Y., and remained in 
their cmjiloy until I'ebruary 14, 18S5. He 
then established the present Iiardware business 
here, from which he has just retired, succeed- 
ing Eells 6t Wood, under the firm name of 
L. S. iK: J. W. St. John, and having a store at 
the corner of Ncn'th and Delaware .Streets, the 
old Eells store. Tliis firm continued until 
June 20, 1889, when L. .S. .St. John sold out 
'< his interest to J. P. White, the lirm name 
< being changed to -St. John & While; and on 
No\-ember 14, 1890, tlie present magnificent 
store, which bad been erected and completed 
I under the suiiervision of our subject, was 
I opened. Tbis is conceded to be one of the 



15° 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



finest hardware stores in the State of New 
York; and in it the firm continued to do 
business until January i, 1891, when Mr. 
White retired, Mr. St. John buying his inter- 
est. On February i of the same year Messrs. 
Eells and Reynolds, whose sketches appear 
elsewhere in this volume, were taken into 
partnership; and the firm name changed to St. 
John, Eells & Reynolds, continuing to read 
thus until May i, 1894, when Mr. St. John 
practically retired from the business, although 
remaining with and assisting Messrs. Eells 
and Reynolds in the management of the same. 

The stock of goods carried by this firm is 
the largest in any town in the State of New 
York; and the store is one of the largest, fin- 
est, and best-arranged in the State, its stock 
of goods being one of the most complete to be 
found in the country. The business, which 
was established by Henry Eells, the father of 
the present partner, nearly half a century ago, 
has been successfully conducted from that time 
to the present, and more particularly so dur- 
ing the past ten years, under the able man- 
agement of Mr. St. John. His excellent 
reputation throughout the surrounding coun- 
try, his pleasant, agreeable manners, and his 
frank, open, and straightforward business 
methods have won for him a large circle of 
friends, and have materially increased the 
profits of the business. September 15, 1894, 
he purchased the interest of E. W. Pond, of 
the firm of Pond & North, in the insurance 
business, which business will be continued 
under the firm name of North & St. John. 

In all social matters, and, in fact, in all 
matters connected with the advancement of the 
village of Walton, the Captain has always 
taken a very warm interest. On May 29, 
1879, he joined the Thirty-third Separate 
Company of Walton, under the command of 
Captain M. W. Marvin, a sketch of whom 
appears upon another page of this volume. 
On account of being compelled to travel in 
the interests of his business, the name of Mr. 
St. John was tlropped from the rolls of the 
company on April 21, 1880; but on May 5, 
1887, he re-enlisted, and on April 6, 1888, 
was elected to the position of Second Lieu- 
tenant from the ranks, passing all interme- 
diate offices of positions, showing his immense 



popularity with the members of the company. 
This rank he retained until March 29, 1S90, 
when he was promoted to First Lieutenant, 
and continued in this position until July 5, 
1892, when he was made Captain of the com- 
pany, which at this time consisted of seventy- 
six men, not more than half of whom were 
located within the corporation limits. The 
company has now the names of ninety-four 
men upon its rolls, nine-tenths of whom are 
within the corporation limits, and in point of 
discipline and execution has few superiors in 
the State. Through the influence of Captain 
St. John and his friends a bill has been 
passed, and signed by the Governor, for a 
magnificent new armory, which will be com- 
pleted in about a year, and will be one of the 
finest armories of a separate company in the 
State. In all martial circles the name of 
Captain St. John is held in high respect, and 
in all martial matters his opinions are eagerly 
sought for. 

The Captain is also a member of Walton 
Lodge, No. 559, A. F. & A. M., of which he 
is Senior Warden. He is a Royal Arch 
Mason, and Treasurer of the chapter to which 
he belongs. He is a member of the Lodge of 
Perfection, Scottish Rite, of Utica, an ex- 
member of the Red Men, and a charter mem- 
ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, 
of which he is now Master Workman. Mr. 
St. John was also a charter member, and the 
first torch boy of the Alert Hose Company; 
and, when he left in 1880, he had risen to 
the position of foreman of the company, of 
which he had been secretary for many years. 
He likewise belonged to the band and orches- 
tra for many years, and has been an official 
member in every secret society organized in 
the village of VValton within the past twenty 
years. 

On September 26, 1876, Mr. St. John was 
united in marriage with Miss Hattie Ada J. 
Chrisman, one of three children born to James 
D. and Julia A. (Bassett) Chrisman, a sketch 
of whose lives may be found elsewhere in this 
work. The pleasant household thus formed 
has been brightened and enlivened by the 
advent of three children ; namely. Earl Shef- 
field, Frank Chrisman, and Howard Raymond. 
Mr. St. John and his family are members of 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



the Eijiscopal church of Walton, and lor 
twenty years lie has sung in its choir, lie is 
also an officer of the church, having; been 
elected W'strxman in iSSS, and is now serv- 
ing as Junior Warden. Politically, he is a 
Republican, and is now a Trustee of the 
.School Ixiaril. He was a member of the 
Building Committee when the present mag- 
nificent Union School building was erected. 



-OIIN JAY ANDRl-lWS, a prominent 
resident of Kortright, was born in the 
same town on the last day of January, 
1840. His mother, Xancy Mace, was 
born in Kortright, with the nineteenth cen- 
tury, November 10, 1800. His father, for 
whom he was named, John Andrews, was 
born in Stamford on Alay 11, 1798. The 
grandfather, Samuel W'akeman Andrews, was 
a farmer, who on horseback came from Con- 
necticut to Delaware County, and settled in 
Stamford, where he bought a tract of wild 
land, and built a log cabin. This was in 
1790, while Washington was in the midst of 
his first administration. Catskill was the 
nearest market. Came was very abundant. 
Success meant hard labor; but in this respect 
Samuel Andrews was fully up to the mark, 
taking the lead among the agriculturists of 
his day. At his death, at the age of sixty- 
five, he was the ])routl possessor of four liun- 
dred valuable acres, and left his family the 
equal heritage of a good name. He was a 
Democrat (Republican, the i-arty was early 
called), and perhaps not particularly well 
pleased when, not long before his son John's 
birth, the Federalists elected John Adams, in 
opposition to that deep thinker and steadfast 
patriot, Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Andrews be- 
longed to the Baptist church; but his wife, 
whose maiden name was I'llizabeth Meriani. 
was a Methodist. They had ten sons and two 
daughters, all but one of whom lived to the 
age of about fourscore, and one was living in 
1894 — Benjamin Andrews, of New Yoik 
City. 

Among these children, as already sug- 
gested, was John, the father of the subject of 
this sketch. He grew up on the farm in 
-Stamford, Init added to farming a skilful 



knowledge of carpentry. His first land |)ur- 
chase was in another part of Delaware County, 
the town of Hamden, where he also found 
plenty to do as a builder. His next business 
venture was in Kortright, where he added 
wagon-making to his former trade, and also 
bought a second farm, on which he labored 
till the last part of his life. He passed from 
earth in 1881, while living in his son John's 
home, at the good old age of eighty-three. 
His wife died in the same filial home, at the 
age of eighty-fi\e. Both were stanch adher- 
ents of the United Presbyterian church. 
Politicall)-, he followed his father in being a 
Democrat; and he had nearly the same num- 
ber of children, ten in all, of whom six sur- 
vive. .Samuel, named for his grandfather, is 
a citizen of the metropolis, and so are his 
brothers, Charles and Benjamin Clark. Their 
sister l'~li/.abeth has a home with her brother 
John J. Mrs. Mary D. Bush, another sister, 
lives in the \illage of Hobart. .Simeon Mace 
Andrews died at the age of sixty-six. Charles 
Clark, Cordelia, and Hannah Andrews died in 
early life. It is a religious as well as a patri- 
otic satisfaction to the Andrews family that 
they are able to trace their lineage directly 
back to an ancestor bearing the same name, 
who crossetl the seas in the "Mayflower," anil 
landed where "the breaking waves dashetl 
high, on a stern and rockbound coast." 

J. J. An(h-ews was like his father in grow- 
ing to manhood on the paternal acres, though 
in a different district. What schooling was 
pi)ssible he obtained in his native place. 
Vacu after he began to support himself he 
still li\ed under the parental roof-tree, anil 
cared for his father and mother in their feebler 
\ears. He was not married till the second 
day of October, 1878. The bride was born 
in Hobart, April 24, 1859. Her name was 
Mary lunma Kniskern. and at the time of her 
marriage she was only nineteen. Her mother, 
Jane lileanor .Story, was born in Schoharie 
Countv, December 17, 1828; and her father, 
John v. Kniskern. an industrious cabinet- 
maker and builder, was horn in the same 
county, 1-ebruary 7, 1822. Their home was, 
and still is. in Hobart, where they arc active 
workers in the :\Iethodist church. A Rei)ub- 
lican in iiolitics. INIr. Kniskern has always 



^52 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Andrews 

in 1865, 

To the 

acres he 



been interested in everything that affects the 
welfare of the community. To the Kniskerns 
were born ten children, as also to the parents 
of Mr. Andrews. Walter J. is a house- 
painter in Hobart. Aldamont is a book- 
keeper in Baltimore. Mrs. Maud Chapman 
resides in New York City. Claude is a resi- 
dent of Hobart. Mary is the wife of Mr. 
Andrews. Mrs. Cora L. P. Lyon resides in 
the metropolis. Herman and John B. are 
both painters in the village of Hobart, like 
their brother Walter. Elloy and Jennie both 
died when only eighteen months old. 

The productive farm where Mr. 
and his family reside was bought 
just at the close of the Civil War. 
original two hundred and eighteen 
added one hundred and twenty-six more two 
years later, so that he now owns three hun- 
dred and forty-four acres, one of the largest 
farms in this section. Like his neighbors, he 
turns his attention mainly to dairy products, 
having seventy-five milch cows, and selling 
ten cans of milk daily, the year round. He 
also deals in fine horses, and keeps his barns 
and stables in excellent condition. 

Three children have blessed the home. 
Maud Elizabeth was born November 23, 1879, 
and still graces the homestead. John Sim- 
eon, named for grandfathers and an uncle, was 
born May 15, 1884, and has not yet left 
home; and the same is naturally true of his 
younger brother, Benjamin Clark, born March 
22, 1887. These children are growing up an 
honor to their parents. Mrs. Andrews is 
Presbyterian in faith. Her husband, how- 
ever, is a liberal in his religious views. In 
politics he is a Democrat, like the two gener- 
ations preceding him. The home is located 
in the beautiful valley of the Delaware River, 
and surrounded by the hills and mountains 
forming part of the famous Catskill range. 



/3)lORGE WEBSTER. The thriving 
\ JTT villige of Walton has a full quota 
^ — of live, energetic, and persevering 
business men, among whom is the subject of 
this sketch, who, in company with Mr. Frank 
Clark, has recently embarked in the market 
business. He is a man of sound judgment 



and keen foresight, and has met with uniform 
success in the various transactions in which 
he has engaged. He is a native of the Em- 
pire State, appearing upon the scenes of life 
in 1 841, in the town of Milford, Otsego 
County, at the homestead of his parents, 
David and Ruth (^Worden) Webster. 

David Webster was born on the green sod 
of the Emerald Isle, in the year 1796, in 
Armagh, County Down, and was named for 
his father. When fifteen years old, he accom- 
panied his parents to America. They had an 
unusually tempestuous voyage, their seven 
weeks of ocean travel being weeks of terror 
and danger. After landing in New York 
City, they proceeded at once to the town of 
Westford, near Schenevus, Otsego County, 
where they bought a tract of timbered land, 
on which they reared their large family of 
eighteen children, all of whom were born in 
Ireland. Many of these sons and daughters 
were old enough to be of great assistance in 
clearing and improving the land; and in a 
few years they had a good farm, entirely free 
from debt. On this homestead, which they 
reclaimed from the forest, David Webster, 
Sr., and his wife spent their remaining years, 
rearing their large family to habits of indus- 
try and economy; and all became honored 
and trustworthy men and women, and most of 
them well-to-do farmers. They were Protes- 
tant in religion, and held in high respect 
throughout their neighborhood. 

David Webster, Jr., the father of George 
Webster, was an earnest and honest tiller of 
the soil, and after his marriage bought a farm 
in Otsego County, on which he resided until 
1849, prosperously engaged in mixed husban- 
dry. During that year he removed to Dela- 
ware County, buying a farm in the town of 
Tompkins. After living there eight years, 
he exchanged that two hundred acres of land 
for a farm near by, and was there a resident 
until the spring of 1866, conducting his agri- 
cultural interests very successfully. Selling 
that at an advance, he purchased another farm, 
which was finely situated on the Delaware 
River, between Cannonsville and Deposit. 
In 1869, feeling the infirmities of years com- 
ing on apace, and having performed his full 
share of manual labor, he sold his property to 



BIOGRAI'HICAI, KI'.VIFAV ij.i 

his son, with whom lie ami liis faitlilii! wife manird l''loroncc Walworth, aiui also lias on.- 

afterward made their liome, both dyiiii;- in ehild. a liri-ht hoy of fourteen months: and 

Cannonsville, at the a,<;e of eighty-six years, George I.., a young man of eighteen years, 

his death occurring in 1883, ami hers in 1.S84. who is now attending the Walton High 

Of eleven children horn to them nine grew to School. Mr. and Mrs. Webster occupy .1 very 

maturity, four sons and live daughters: and of pleasant home on I'ark Street, which they 

these the following are now living: John, a bought from William Woodin, who had built 

farmer, who lives in Sanford, Broome County: it for his own use. 

Mary Ann, the widow of Stutely Sherma'n, In politics Mr. Webster is an unconipromis- 

who' resides near Cooperstown Junction, in ing Republican, ever interested in local mat- 

Otsego County; ]':bene/er, wlio likewise lives ters, and now serving as Village Trustee, 

near Cooperstown Junction, and owns, in com- While in Tompkins he was for one year As- 

pany with his son-in-law, a valuable farm of sessor. In his religious views he coincides 

six hundred acres, on which they carry on an with the tenets of the Baptist church, of 

extensive business in dairying and hop-grow- which he and his wife and two children are 

ing; Ruth Ann, the wife 'of N. S. l$oyd, a faithful and worthy members, he being a 

farmer, who lives in Downsville; and (leorge. Trustee and Deacon, 

of whom we write. . -_«.». 

George W\-bster received a limited educa- ^_^,^mm^ 

tion in^the district school, and at the early TjDW.XRD AUGCSTCS SlIAFI-^I-'.R is 

age of eight years began working on the farm, r^ a leading citizen of Margarettville. 

hTs first c^njilovment being to drive the team '^■^ - ■- where he has a large store in the 

for his father to i)lough. From this time very centre of the village. He was born May 

until the vear i8go Mr.' Webster was steadily 27, 1869. in the town of Andes; and his an- 

engagcd in agricultural pursuits, and was a ; tecedents are worth considering, 

fanner of more than average skill and ability, : The great-grandparents were Adam and 

his earlv experience in that line being of in- ; Laura ( Shoefelt) Shaffer. .Adam Shalfer was 

estimable value to him. His first purchase of born in Dutchess County, and there married, 

land was near Cannonsville, and contained Willi his wife and older children he came to 

one hundred and fifty acres of rich and iiro- Delaware County, and settled in the village 

ductive land, from which he receive:! a good of Shavertown, in Andes, on the banks of the 

annual income. In 1 8()0 he sold that farm Delaware River, on a farm now owned by 

for the consideration of six thousand five bun- W. II. Terry. He brought cattle and horses 

dred d(dlars, and, coming to the village of fnuii his oUI home, and built almost the first 

Walton, bought a small tract within the cor- log house and barn in this part of the town, 

poration liniits. This he divided into town On I'.each Hill Creek he built subsequently 

lots, all of which he has sold with the excep- the only saw-mill to be found for many miles: 

tion of five. In 1893 he and his son bought , and, as there were as yet no roads to Kings- 

the Walton bakery, which is now under the ton, the nearest settlement, only trails 

management of his two elder sons, liugene ., through the woods, it was no easy task to get 

and Arthur. together the proper materials. As there was 

The marriage of Mr. Webster and Miss great need of a grist-mill, he contrived a rude 

Hulda Pomero'v was celebrated September 30, machine for corn-grinding, much like an old- 

1863. Mrs. VVebster was born in Hamden, fashioned well-sweep: only, in place of a 

Delaware County, and is a daughter of Orange bucket, was a heavy stone that_ was pounded 

D. and Sally ( Montfort) Pomeroy, the former , up and d.iwn upon the grain, which was placed 

of whom was born in Massachusetts, and the ' in a hollow log by way of a hopper. So in- 

latter in Delaware County. This union has dispensable was this pounder that^ larmers 

been blessed with three 'children : Eugene, came from near and far to use it. I hen Air. 

who married l-:mma '1-iffanv, and has one Shaffer began to raft lumber down the rivc-r. 

daughter, now a few months old; Arthur, who , and in the course of years was able to erect a 



IS4 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



frame house and barn, the first in this part of 
the county. It need hardly be said that a 
farmer so enterprising and inventive soon 
wanted more than the two hundred acres at 
first bought. In the woods were wolves, 
bears, panthers, and wild-cats, as well as deer. 
Like the father of the human race, this Adam 
could call the beasts by name, and in later 
life could narrate to a younger generation 
many an adventure of the wilderness. Six 
boys helped him in his work — George, 
Henry, Philip, Peter, William, and John. 
The pioneer was a Whig in his latter days, 
but earlier in life was a Federalist; and the 
family belonged to the Dutch Reformed 
church. Adam Shaffer died in middle life, at 
fifty-two; but his wife lived to be a dozen 
years older. 

Adam Shaffer's son William, on attaining 
manhood, bought part of his father's farm. 
He married Hannah Vail, daughter of Joseph 
and Ruby (Wilson) Vail, who came from the 
South, settled on the banks of the Delaware, 
reared a large family, and lived to be old 
people, though the descendants are no longer 
found in this region. Like his father, Will- 
iam Shaffer not only farmed, but dealt largely 
in lumber, owning at one time three saw- 
mills. Like his parents, William and Han- 
nah Shaffer had six children. Alfred, born 
January 5, 1815, married Mary Jessup; and 
they had one child, who now lives in Andes. 
Delancey Shaffer was born in the last month 
of the year 18 17. He was twice married, first 
to the Widow Bambardt, and second to Anne 
Knapp, and had in all seven children. 
Edwin Shaffer was born October i, 1823. 
George R. Shaffer was born November 10, 
1825, married Sarah Radecker, has two chil- 
dren, and lives at Shavertown. Sylvester 
Shaffer, born January 29, 1830, married De- 
lotte Fuller, and lives in Downsville. Sallie 
C. Shaffer, born in August, 1839, married 
Dr. Oliver Carroll, lives in Port Jervis, and 
has one child. William Shaffer was a soldier 
in the War of 18 12, and received for his ser- 
vice a thousand acres of land, divided into 
farms and woodland. He died March 30, 
1835, ^i^c' li's wife on July 22, 1840. 

William Shaffer's son lulwin, father of the 
subject of this sketch, studied in the district 



school, and worked at home, where he re- 
mained till he was thirty years old. His 
father gave him a saw-mill and land, and nat- 
urally Edwin took to the lumber business; 
but in 1864 he turned drover, taking cattle at 
first as far as Dutchess County, and later to 
New York City and New Jersey. November 
29, 1863, amid the Civil War, he married, 
his wife being Agnes Boyce, daughter of 
James, Jr., and Barbara (Gordon) Boyce. 
James Boyce, Jr., was the son of James, Sr., 
and Agnes (Currie) Boyce, of Dumfries, Scot- 
land. James Boyce the younger came to 
America when twenty-two years old, and here 
met and married Barbara Gordon, daughter of 
James and Mary (Hay) Gordon. Her brothers 
and sisters were Peter, Jane Ann, Owen, and 
Jeanette. At first James Boyce and his wife 
lived in New York City, but later in Delhi and 
Andes. The names of their children were: 
James ; Joshlynn, who married Laura Caulk- 
ins, and has two children; Mary; Peter, who 
married Mary E. Davis, and has one boy; 
Fannie: Agnes, who was born March 28, 
1849, and married Edwin Shaffer, as already 
related; John, who is dead: Thomas, who 
married Maggie Bell, has four children, and 
lives in Hartford, Conn.; William A., who 
married Anna Burhaus, lives in Margarett- 
ville, and is a merchant; David, who lives in 
Michigan: Annie, who married C. J. Dick- 
son, of whom a special sketch may be found. 
James Boyce lived in Andes when his wife 
died, in 1882, December 20, a member of the 
Presbyterian church ; and then he moved to 
Margarettville, where he now lives, at the 
extreme age of eighty-five. Edwin and Agnes 
Shaffer had only two children. Edward Au- 
gustus Shaffer was born May 27, 1869, and 
was married June 28, 1893. Laura Anna 
Shaffer was born February 28, 1877, and lives 
at home. Their father is a Republican, and 
his wife is a Presbyterian. 

Edward Augustus Shaffer went to school 
winters and worked on the farm summers. 
Four years he worked for T. R. McFarland, 
and then, at the age of seventeen, was em- 
ployed as clerk by C. J. Dickson, of Mar- 
garettville, his kinsman by marriage. Being 
then of age, he formed a partnership with 
Fred. S. Tobey; and they continued three 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



1 5 - 



vcars in tlic liardwarc Ijusincss, till 18S3, 
when Mr. Shaffer sold out, and worked a year 
with his old employer, and then went into 
business elsewhere for himself, adding to his 
plumbing an extensive traffic in all sorts of 
farming tools. His place of business is on 
Bridge Street. He w\'is married in 1S93, at 
the age of twenty-four. His wife, Ccua \l. 
Terpenning, is the only daughter of H. H. 
and Susa (Myles) Terpenning. He was born 
in Ulster County, near Ksopus, and first ditl 
business in New York City, but later came to 
Margarettville, where he jjurchased of C. H. 
Scboonmaker the Riverside Hotel, and does 
a large business in entertaining summer 
boarders. Mr. 1'". A. Shaffer is a Keiiublican, 
very liberal in his religious views. 




r?)l-;\VIS 1!. STRONG, a well-to-do 
farmer, residing on the l'"rank]in road 
in the town of Meredith, is a man 
of much energy and ability, and 
has attained success by his untiring industry, 
combined with a careful and wise manage- 
ment of his business interests. He is a na- 
tive of Delaware County, having been born on 
September 23, 1828, in that part of the town 
of Meredith Iving between Delhi and Mere- 
dith Square. He comes of Colonial stock, 
ami traces his aneestr)' back to one Caleb 
-Strong, his great-grandfather, who was born 
in Connecticut, in the town of Colchester, 
February 20, 1713. He was a farmer by occu- 
pation, and spent his last years in Sharon, 
Conn. His son, Caleb Strong, Jr., was also 
of Connecticut birth, born June 20, 1749. He 
carried on farming in Sharon until 1797, when 
he came to this county and cleared olf a tract 
of land now included in the site of Meredith 
Square, remaining there until his decease. 
He married and reared thirteen children. 

William, the youngest, was born l*"ebruary 
29, 1797, in the Connecticut home of his par- 
ents, and was brought here by them when an 
infant. He was bred a farmer, and remained 
with his father, helping in the farm work 
until of age. He then began working by the 
month for Judge Law, and subsequently 
bought a farm on Honest ]5rook, where he 
lived a few years. Selling that property, he 



removed to Taylor, Cortland County, residing; 
there three years. In 1834 he returned to 

'1 this county, and purchased the farm udw 
owned and occupied by his son, Lewis K., the 

{ sul)jecl of this sketch. He labored diligentiy 
in clearing and impro\ing tiie land, and in 
course of time waving fields ot grain and 
green jxisture lands occupieil the tract wliere 
fc-rmerly stood the primeval forest. (Jn this 
snug homestead he and his good wife jiassed 
their remaining years, she crossing the dark 
river of death in 1867, he dying in 1876, at 
the venerable age of sevent)'-nine years. The 
maiden name of Mrs. William Strong was 
Ciiarlotte Whitney. .She was a native of 
Walton, and was one of a large family of 
children born to David and Nancy (Raymond) 

! Whitney, the date of her birth being February 
15, 1800. Her ]jarents were natives of New 
Ivngland ; but after their marriage they settled 

i in Walton, where Mr. Wliitney followed the 
trade of a blacksmith for many vears. Se\en 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Strong: 
Mary .\nn, who married Thomas Bartlelt; 
Marietta, who niarrieil William H. (kites: 
Maria, who married Thomas Craham, a butter 
dealer of Croton : James W. : Lewis H. : 
William M.: and ^iilton M. Mrs. Strong 
was a noble t\[)e of the ])ioneer women of her 
ilay, a faithful coadjutor of her husband in all 
of his labors, and a sincere member of the 
Presbyterian church of Meredith. 

Lewis B., the second son of William and 
Charlotte Strong, was two years of age when 
his parents went to Cortland County, where 
they lived three years, and was five years old 
when they removed to the farm he now occu- 
pies. He shortly began his education in the 
district school, and, completing it at the 
I'ranklin Literary Institute, was subsequently 
engaged one term in teaching. His assist- 
ance being then needed on the home farm, he 
gave his attention to that until 1853, when he 
purchased a farm in the western part of the 
town, where he resided ten years, successlully 
engaged in general husbandry. Returning in 
1S63 to the home of his boyhood, he bought 
the place, which he has since carried on with 
satisfactorv pecuniary results. During the 
lifetime of his honored parents they re- 
maineil inmates of his home, and were ten- 



iS6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



derly cared for by himself and family. His 
farm contains one hundred and twenty acres 
of good land, on which, besides raising grain 
of all kinds and cutting a good deal of hay, he 
keeps a dairy of graded Jerseys, which yield 
him a profitable income, his sweet, pure but- 
ter finding a ready market. 

Mr. Strong has been twice married. His 
first wife, to whom he was united in 1850, 
was Jeanette Hymers, one of ten children 
born to John and Elizabeth (Ormiston) 
Hymers, the former of whom was a native of 
Scotland and the latter of Bovina. Three 
children were born of this union, namely: 
Henry M., who married Anna McCormick, of 
Meredith, and died at the age of thirty-two 
years; Alfred D., a butcher in Delhi, who 
married Sarah Thompson, and has one child, 
James Madison; Frank M., who married 
Adelia Osborne, of Croton, and has one child, 
Lewis Ranson. Mrs. Strong, a sweet, lov- 
able woman, passed to the higher life in 1878, 
at the age of forty-six years. She was a true 
Christian, and a devout member of the Presby- 
terian church. Mr. Strong subsecjuently 
wedded Miss Eugenia L. Covell, a native of 
Wisconsin, and the daughter of Peter and 
Jane (Moscrip) Covell, natives of Delaware 
County. Peter Covell died in Wisconsin; 
and his wife returned with her family to 
Delaware County, and married James Sloane, 
who was for many years a well-known farmer 
in the town of Kortright. 

Politically, Mr. Lewis B. Strong is a true- 
blue Republican, and in the affairs of his 
town and county takes an intelligent interest. 
He has filled the office of Supervisor four 
terms, and for eleven years was a Justice, of 
the Peace. Six years he was employed as 
Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue. Re- 
ligiously, he is a believer in the tenets of the 
Methodist church, to which iiis wife belongs. 




1 1 ETON H. MAYNARD, a promi- 
nent lumber merchant at Fish's 
Eddy, was born October 26, 
1829, in Delhi, Delaware County. 
His earliest ancestors in this country came 
from England and settled in Massachusetts. 
Thomas Maynard, his grandfather, was born 



in Deerfield, on the Maynard farm, which is 
one of the oldest in that part of the State. 
He married Elizabeth Choat, of Deerfield, 
and, with a colony of Eastern people, com- 
prising members of the Maynard, Choat, and 
Parsons families, migrated to Schoharie 
County, New York, late in last century, set- 
tling in that part of Blenheim now called 
Gilboa. They came as far as Newburg, 
N.Y., by water, and then were conveyed by 
ox carts to Blenheim, where they built their 
log cabins on the highest hills they could 
find. Here they lived a most primitive life, 
depending mainly upon the game, deer, and 
fish for their daily food. They built strong- 
enclosures for their sheep and cattle as protec- 
tion against the wolves, panthers, and bears, 
which were abundant. The women spun, 
carded, and wove the wool and flax, and manu- 
factured all the garments worn by the family. 
Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Maynard, was 
a descendant of the Choat family of Massachu- 
setts, her father having a family of thirteen 
children, nine of whom lived to be over eighty 
years of age. He himself died after more 
than fourscore years, and was buried on the 
Choat farm in Gilboa, having with his wife 
been a faithful member of the Baptist church. 

A. S. Maynard, father of the subject of this 
biography, was educated in his native town, 
and assisted his parents on the home farm 
until he became of age. He married Ophelia 
Reekie, daughter of Andrew Reekie, of Stam- 
ford, Delaware County. Her father was a 
supporter of the last Stuart pretender to the 
British crown, and came to this coimtry as a 
political refugee with a price upon his head. 
He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, 
and first met at Newburg, after Burgoyne's 
surrender, the lady who became his wife. He 
served until the close of the war, then married 
and settled in Stamford, where he resided 
until his death, at the age of ninety-four 
years. His wife survived him ten years. 
A. S. Maynard was the father of eleven chil- 
dren, seven of whom grew to manhood and 
womanliood. He was a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church, and died at the age of 
seventy-six. 

Milton H. Maynard was educated in the 
Stamford Academy, and then went to Frank- 




Milton H. Maynard 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'SO 



lin, after wliicli he l)ei;an llic study ol nicli- 
ciiie, but soon jjavo lliat up and tauglit school 
for a number of terms. About the year 1853, 
in company with .A. 15. Stimpson, he started 
a store, whicli he sold to his partner in 1857; 
and he has since been engaged in the lumber- 
ing business. 

His first marriage was in 1854 to Marie A. 
Fletcher, of Davenport, by whom he had four 
children, namely: Augustus, now a resident 
of Hancock village; Lasael A., etlitor of the 
Cliristian at Work, a paper edited in the inter- 
est of the Christian religion in New York 
City; Ida P., wife of James M. Driver, of 
Narrowsburg, Sullivan Count\", who died in 
July, 1894; Dewhurst !■"., who died in 1874, 
when seventeen years okl. The mother of 
these children died in 1863; and Mr. Maynard 
afterward married IClizabeth ¥ . Sparks, (.laugh- 
ter of Robert and I'lleanor (.Sniffin) .S|)arks, of 
Fremont, Sullivan County. Mrs. Maynard 
is the mother of four sons — lulwin I,., 
Arthur II., Carlisle M., Manton II. - all .)f 
whom live at home and assist in the manage- 
ment of their father's farm. 

Mr. and Mrs. Maynard are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church at P'ish's Eddy, 
and politically lie is a Democrat. He has 
been a Justice of Peace since 1858, ami has 
been Justice of .Sessions for two terms, still 
holding the position. A [jortrait of this use- 
ful and honored citizen, who is well known as 
a man of good business ability and of u])right 
life, graces an adjoining page. 



■UHX H. BAUMI-.S, one of Delaware 
County's enterprising farmers, [jropric- 
tor and manager for several years of 
the first steam saw-mill in Masonvillc, 
was born in Bethlehem, Albany County, 
N.Y., May 24, 1835, son of David and Maria 
(McKnab) Baumes. His parents were both 
natives of the county, where they began life 
almost with the close of that century, the date 
of his father's birth being I'ebruary 22, 1799, 
anil of his mother January 3, 1800. 

John Baumes, father of David, was of Ger- 
man descent, but was born in New York 
State. In early manhood he owned land in 
Albanv Countv, atid was engaged in its cul- 



tivation. Later he removed to .Schoharie 
County, where he dii'd at the age of seventy- 
two years. Mr. John Baumes was industrious 
and thrifty, and was a man of substance. In 
])olitics he was a Democrat, or .States' Rights 
man. He and his wife, Hannah Moshier, 
who livetl to be of middle age, had a large 
family of children, some of whom died when 
young; but eight studious sons grew to man- 
hood, and married before the\ went the wa\- 
of all the earth. 

One of these, David, named above, learned 
the carpenter's trade, and was a contractor and 
builder in the city of Albany for a number of 
years. He afterward spent a year or two in 
Cayuga County, and about five years in Scho- 
harie County, when in 1848 he. removed to 
Masonvillc, where he bought land and carried 
on geni'ral farming. In 1S56 he and his son, 
Jolm 11., who was then twenty-one \ears of 
age, bought the farm of one hundred and 
eighty acres where the latter now li\-es; and 
here he made his home during the latter part 
of his life. He died, Iiowever, during a visit 
to Schoharie County, March 8, 1867, his wife 
having died the previous year, on I'ebruary 
19, 1S66. She was a Methodist, and he a 
liberal in religion. In p(ditics, like his 
father, he was a Demdcrat. Mr. and Mrs. 
David Baumes had eight chiklren, six of 
whom grew to maturity. I'ive are now liv- 
ing, as follows: Margaret .Seel)', residing in 
.Sitlney; Angelina Bowman, in Mason\-ille: 
Louise .Smith, in Hamilton. Madison County: 
John IL, in Masonvillc: and James R. 
Baumes, a former Judge, in .Sidney. 

John H. Baumes received most of his 
schooling in .Schoharie Countw but had also 
the ach-antage of one term in Hamilton Acad- 
emy. He was thirteen 3-ears old when thi.- 
famil\- removed tn Mason\i lie : an<l he con- 
tinued to li\e with his ])arents and work for 
his father till he attained his majnritv, when 
he began farming for himself on the land of 
which he was part owner. After the death of 
his fatluT he bought out the other heirs, and 
thus acijuired sole possession of his present 
farm of one hundred and thirty acres. W'hen 
he fh'st began to work (ju the land, all but 
about five acres was covered with woods. To 
the task of clearing and improving he devoted 



i6o 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



himself with energy, sagacity, and success. 
Instead of preparing his land for the plough 
and his timber for market by the wasteful 
process of reducing the trees to ashes, he 
built a steam saw-mill; and he and his 
brother, buying two hundred and eighty acres 
more of woodland in the vicinity, were en- 
gaged profitably for about fifteen years in the 
manufacture of lumber, in which they did a 
more extensive business than any other men 
in the town, the product of the mill being ^ 
over three hundred thousand feet hemlock, j 
Having since disposed of both the mill and 
the land, he now devotes himself to the care 
of his original homestead, where he car- 
ries on general husbandry and dairying. He 
keeps twenty cows, grade Ayrshires, and has 
an average of twelve thousand pounds of milk 
a month for eight months of the year. He 
has a good farm, which is well managed and 
productive. 

On New Year's Day, 1867, Mr. Baumes 
married Mary Burnside, who was born in the 
town of Butternuts, Otsego County, January 
13, 1847, daughter of James and Louise Burn- 
side. Her father was a farmer. He died at 
the age of seventy-two, and her mother at 
forty-seven years of age. Mr. and Mrs. 
Baumes have one child, a daughter, Nellie 
Baumes, who was born March 6, 1868, and is 
a cultivated and accomplished young lady, a 
graduate of O.xford Academy in the class of 
1888. Miss Baumes has already taught fifteen 
terms of school, including one year in the 
high school. 

Mr. John H. Baumes inclines to liberalism 
in religion, and is a Democrat in politics. 
He has served as Highway Commissioner one 
year and as Assessor five years, being a man 
of unquestioned integrity and sound judg- 
ment in regard to property values. He is a 
Mason, being a member of Lodge No. 606, 
A. F. & A. M., and of Deposit Chapter, No. 
283. Although only in his sixtieth year, Mr. 
Baumes is one of the oldest settlers in this 
part of the town of Masonville, which by his 
untiring enterprise he has done much to build 
up and improve. Diligent in business, self- 
respecting and respected, he lives not for 
himself alone, but as a useful member of so- 
ciety, a valued citizen of the great republic. 



Ji 



R. MARCUS O. LANDON, den- 
tist, whose office is on Main Street, 
Delhi, posses.scs great professional 
knowledge and skill, and occupies a 
leading position among the prominent dentists 
of this part of the State. He is a native of 
this place, where he first opened his eyes to 
the light on March 15, 1859, being a son of 
David G. Landon, one of Delhi's most re- 
spected citizens, and a descendant of an hon- 
ored pioneer. Asa Landon, the father of 
David, was born in New England, and there 
spent several years of his early life. Accom- 
panied by two of his brothers, he migrated to 
this part of New York when the intervening 
country was little more than a wilderness, and 
leased a tract of wild land in Delhi, and after- 
ward reclaimed from the forest a valuable 
homestead. His brothers were equally suc- 
cessful in their pioneer labors, and the trio 
spent their remaining years in this locality. 
David G. Landon, son of Asa, was reared 
on the parental homestead, receiving as good 
educational advantages as the schools of his 
time afforded. He was a very active, enter- 
prising youth, and at the age of fifteen years 
began clearing a tract of land in Delhi. 
When at a suitable age to assume the respon- 
sibilities of a benedict, he married Mary Ann 
Dibble, the daughter of Cornelius Dibble, a 
prosperous farmer of Bovina; and they com- 
menced housekeeping in the log cabin which 
he had previously erected on his land. He 
worked with untiring industry, and, as time 
progressed, had the satisfaction of seeing the 
once heavily timbered land covered with wav- 
ing fields of grain, and the log cabin, in which 
the older children of his household were born, 
replaced by a substantial frame house. He 
subsequently sold that farm, and bought the 
one where he now lives, and has since con- 
tinued his agricultural pursuits. To him and 
his wife four children were born, namely: 
Amelia, who died when young; George A.; 
Cornelius F. ; and Marcus O. 

Marcus O. Landon spent his boyhood days 
in this town, acquiring the rudiments of his 
education in the district school, and afterward 
attending the academy. In 1876 he removed 
to Cobleskill, where he began the work of his 
profession, remaining there four and one-half 



BIOGRAPHICAL RF:V1E\V 



i6i 



years in active employ. In 1881 Dr. Landon 
returned to the place of his nativity, and was 
very soon in the possession of an excellent 
and lucrative practice. He has now, with- 
out doubt, llie largest business in dcntistr\' in 
Delaware County, and is reputed to be one of 
the leading men in his profession in the State. 
The nuptials of Dr. Lanilon and Emma 15. 
Browne were solemnized on August 6, 1885. 
Mrs. Landon is the daughter of the Rev. 
George Browne, pastor of the Presbyterian 
church of llamden, and his wife, Maria (Mc- 
Laren) Browne. Religiously, the Doctor and 
his wife are esteemed members of the Iqiisco- 
pal church of Delhi, in which he is a Vestry- 
man. In jKilitics he is identified with the Re- 
publican party; and socially he is prominent 
in the Masonic fraternity, having belonged to 
Delhi Lodge, No. 439, 'a. F. & A. M., of 
which he is Past Master. He is also a mendier 
of Delhi Chapter, No. 249, of Norwich Com- 
mandery, No. 46, and of the Scottish Rite. 




kARTlN CHURCH, wagon-maker, 
residing in Sidney, is a hearty and 
vigorous man of seventy-seven 
vears. still an active worker ;it 
his trade. His grandparents, James and Lois 
(Dart) Church, were born in Connecticut, and 
were there married. They reared a family of 
six children, all of whom were married ex- 
cepting one daughter, Nancy, who died in 
Otego, at the advanced age of seventy-two 
years. Other children were born to them, 
but were called to their heavenly home when 
young. In 1806 Mr. and Mrs. James Church 
migrated from their New PZngland home to 
the wilds of Otsego County, starting in the 
month of February or March, making the 
journey in an old-fashioned cart, drawn by a 
jjair of o.xen. On their way through the Cat- 
skill Mountains they were snowed in, and had 
to exchange their wheels for runners, fitting 
up a sled, in which they completed their tri]). 
They settled in the town of Butternuts, Ot- 
sego Count)', where their children grew to 
maturity, and where they spent their remain- 
ing years, Grandfather Church li\-ing to Ihe 
venerable age of ninety-tliree years, departing 
this life in 1857. 



The parents ot Martin, i':bene/.er, and Char- 
ity (ICmmons) Church were natives of Con- 
necticut, and were both born in tiie year 1790. 
Their union was celebrated in the town of 
Butternuts, where they afterward lived and 
labored as long as their lives were sjjared, the 
mother dying in 1871. and the father some 
seven years later. Of their four children one, 
Julia, the eldest born, died at the age of 
twelve years. Levi B. died at Butternuts in 
1866, leaving one son and four daughters. 
Isaac, a wagon-maker and a farmer, is a re- 
spected resident t)f the town of Butternuts. 
The other, Martin, as above mentioned, lives 
in .Si(hie_\-. 

Martin Church was born in Butternuts in 
1817. He received a limited amount of 
schooling in his youth, and at the age of four- 
teen years began working at the carpenter's 
trade with his father, continuing in that occu- 
pation for several years, having inherited in a 
large degree the mechanical ingenuity of his 
father and grandfather. In 1852 he began 
the trade of wagon-making, without, however, 
having served any apprenticeship. In com- 
I pany with his brother Isaac, he opened a shoj.) 
in the village of Gilbertsville: and this they 
operated in partnership until 1867. when they 
dissolved by mutual agreement. In 1870 .Mr. 
Church established his Inisiness in Sidney, 
meeting with such encouraging success in the 
first year that he resolved to make this his 
permanent abiding-place. He accordingly 
built his comfortable residence at No. 24 
Main -Street, and the sliop where he is work- 
I ing he erected in 18S9. He is a thorough- 
going business man, prospering well in his 
labors, and a valued and esteemed citizen of 
tile \-illage. 

Tiie maiden name of the wife of Mr. 
Church, to whom he was united in 184 1, was 
Huldah Ann Fairchild. She was a native of 
Otsego County, having been born in the town 
of New Lisbon, in 1820, being the descendant 
of a pioneer family of that place. She bore 
her husband six children, two of whom dietl 
in infancy, and one daughter, Marv, when 
only six years of age. Of the three children 
now living William D., now fifty-one years of 
age, is a printer by trade, and has a wife and 
one son, Daniel: Sanford E., who was named 



l62 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



for the governor of that period, a cousin of 
his father, is a railway man, and is married, 
but has no children; and Emma, the wife of 
Willard B. Ruland, has eight children. 

Mrs. Church, who was a most worthy 
woman, and trained her children to habits of 
industry and virtue, passed on to the higher 
life in 1878. In politics Mr. Church is a 
stanch Republican, having been identified 
with that party since the time of John C. 
Fremont, and, although interested in the wel- 
fare of his town, has never held any oiifice, ex- 
cepting that of Town Collector for a while in 
Butternuts. 




1\(*AJ/ILLIAM R. SW7\RT was born on 
Beeman Hill, town of Middletown, 
Delaware County, on the thirtieth 
day of January, 1821. His grandfather, 
Tunis Swart, was a farmer at Esopus, on the 
Hudson River, and had accumulated quite a 
competence when his possessions were sud- 
denly lost during the Revolutionary War, at 
the time that the village of Kingston was 
burned. Having lost his property in the pa- 
triotic cause, he received afterward a lot of two 
hundred and fifty acres from the Livingston 
tract in Delaware County, at what is now 
known as New Kingston. His father gave 
him a team and lumber wagon, also some 
farming implements, with which to begin life; 
and he bravely set forth upon the way, but, 
when he reached Delaware County, found it 
impossible to go farther until a road was 
opened from Margarettville, and here re- 
mained until a way was cut through the un- 
cleared country. When at last, after a long 
delay, he arrived at his destination, he cut 
timber, and built a log house, and commenced 
the improvenient of the land. Later he 
leased a lot on Beeman Hill, from which 
place he finally moved to the town of Ham- 
den, where he remained until his death. He 
reared the following-named children: John, 
.Samuel, William, Richard, Abraham, Anna, 
Electra, Attie, and Mary. 

Samuel Swart was born in Esopus, and 
came to Delaware County in his youth. Here 
he married Anna Beeman, a daughter of Sol- 
omon and Deborah Beeman. He bought a 



tract of eighty acres of land, doubling it by a 
later purchase, and here reared the following- 
named family: Solomon, who married Miss 
Mary J. Akerly, and had two children; Will- 
iam R. of this notice; Peter F., who married 
a Miss Drummond, and died, leaving five 
children; Attie, who married E. J. Faulkner, 
and became the mother of one child; Charles, 
deceased ; Mary, who married Peter Dela- 
mater, and died, leaving two children; Orson, 
who married Miss Gussie Decker, and had 
three children. Samuel Swart afterward 
moved to Margarettville, residing there until 
his death. He died at the age of seventy-two 
years, having served in the War of 1812, been 
a faithful Democrat, and a conscientious 
member of the old-school Baptist church. 

William R. Swart passed his boyhood at 
Beeman Hill, receiving an education at an old 
log school-house on Hubble Hill. LTpon at- 
taining his majority he began farming, and a 
year later learned the trade of carpenter, 
which for some years he plied through the 
long winters, driving stock and doing farm 
work during the summer seasons. Gradually, 
by industr)', he accumulated enough capital to 
invest in a store at New Kingston, and en- 
tered into a partnership with Isaac Birdsell, 
this being the first store of general merchan- 
dise established in that village. This enter- 
prise was sold out, however, and a similar one 
started in Margarettville, Mr. Swart engaging 
in business with his brother. Six years later 
he bought the old Drummond farm, which he 
finally sold, and purchased a dwelling in 
Margarettville. Having been successful in 
these various enterprises, he has retired from 
active business, although his services as a 
veterinary surgeon are still in demand. He is 
the owner of the handsome stallion, Pride of 
Dutchess. 

In 1842 Mr. Swart was united in marriage 
with Elizabeth Drummond. Her father was a 
progressive farmer in New Kingston, and 
lived to attain the age of eighty-four years. 
Mrs. Swart had one sister, Mrs. Henry Rey- 
nojds, of New Kingston; but both are now 
deceased. For his second wife Mr. Swart 
married Mrs. Julia E. Carpenter, widow of 
Richard Carpenter, and daughter of Abram 
Akerly, who served in the War of 1812, and 



BIOGRAPHICAL RF.VIKAV 



163 



died at the a_<;e of ninety-eight. Mr. Caipeii- 
ter passed away at the age of eighty-fdur. 

Mr. Swart is a stanch adherent of the Dem- 
ocratic part}', lie has i)een an active and 
useful citizen, has held various local offices, 
for two terms having been President of the 
village, anil has taken great interest in educa- 
tional matters, at tlie present time being a 
member of the Board ()f Education. 




Al.l.M/W C. BOOKHOL'T. In the 
annals of Delaware County the name of 
Bookhout is of frequent and honorable 
mention, and the gentleman whose name a])- 
pears at the head of this sketch is a worth)' 
representative of the first of that family to 
settle in this section of New York. Mr. 
Bookhout is a native of this county, and was 
born in the town of Roxbury, November 24, 
1 84 1. I'or many years he was identified with 
the agricultural element of Walton, and in 
the pursuit of his chosen occupatit)n amasseti 
a competence. He is a man of great energy, 
eiiterprise, and financial ability, and occupies 
an important positioir among the successful 
and influential business men of Walton. He 
is of German origin, and is a grantlson of John 
Bookhout, a pioneer of the countv. 

John ]5ookhout was born in Krakow, (ier- 
many, and emigrated to America prior to the 
Revolution, settling in the Dutch settlement 
then called New Amsterdam, now New \'ork. 
At the breaking out of the Revolutionary W'ar 
he enlisted in the service of his adopted coim- 
try. serving seven vears ; and the niusket 
which he carried during that time is still in 
the possession of one of his descendants. 
After the close of the war he married Nancv 
Smart, and the first decade of their wedded 
life they spent in Dover, Westchester County. 
Following the tide of emigration to Delaware 
Countv, they located in the town of Roxbury, 
where he was one of the first settlers. He se- 
cured a tract of timbered land, on which the 
family camiied until the customary log cabin 
was raised, and for a short tinie one end of 
that was used for a stable. .Standing at his 
cabin door, rifie in hand, iie had no trouble iii 
shooting sufficient game to fLu'nish himself 
and familv with a dinner at any time. The 



nearest grist-mill was tweue miio (U.^taiU, 
and lie frec|uently carried liis grist to and fro 
on his l)ack. He and his faitiifii! wife lived 
together for upward of sixty years; and both 
died in tlie town of Roxljury. he passing awa)' 
at the age ol eighty-twu, while liis widow sur- 
vived him, li\ing imtil the venirable age of 
ninety-four xears. The)' were tiie parents of 
nine childreri. Both were religious people, 
and were charter members of the Congrega- 
tional church of Roxbur)', of wiiich the father 
was Deacon for many years. 

William Bookhout, the father of the subject 
of this sketch, was the oldest son of his par- 
I'lits, and was born on the farm in Roxbury. 
He was a farmer by occuiiation, and in early 
manhood married Caroline Hull, a native of 
Connecticut, a ckiughter of William Hull, and 
a niece nt the world-renowned Conunodore . 
Isaac II id I. They became the parents of a 
large famil)', as follows: Nancy married 
I'rion McKay, and settled in Lenawee 
Count)', Mich., where both died. Sabra is 
the wife of I'rancis O'Connor, of Delaware 
Count)'. lilizabeth is the widow of G. W. 
Plough, and lives at Roxbury. Isaac married 
L'seba Craft, and they are residents of Rox- 
hiu')'. Marv, the widow of I'rinn .McKay, 
also lives in Roxbur)'. Tallman C. is our 
subject. Margaret died at the age of four 
years, (ieorge W., a resident of Roxburv, 
married /Xtlelia Bouton. John resides in 
Dallas, Tex. Rose died, unmarried, in 
Michigan. James, who resides in the town of 
P'ranklin, married Knmia Hall, of Walton. 
The father was a life- long and much esteemed 
resident of Roxbury, and in his political 
views was a Jacksonian Democrat. The 
iTiother lived to the advanced age of seventy- 
two years, dying on the old homestead in 
Roxbury. .She was a woman of superior char- 
acter, and a de\'oted member of the Methodist 
Lliiscojia] church. 

TalliTian C. Bookhout assisted his brother 
Jolin to obtain an education. The latter went 
to Texas, where in course of time he became 
wealthv, and paid his brother all he had ex- 
[)ended for him. He was afterward unfort- 
unate, and lost his all through the failure of a 
bank. He was fortunate, however, in having 
friends in the North who had confidence in 



164 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



him, and loaned him a few hundred dollars. 
With this money he purchased the site upon 
which the city of Dallas now stands. In the 
boom which afterward followed he made a vast 
amount of money, and is now one of the 
wealthiest men in the State. He married 
I-:ila Randall, of Dallas, where they now re- 
side, and of which city he has been Mayor. 

Tallman C. Bookhout, to whom we refer in 
this brief sketch, was reared to man's estate 
in the town of Roxbury, and received a liberal 
education. At the first call for troops he 
enlisted in defence of his country in Company 
I, Seventy-second New York Volunteer Infan- 
try, being the first volunteer from his town. 
With his regiment he served in Sickles's Bri- 
gade, and was an active and courageous par- 
ticipant in many of the most important and 
decisive engagements of the Rebellion, among 
the earlier ones being the siege of Yorktown, 
battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Seven 
Pines, and the Peninsular Campaign. He 
was stricken with fever, and sent to the David 
Island Hospital, New York, where he re- 
mained five months. He rejoined his regi- 
ment at Brandy Station, Va., and was attached 
to General Hancock's corps at the battle 
of the Wilderness, but during the second 
day's fight was wounded and left for dead 
on the field of battle, which, says Draper, 
"was throbbing with the wounded." He was 
wounded in the left shoulder and left eye, the 
ball striking his gun and being shattered, 
three pieces entering his body. 

Mr. Bookhout was a very courageous soldier 
and an expert marksman, and in relating the 
history of his army life often says that, if 
every Union man had killed as many of his 
adversaries as he did, there would not have 
been a rebel left to tell his side of the con- 
flict. Among his victims was the rebel who 
killed the Major of his regiment, Mr. Book- 
hout shooting at him six times before killing 
him, and being shot at the same number of 
times by his opponent. He was subsequently 
sent to the hospital at Fredericksburg, nar- 
rowly escaping capture on the way thither. 
This was within fifteen days of the time for 
the expiration of his term of enlistment, and 
he was offered a furlough. He proceeded as 
far as Washington on his way liome: but his 



patriotic impulses were in the ascendant, and 
he returned to Fredericksburg, starting from 
there on foot, with the hope of striking a 
train. Arriving at Fredericksburg, he found 
himself in the rear of Grant's army, and fol- 
lowed with his own regiment, which he joined 
at Cold Harbor. He went into the midst of 
the fray at that place with his arm in a sling, 
and without fire-arms, but soon procured the 
latter from the body of a dead comrade. He 
did heroic duty with his uninjured arm, prob- 
ably firing as many effective shots as others 
with the use of both. He next went with 
his company to Ream's Station, at Bermuda 
Hundred, and was subsequently at the siege 
of Petersburg, this being after his term of ser- 
vice had expired. He was also in the engage- 
ment at Weldon Railroad, afterward retiring 
from active duty, and returning home the 8th 
of July, 1864. His wound was very painful, 
and gave him much trouble, not healing for 
more than a year, and costing him about one 
hundred and fifty dollars. 

In the spring of 1866 Mr. Bookhout was 
united in the holy bonds of matrimony with 
Miss Ellen Ferris, of Ashland, Greene County, 
N.Y. Three children have been born of this 
union: Carrie is the wife of Lewis Benedict, 
of Walton, Alden is a student in Union Col- 
lege, and Sarah lives at home. In 1893 Mr. 
Bookhout retired from his farm labors, and 
removed into the village of Walton, where he 
is enjoying the pleasant leisure to which his 
previous years of toil entitle him. In politics 
he is a firm adherent of the Republican party, 
and, although not a politician, is deeply in- 
terested in local and national matters. Fra- 
ternally, he belongs to Ben Marvin Post, No. 
209, Grand Army of the Republic, and is 
prominent in Masonic circles. 



/^X, 



ARDNER L. RIDER, who died at 
Vt^^T ^"^ lio'iit-' in Masonville, N.Y., Au- 
^ — ^ gust 12, 1894, was born in the town 
of Sidney, January 8, 1828. son of John and 
Charlotte (Smith) Rider, the father being a 
native of Vermont, and the mother of Otego, 
Otsego County, N.Y. The grandfather, Gil- 
ead Rider, was a resident of Vermont, little 
being known of his antecedents. 



BIOGRAPHICAL RF.VIEW 



'6s 



Jolm RiiliT settled in Otsego Cdimty when 
a young man, and there followed the trade of 
a blacksmith, his specialty being the manu- 
facture of a high grade of scythes. He after- 
ward moved to the town of Sidney, where he 
purchased a farm of one hundred acres. This, 
however, he soon disposed of, and bi)Ught an- 
other farm of one hundred and twenty-five 
acres in the same town. He thenceforth 
turnetl his attention e.vclusively to farming, 
antl was a hard-working and successful man of 
his day. In politics he was a Democrat, but 
never aspireil to any public office. He was 
married to Miss Charlotte Smith, by whom lie 
had the following children: John G., residing 
on the old homestead in Sidney; Gilead, a 
farmer of Sidney ; Hannah, wife of Olmstead 
Flint, of Otego; Ilattie Rider, of Unadilla; 
lilvira, wife of Adelbert Houston, of Otego: 
Gardner L. ; and Charlotte, who died _\-oung. 
Mrs. Charlotte Rider dietl aged sixty-five, 
and her husband at the age of eight}'-seven. 

Gardner L. Rider was eclucated in the town 
of Sidney. He lived at home until he was 
twenty-one; and after that he worked out by 
the month for four years for one man, making 
good wages, but unfortunately losing over four 
hundred dollars of his savings bv the failure 
of his employer. In 185S Mr. Rider settletl 
in the town of Masoiiville, buying at first 
sevent)'-fi\-e acres of land and adding to it 
until he had a fine farm of one hundred and 
fifty-three acres, and carried on a large dair\' 
business, keeping about thiriv head of nati\e 
cattle. 

Mr. Rider was married, April 8, 1858, to 
Sarah E. Thom])son, who was born November 
II, 1837, in Masonville, daughter of Rufus 
A. Thompson and Prudence T^. Wells. Mr. 
Thompson was born in Otsego County, and 
his wife in Masonville, the Wells family 
being among the early settlers of the town. 
Mr. Thonii)son was a tanner in early life, his 
latter years being dexoteti to farming. He 
died in the village of .Sidney, April iS, 1890, 
aged eighty-six: his wife died November 3, 
1840, aged thirty-one. Mr. Thompson, who 
was twice married, had three children by his 
first wife and four by his second. Four chil- 
dren survive him. namely: Foster W. Thoni])- 
son. a farmer of I'.ast Sidnev: Sarah, wife of 



Gardner I.. Rider; Rufus ,\.. a ])ractisin"- 
physician of Norwich; and Mis. Fllen Fin- 
der, now residing in California. Mr. and Mrs. 
Rider had two children. Their daughter. 
ICdith L., wife of Orville Dean, a farmer of 
East .Masonville, has four children -Jessie, 
Leslie, iMank, and Ival[ih. I'rank Rider, the 
only son, resides at home with his mother. 
He married Alice Robertson, and has one son, 
Foster Thomas Riiler. 

Mr. Rider, like his wife, was liberal in his 
religious views, and in politics was allied 
with the Democratic jiarty. He possessed 
one of the best-kept farms in Mason\-ilIe. 
He was distinctly the architect of his own 
fortune, having by diligent ai)])lication, good 
jutlgment, and economy acquired the compe- 
tency which he enjo\'ed in his declining 
N'cai's. 




DMUND A. IIO\VI':S, a worthy citi/en 
of Tompkins, was born in this town 
February 27, 1857. The Howes 
family, which is of iMiglish ancestr}-, came to 
New York from Cape Coil. Edmund Howes, 
grandfather of lulmund A., was engaged in 
farming and lumbering in the town of Thomp- 
son, Sulli\an County, where he erected a 
house, which still stands. His wife was I'olly 
Fields; ami they had the following family: 
George, Hen jam in, Jesse, Samuel, Eilmund, 
Deborah, lunily, Ivlizafieth, and Jane. lul- 
mund Howes died in 1838, having ])assed the 
greater part of his life in Thompson, whei'e 
he was buried. 

Jesse, the third son, was born in Hridge- 
ville, and spent his boyhood on the hume 
farm. When about twenty-one, he started out 
for himself as a car])enter and joiner, follow- 
ing that occupation until 1850, when, in com- 
])anv with his brother George, he |)urchased a 
tract of land on the Delaware River near 
Long luldy, and here engageil in shipi)ing 
lumber to I'hiladel]:ihia. He was an excellent 
swimmer and an ex].)eit hunter, the hero of 
manv thrilling adventures. .After about eight 
years he sold his interest to his brother, and 
in 1855 inirchased a tract of one hundred acres 
of timbered land on Bullock Hill, where he 
erected a log cabin, and liegan to fell the 



i66 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



trees. He later built a frame house on the 
same site, and engaged in farming and dairy- 
ing. He married Susan Jenkins, daughter 
of Horace and Anna (Vermilyea) Jenkins, 
of Roxbury, N.Y. She is still living, 
and is greatly esteemed by all. Her father 
was in his younger days one of the most 
prominent men of his town; he now spends 
much of his time with his grand-daughter, 
Mrs. Howes. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Howes were the parents 
of twelve children, namely: Anna F., widow 
of Charles Drake, a farmer of Tompkins, who 
died in 1881, and is buried on Knickerbocker 
Hill; Loomis; Horace J., who married Ella 
A. Drake, a sister of Charles Drake; Eva A., 
who married S. L. Niles, of Tompkins; 
Hiram J., a school-teacher; Edmund A., 
whose name heads this sketch; Annetta, who 
married Jesse Gardner, a physician in Anem- 
deta, Ohio; Emily J., the wife of Frank 
Clark, a butcher of Walton, of the firm of 
Clark & Webster; Samuel, who died at the 
age of two years: Mary E., who teaches 
school on Knickerbocker Hill; Arthur R., 
who follows the occupation of a butcher; 
Helen M., wife of Frank Wells, of Mason- 
ville; Frank C, who lives on the old home- 
stead and carries on the farm. 

Edmund A. Howes was educated in the dis- 
trict schools of his native town, and when 
eighteen began to teach in Peasetown, Broome 
County. He afterward taught at Bennetts- 
villc, Chenango County, and later five terms 
in Masonville, teaching sixteen terms alto- 
gether. January i, 1883, he married Maggie 
E. Finch, daughter of Henry and Mary Jane 
(Carroll) Finch, of Sidney. The grandfather 
of Mrs. Jonas Finch was born in Cairo, 
Greene County, son of Amos and Martha 
(Parks) F"inch. Amos Finch was a Revolu- 
tionary soldier, and engaged in farming in 
Dutchess County. Jonas married Henrietta 
Lennon, who lived to be eighty-seven years 
old, and died in 1874. His son, Henry 
Finch, father of Mrs. Howes, was born June 
22, 1823, was a farmer in Masonville, but 
later bought land in Williamsport, Pa. In 
1862 he enlisted in the war, in which he 
served ten months, returning to Pennsylvania 
after peace was declared. He now resides, 



retired from active work, in Sidney. His 
wife was Mary J. Carroll, daughter of Samuel 
Carroll, of Tompkins; and she was the mother 
of twelve children: Zaccheus, who married 
Rosetta Teed, of Sidney; Sarah, wife of 
Edgar Teed, of Stevensport, Pa. ; Henrietta, 
who married Dua'ne Hand, a farmer in Morris, 
Ontario County; Louisa, wife of Robert Stew- 
art, of Sidney, who died in 1894; Anna, who 
married Warren Hodges, a farmer of Sidney; 
Maggie; Henry, who married Mary Bradley, 
of Tompkins: Emeline, who died at the age 
of sixteen; Almetta, who married James 
Hodges, of Sidney; Nora, the wife of Edwin 
Wheat, a carpenter of Sidney; Norman, who 
married Bertha Gaylord, and is engaged in 
farming in Sidney; and James. 

Mr. and Mrs. Howes have one son, Fred 
E., born June 10, 1885, who now attends 
school in District No. 7. Mr. Howes is very 
prominent in town affairs, and has held vari- 
ous offices of trust. He is Justice of the 
Peace, has been Inspector and Auditor, and 
was a member of the Republican County Com- 
mittee during the years of 1881 and 1882. 
He is a Republican in politics, and is widely 
known and esteemed. 




tembt 



,RS. JANETTE (GOODRICH) 

STODDART, widow of James .S. 

Stoddart, who died at his late 

home in the town of Croton, Sep- 

13, 1890, at the age of seventy-four 
years, is an intelligent and cultured lady, 
universally respected for her nobility of char- 
acter and kindness of heart. She is a native 
of Delaware County, and a daughter of Rich- 
ard M. Goodrich, who was born June 16, 
1786. He was educated for a professional 
life, and at an early age began his career as 
a physician, being for many years the most 
successful and popular practitioner of this sec- 
tion of the county, having an extensive prac- 
tice in the towns of Hamden and Middletown. 
He was married December 28, 181 2, to Jane 
J. Sands, who bore him six children, as fol- 
lows: Antoinette, the wife of Benjamin Mc- 
Call ; Henrietta, now seventy-seven years of 
age, and a resident of Delhi ; Janette, Mrs. 
Stoddart: Juliet, the wife of Alexander Shaw, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



■ 67 



of Delhi; Harriot, the widow of William 
Ikirgcss, of St. John, Now linmswick; ami 
Gcorgo, a resident of Delhi. 

Mrs. Stoddart received a careful home 
training and an excellent education, being 
fitted at the age of fifteen years for a teacher, 
anil for four terms was an -instructor in the 
public schools. On the 3d of April, 1S39, 
being then a maiden of eighteen years, she 
became the bride of James S. .Stoddart, an 
industrious and enterprising farmer, and a 
young man of great promise. They settled on 
a farm of their own in the town of Hamden, 
where they lived several years, prosperously 
engaged in tilling the soil. Selling that 
property at an advantage, they bought another 
farm in Walton, and managed this with the 
same untiring industry that had heretofore 
characterized their labors, and in the course 
of time amassed a comfortable competence. 
Mr. Stoddart was a man of great force of 
character. Possessing more than ordinary 
business ability, he carried on his farming 
operations in an able and scientific way, and 
was numbered among the most progressive 
agriculturists of liis neighborhood. About i 
eighteen years ago he and his wife removed to 
the present fine home of Mrs. .Stoddart in 
Croton, where he lived retired until called to 
his eternal home. He was a most e\emplar\' 
and highly esteemed citizen, and in every 
condition of life performed whatever he untier- j 
took conscientiously, and as became a man 
having the best interests of his town and 
county at heart. He was an active worker in 
religious circles, and a dcN'oted member of the 
I'resbyterian church. 

Mr. Stoddart was of good .Scotch ancestry, 
his father, William Stodtlart, having been 
born and reared in Scotland. When a young- 
man, he emigrated to America, and settled in 
Delaware County, where he was married May 
4, 181 5, to Phoebe Churchill, who was born 
in the same year as himself, 1784. He was a 
farmer by occupation, and owned a farm on 
.Scotch Mountain, where, by industry, thrift 
and strict economy, he accpiiretl a substantial 
property. During the last years of his life he 
lived retired in T^elhi. His wife survived 
him many years, and died at her home in 
Delhi, June 14, 1S57. Four children, two 



sons and two daughters, were boin to them; 
but of these only one is now living, lilsther, 
the widow of Tracey G. Rich, of Hingiiam- 
ton, N.Y. 

The union of Mr. and .Mrs. Stoddart was 
blessed by the birth of five children: Will- 
iam G., born Januar\' 11, 1S40, married Es- 
tella Rowe, and lives in Croton. Jane K., 
formerly a successful teacher, was born Janu- 
ary 29. 1843. and is now the widow of Samuel 
Holmes, of Walton. Sarah B., born in 1845, 
is the wife of Joshua Seaman, a farmer resid- 
ing in Meredith, and has two children. 
Charles A., born January 22, 1849, now a 
resident of Walton, is a widower with three 
children. Ann JCliza, born Ma\- 8, 185 1, 
married Leroy Smith, of I'ranklin; and they 
are the jiarents of three children. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stoddart were for many years 
among the most extensive and prosperous 
land-holders of the county, and owned several 
farms, their acreage aggregating some five 
hundred acres, this large propert)- being ac- 
quired mainly by their own efforts and good 
management. 




^ li:Rr<IT S. ROHfvRT.S, one of the 
most prominent and successful 

li % larniers of the town of Kortright, 
was born in that t(nvn, October 7, 
1829, and is the son of Joseph W. and Mary 
(Seel_\-) Roberts, the former a nati\'e of Kort- 
right, and the latter of Westchester County. 
The grandfather, VA\ Roberts, was born in 
Westchester County, but settled in Kortright 
in 1780, being one of the first pioneers of the 
town. He owned one of the largest farms in 
the vicinity, remaining in active charge of the 
same until his death, at the age of eighty- 
nine. Joseph W. Roberts was brought up as 
a farmer and lumberman, and purchased a 
farm of one hundred and twentv-five acres, 
the greater portion of it having to be cleared. 
He died on his farm at the age of seventy-six, 
his wife being eight\-eight at the time of her 
death. The latter was a member of the Bap- 
tist church. 

Merrit .S. Roberts was educated at the dis- 
trict school and the academy. He turned his 
attention to agricultural pursuits, managing 



1 68 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



his father's farm, and looking after his par- 
ents during their last years. He has added 
considerably to the farm since it came into 
his possession, now having three hundred and 
eighty acres under cultivation. He has built a 
halidsome residence, and his farm is conducted 
on model and practical lines. His son is as- 
sociated with him in its mangement, the firm 
name being M. S. Roberts & Son. 

Mr. Roberts was married October 20, 1852, 
to Adelia A. Brovvnell, a daughter of Isaac 
and Lucy Brownell, of Kortright. Mr. Brown- 
ell was a well-known and influential farmer of 
this town, and lived to a ripe age, being 
eighty years old at the time of his death. 
Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have two children: 
Maud, who was married in April, 1884, to 
George E. Moore, a prominent druggist of 
Oneonta, and has one child, Leona; Joseph 
I., who was married January 18, 1892, to 
Miss Grace Van Vechten, of Rensselaer 
County, and is one of the rising young farmers 
of the town. He was elected to the office of 
Justice of the Peace, which position he now 
holds, and is a member of Lodge No. 466, 
A. F. & A. M. Li politics, like his father, 
he is a Democrat. 

Mr. Roberts has been Supervisor of the 
town for two years, and has also filled minor 
town offices. ' He is a member of Lodge No. 
466, A. F. & A. M., of Oneonta, and is also 
a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Delhi 
Chapter, No. 249. Mr. Roberts is one of the 
most respected farmers in Delaware County. 
He is a man of sterling worth, giving life and 
spirit to the town of his nativity, and taking 
a deep interest in all enterprises which tend 
to promote its welfare. 




RTHUR H. ST. JOHN, M.D., repre- 
sents in a worthy manner the medical 
profession of Walton, one of the 
most prosperous and thriving towns 
of Delaware County, and socially is regarded 
as one of its most valued citizens. His na- 
tive place was at Cranbury, N.J., the date of 
his birth being May 8, 1856. He is a son of 
Isaac J. and l^lizabeth P. (Hanford) St. John, 
both of whom were natives of Delaware 
County. 



The subject of this sketch grew to manhood 
in the town of Walton, whither his parents 
had returned shortly after his birth. Soon 
after his graduation from the Walton High 
School he entered into mercantile business, 
and was subsequently employed as an agent 
for the American Express Company, running 
between Oswego and New York. From his 
boyhood, however, he had intended to become 
a physician, and, with this end in view, en- 
tered the office of Dr. J. H. Keeney, of Os- 
wego, N.Y., with whom he read medicine, 
going thence to the New York Homoeopathic 
Medical College, from which he was grad- 
uated with the class of 1892. The subsequent 
year Dr. St. John was one of the staff of phy- 
sicians connected with the Flower Hospital, 
and was afterward on the staff of the Hahne- 
mann Hospital. After spending some time in 
private practice in New York City, the Doc- 
tor located in Walton, opening his office here 
in April, 1893, and since that time has been 
in the receipt of a substantial practice. He is 
a close and thoughtful student, devoted to the 
interests of his patients, and is held in high 
respect both as a man and as a practitioner. 
He has more than an average share of the pat- 
ronage of the best people of the community, and 
his prospects for winning a position among 
the leading physicians and surgeons of this 
part of Delaware County are exceedingly good. 

The marriage of Dr. St. John and Miss 
Belle M. Snow, a daughter of Garrett Snow, 
was solemnized at Caroline Centre, Tompkins 
County, in 1876; and the young couple began 
their wedded life in Walton, which is the 
natal place of their only child, Nellietta, who 
was born in 1877. 




,ARL HERRMANN is one of the 
leading cottagers in the charming 
rural resort known as Fleisch- 
manns, situated in the mountainous 
uplands of Delaware County, the summer 
residence of a small number of select families 
well known in metropolitan life. Some years 
ago several members of the Flcischmann fam- 
ily, in seaixh of rural (piiet and picturesque 
scenery, visited this retired neighborhood, 
and, charmed with its pure air, breezy soli- 




Samuel W. Niles. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



171 



tiuU-s, and carc-l)ani.sliing inllucnccs, resolved 
that their first visit should by no means be 
their last. Accordingly, about 18S2, Mr. and 
Mrs. Louis Fleischmann and Mr. and Mrs. 
Leopold Bleicr came to the locality, and pur- 
chased a part of the old farm then owned by 
John M. lilish, Iniilding pleasant summer cot- 
tages, well adajitcd to the requirements of 
health and pleasure seekers. 'I'hev were soon 
joined by others, among them Charles 
I-'leischmann, Carl h'delheim, Mrs. Max 
I'^leischmann, Anton Seidl, Louis Josephthal, 
and Carl Herrmann. Bernard Ullman and 
Henry Mierlander added to the architectural 
beauties of the place by establishing spacious 
and picturescpie homes on the mountain side, 
Mr. Charles Fleischmann building three more 
large and tasteful dwellings. 

The grounds surrounding these attractive 
residences are exquisitely laid out, teeming 
with flowers and shrubbery, and bnjken here 
and there with convenient walks anti well- 
graded carriage drives. A large deer paik, in 
which ramble at will some choice specimens 
of their kind, adds greatly to the interest of 
the landscape. Swinmiing Pond, sup]:)licd 
with ]iure mountain spring water, is a con- 
venience that has not been forgotten ; neither 
have commodious stables and carriage houses. 
Another most interesting and luxurious feat- 
ure of tills realm of ])Ieasance is a fine riding- 
school in a magnificently equipped hall, with 
a commodious gallery, in which the friends 
of the riders can sit and watch their grace- 
lul evolutions. There are costly paintings on 
the walls, which are elsewhere tastefully 
draped with rich bunting; and four large 
chandeliers jirovide brilliant illumination for 
evening pleasures. A portable floor has also 
been provided for dancing, and an orchestra of 
skilled musicians from New York is kept in 
good practice throughout the season. The 
railroad station, a tasteful structure, erected 
by the liberality of the Fleischmanns, invites 
the attention of the passing traveller. The 
surrounding grountls attest the work (jf an 
artist in landscape gardening. 

This charming spot, whose natural beauties 
have been so enhanced by a boundless liberal- 
ity, directed by cultivated taste, is yet ' ut in 
embryo. The plans for the future are w^ell 



calculated to dwarf the acliievements of llie 
past; and in the choice and secluded settle- 
ment of ■■ l-'leischmamis,"' nestling in the 
shadow of the romantic Catskills, redolent of 
health, innocent gaiety, and cultured ease, we 
may view a jilace where sorditi cares are ex- 
cluded and the rude turmoil of life's battle 
stilled, its faint echoes only touching the 
chord of remembrance, as the reverberations 
of the swift express, with its varied freight of 
human interests, hopes, and passions, break 
softly on the air and lose themselves in the 
I'ural solitudes. 




AMUF.L \V. NILES, a retired farmer 
of .Sidney, was born in that town, 
August 23, 1816, and is the son of 
Joseph and Sally (Barstow) \iles. 
His grandfather, Ambrose Niles, a native of 
Connecticut, was a veteran of the War (jf the 
Revolution, and was draftetl in the War of 
i8[2, but hired a substitute. He came to 
Delaware County in iSio with his wife and 
two children, and, settling in the town of 
Sidne\-, look u|) a lot of land consisting of 
about one hundred and seventy-seven acres, 
ujjon which he built a log house, and later 
built the second frame barn that was erected 
in that [lart of the town. 

Joseph Xiles, son of Ambrose, was born in 
Connecticut, and taught school in that .State 
before coming to Delaware County with his 
f:ither when a young man. He here f(dliiwed 
the occupation of a farnur, and filled several 
local (jffices, being Justice of the Peace for 
some years, well known as "" .Squire Niles."' 
hokling his court in an old lug house, many 
of the lawyers coming to court on horseback, 
with their clients behind them. He and his 
wife were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: -Samuel W., the subject of this sketch: 
Clarinda. wife ot Addison Nowland, of Chi- 
cago, 111.; Lucina, who became the wife of 
Joseph Miller, and die<l at the age of fiftv-si\: 
.Mary, wife of Norval Barstow; Celinda, wife 
of C\renus Schofield : .Sarah, wife of Henrv 
l-"letcher: and Hubbard Nilos, who died aged 
eighty-one. Joseph Niles died in 1850, aged 
sevent)--one, his wife surviving him thirty 
years. 



172 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Samuel W. Niles was reared on the old 
farm, a short distance from where Sidney 
Centre now stands, receiving his education at 
the district school, which was on the farm, 
Gardner Olmstead being his first teacher. 
The school-house was of logs, and heated by 
fireplaces, the seats being made of slabs with 
pegs put in for legs. Mr. Niles had but a 
meagre chance of attending school, as most of 
his time was given to work on the farm. He 
remained at home until he was twenty-one, 
when he hired himself out to his father, re- 
ceiving one hundred and twenty dollars a year 
and his clothes and board. He was twenty- 
five when he bought a farm in Otsego 
County, on which he lived about four years, 
and then sold it and moved back to the old 
farm, purchasing that after his father's death. 
In 1874 he moved to his present residence at 
Sidney Centre. 

Mr. Niles was married October 22, 1840, 
to Susan C. Mack, who was born January 20, 
1820, at Harpersfield, a daughter of Abner 
Mack, one of the early settlers of Delaware 
County. By this union Mr. Niles had four 
children — Sarah, Edson, George B., and 
Charles. Sarah, born December 12, 1850, is 
the wife of Frederick Shaw, of Binghamton. 
Edson Niles, burn September 10, 1854, one 
of the leading merchants in Sidney Centre, 
married in 1880 Addie M. Baker, who died in 
1888, leaving two children — Ethel May and 
Robert. Mr. Edson Niles married in 1890 
Miss Cora A. Travis, by whom he has also 
two children — Susan E. and Harry. George 
B. Niles was born September 4, 1846, and 
died June 2, 1877. Charles Niles, born 
April 16, 1844, died December 23, 1888. 
Mrs. Susan C. Niles died August 25, 1884. 
On January 13, 1886, Mr. Niles married for 
his second wife Mrs. Sally Davis, a daughter 
of Israel and Susanna Kneeland. Her father 
was a native of Delaware County, and was a 
wheelwright by trade; but the latter years of 
his life were devoted to farming. He died at 
the early age of forty years, his wife, a native 
of Chenango County, surviving him thirty- 
four years, dying at the age of seventy-four. 
They had four children, two of whom are now 
living — Mrs. Niles and Mrs. Louisa Davis, 
the latter living in Masonville. Her mother 



having been twice married, Mrs. Niles has 
also k half-brother, Austin L. Welch, who 
resides in Texas. 

Mrs. Niles is a member of the Baptist 
church, and her husband is a Congregation- 
alist. In politics he is a strong advocate of 
the Prohibition party. He has been Assessor 
and Inspector of Elections, besides holding 
several other public offices, all of which he 
has filled most acceptably. Mr. Niles bears 
a high reputation for honesty and integrity, 
and both in private and public life has always 
retained the respect and esteem of his fellows. 
An excellent portrait of this representative 
citizen of Delaware County may be seen on 
another page of the "Review." 



OHN BECKWITH, a retired farmer, 
owning and occupying a pleasant home 
at DeLancey Station, was reared to 
agricultural pursuits, and has followed 
this calling with more than average success. 
His present possessions are the result of his 
own industry, while his integrity and honesty 
have served to establish him in the confidence 
and esteem of his fellow-men. He is a native 
of this great commonwealth, having been born 
in Ulster County in 1829. 

Joseph Beckwith, the father of the subject 
of this sketch, was born in Newbern, N.C., in 
1 801, and at the age of sixteen removed to 
this State, becoming a resident of Ulster 
County. He was left an orphan, without 
means, when quite young, and consequently 
was obliged to seek his own living. He 
worked out by the month at farm labor for 
several years, and by steady industry and 
strict economy saved some money. With this 
to start upon, he wedded the lady of his 
choice, Anna Ostrander, a native of Ulster 
County, their nuptials being celebrated in 
1826. In 1839, accompanied by his wife and 
four children, he came to this county, settling 
in the town of Andes, where he purchased a 
farm, on which he afterward lived and labored 
until his death in 1865. He was a man of 
enterprise and energy, meeting with prosper- 
ity in his farming operations, and leaving his 
family a good estate. His widow survived 
him several years, living to the ripe old age 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'73 



of ninety years. Both were iIlmhii mem- 
bers of the United l'resb_vterian cluirch, and 
highly esteemed members of the eonnnunit)' 
where they had for so many years made tlieir 
home. The record of the ciiiUhen i)i>rn to 
them is as follows: Maria, who is the widow 
of John Fowler; John, of whom we write; 
Margaret, who died in tlie ]:>rinie of life; 
Cornelius, a carpenter, who lives in L'lster 
County. 

John Heckwith was the second child of the 
parental household. He was reared on the 
farm, attended the district schools, and as- 
sisted his father until his marriage. He then 
became a farmer on his own account, carrying- 
on his labors in such a thorougli and skilful 
manner that his farm ])ropeity in the town of 
Andes was among the finest, in regard to 
improvements and cultivation, of any in the 
vicinity. This farm Mr. Heckwith recently 
sold for three thousaml dollars, and invested 
one thousand six hundred dollars of tiiis 
money in his present home in DeLancey. 
It contains an acre of land, sufficient to 
keep a cow and a horse, and requiring just 
enough care and labor to keep him healthy 
and happy; and, with two daughters to keep 
house for him, he is living in comtnrt antl 
ease. 

On the 1st of January, NS57, Mr. Heckwith 
married IClizabeth Nichols, who was born in 
Scotland in 1827. Her parents, Andrew and 
Margaret (George) Nichols, were farmers by 
occupation, and emigrated to this country 
with their family in 1839. Mrs. Heckwitli 
was endowed with true .Scotch habits of in- 
dustry and thrift, and ])roved herself a most 
admirable wife and conijianion. .She jiassed 
from earth to the spirit world, January 23, 
1893, leaving her devoteil husl^and and seven 
children to mourn their loss. (3f this family, 
to whom she was ever a wise counsellor and a 
loving mother, we record the following: ;\nna 
M., a successful teacher, lives at home. Hat- 
tie M., the wife of A. K. Worden, a farmer of 
Andes, has four children. Joseph, an insur- 
ance and real estate dealer in Walton, has had 
the misfortune to break i)nc of his legs three 
times; but, notwithstanding the fact that he 
is lame, and not in particularly good health, 
he is managing a very successful business. 



David A., a resident ni Inw.i, wjhm- ne 
is in the employ of a railway compan\', is 
married and has a son and daughter. Cor- 
nelius, a carjienter. lives in Missouri. Jane 
lives at home. William, also a carpenter, 
is in Missouri with his brother Cornelius, 
where both are working prosperously at their 
trade. 

Mr. Heckwith is a sound J-iepublican in 
his political views. The United Presbyterian 
church finds in him a consistent member. 




[t)f^ R rilUR J. GANOUNG, a substantial 
iti/.en of his native town, R".\bur)', 
where he was born I'ebruary 2, 
1864, is of h'rench descent and ]ia- 
triotic ancestrv. His paternal grandfather, 
James Ganoung, who was born in Putnam 
County, New York, came to Butternuts in 
Delaware Count}' while in the first vigor of 
maidiood. Here he tried to settle, and clear 
up a tract of land that was, like a great deal 
ot the suri'ounding country, almost a wilder- 
ness. Hut the Tories, who were jealous of 
the prosperit\' and increasing strength of the 
rebel element, dro\e him from his humble ami 
toil-won home; and the young pioneer re- 
turned to Putnam County. Both lie and his 
brothel- John served in the Re\-oIutionary War 
as minute-n-ien. 

Afti'i- the war the two brothers were olfered 
a tract of two hundred acres of huul at Batavia 
Kill, as an incentive to settle there and farm 
the wild and uncu.ltivated land of that section. 
This offer was ;iccej)ted; and tlie brothers had 
soon erected a log cabin, and were making- 
brave efforts to establish a home, though the 
danger from the wild animals of the forest, 
the discomforts of the necessarily jjriniitive 
mode of existence, the long winters, and 
extreme isolation made the life very hard, 
almost impossible. Here James Ganoung 
n-iet and married Miss Deborah Jenkins, 
the daughter of one of the early settlers: 
and here they lived the first years of their 
married life. As old age approached, they 
considered it wise to change their location; 
so the farm w-as sold, and a new home was 
established in Roxbury. They became the par- 
ents of eight children; namely, Jason, Isaac, 



174 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Arion, Smith, Abraham, Charles, Rachel, and 
Polly. 

Arion, the thinl son of James and Deborah 
Ganoung, was educated at the district school. 
At the age of twenty-six he bought a farm, 
owned now by Holsight. . He was married in 
the following year to Priscilla Redmond, 
daughter of John and Martha (Powell) Red- 
mond. Her father, who lived on a farm near 
Griffin's Corners, was a member of the Bap- 
tist church, and was a loyal Democrat 
throughout the varying vicissitudes of his life 
of eighty years. Arion Ganoung was also a 
Democrat in politics. He had the confidence 
of the community, and held the office of As- 
sessor in the town of Roxbury. 

Arthur J. Ganoung, son of Arion and Pris- 
cilla, was educated at Roxbury College, and 
at eighteen made himself a master of teleg- 
raphy, which he followed as a vocation for 
several years in different places, returning in 
September, iSgo, to Roxbury, where he has 
since been employed as freight and express 
agent. His home is near the railway station. 
Mr. Ganoung married Libbie Richtmeyer, 
daughter of Jacob Richtmeyer, a carpenter and 
contractor of Middlctown. Mrs. Ganoung is 
a member of the Lutheran church. Like his 
father, Mr. Ganoung affiliates with the Demo- 
cratic party. 



and. 



[OHN KLING, agent and manager of 
the branch dry-goods store -of Frank 
Barclay, of Amsterdam, N.Y., is a 
wide-awake, energetic business man, 
although young in years, has already 
obtained a good start in life, and is numbered 
among the rising young men of the village of 
Walton. He comes of excellent Holland an- 
cestry, and was born in the town of Perth, 
Fulton County, N.Y., April 8, 1869, being a 
son of Peter A. and Phyllis Ann (Banker) 
Kling, the former a well-known contractor 
and builder of Amsterdam. The parents are 
both members of the Baptist church, and po- 
litically Mr. Kling casts his vote with the 
Republican parly. 

The subject of this brief biographical 
record received the elements of a good educa- 
tion in the TTnirtn School at Amsterdam, and, 



being remarkably ambitious and industrious, 
secured employment as a clerk in a dry-goods 
store, thus spending his evenings and vaca- 
tions from the time he was seventeen years 
old until nineteen years of age. He has 
since then continued his mercantile career, 
and during the past two years has been em- 
ployed by Frank Barclay, as before mentioned. 
In January, 1894, Mr. Kling opened the 
branch store in Walton, and in this new 
enterprise has met with encouraging success, 
his honorable and upright dealings, his fidel- 
ity to the interests of his employers, and his 
genial and courteous manners securing for 
him a good patronage. 

April 28, 1892, Mr. Kling was united in 
the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Jennie 
Cramer, of Amsterdam, a daughter of William 
and Emma (McConnell) Cramer. On the 
maternal side Mrs. Kling is of Scotch ex- 
traction, her grandparents having been born, 
reared, and married in Scotland. They after- 
ward emigrated to this country, stopping 
awhile in Albany, and going thence to Can- 
ada, where the grandfather engaged in the 
mercantile trade as a tobacconist. In Canada, 
near the town of Coburg, occurred the birth 
of their daughter Emma, the mother of Mrs. 
Kling. On the paternal side Mrs. Kling is 
of German descent, her great-grandfather hav- 
ing been a native of Germany, and her grand- 
father, Henry Cramer, a native of the Empire 
State. Her parents are esteemed residents of 
Amsterdam, where they are living retired from 
active labor. They have a family of three 
children: William H., who is engaged in the 
grocery business, lives in Amsterdam; Emma, 
who is an able instructor in the public 
schools; Jennie, Mrs. Kling, who has been 
engaged in the millinery business for some 
years, and since coming to Walton has con- 
tinued her occupation, her millinery parlors 
being in the store with her husband. She 
has a well-supplied stock, and displays much 
artistic ability, her talent being recognized by 
her large number of patrons. 

In religious matters Mr. and Mrs. Kling are 
not entirely of one mind, he being a member of 
the Baptist church, in which faith he was reared, 
while Mrs. Kling worships at the Presbyterian 
church, of which she is a valued member. 



mOGRAl'lIICAL REVIKW 



17s 




|;R0MK WHIPPLE, a successful farmer 
and dairyman of Kortri^ht, Delaware 
1<JJI County, of which town he has lon^' 
been a jirominent citizen, was born in 
Roxbury, March 17, 1853. His grandfather, 
Abram Wliipple, was a native of Vermont, 
where lie followed the tiade of blacksmith. 
He was a pioneer of Ro.\bur\', Delaware 
County, and there resided until his death, 
which took place' wlu-n he was eighty }'eai's 
old. He was a liberal-minded man, a Repub- 
lican, and was the father of se\en children. 

His son Daniel, the father of the subject of 
this sketch, was born in X'ermont, but grew to 
manhootl in the town of Ro\bur\', wiiere he 
engaged in farming. In 1S65, tlisposing of 
his farm of one lunulred acres there, he re- 
moved to Kortright, and purchased the farm 
of three hundred and twentv-two acres which 
is now occujiied by his son Jerome. Daniel 
Whipple was a hai'd worker and progressive 
farmer, and resided on the farm at Kortright 
until his tleath, at eigiit)-seven vears of age, 
his wife, Maria Chandjcrlin Whi]i])le, dying 
at the age of sixtN-five years. He was a Re- 
publican in [wditics, aiul both he antl his wife 
were devoti'd members of the iMethodist Epis- 
copal church. They were the parents of eight 
children, all of whom are living: Mrs. Jane 
Nesbitt, of .Stamford; Jerome; Mrs. Emma 
Goodsell, of Meredith; George, living at 
Rose's Brook; Mrs. Anna Lamport, of .Stam- 
ford; Abram, of ]'"ergusonville, Delaware 
County; Libbie, who lives at home; and Mrs. 
Sarah Nesbitt, of Ferguson vi He. 

Jerome Whijjple rt'moved to Kortright with 
his parents when but twelve years okl, and, 
after receiving the education afforded by the 
district school, gave his attention to farming, 
always living at home, where he took charge 
of the farm, and ministered to his ]>arents in 
their old age. On December 5, 1S8S, he 
married Miss Mary Mehaffy, a natix'e of Kort- 
right, and daughter of Benjamin and Mary IC. 
(Storie) Mehaffy, the former of whom is a 
farmer, now residing in Iowa. The latter 
died in the prime of life. Mr. and Mrs. 
Whipple have one child, Blanche M., who 
was born March 22, 1890. 

Just before his marriage .Mr. Wiiipple |)ur- 
chased the old homestead consisting of three 



hundred and tweiii_\ -twn .u u s. jim utiw h.in 
under his control four hundred and ninety-fu'e 
acres, part of which he ri-nts. His farm is 
under excellent cultivation, and tiie ilair\' is a 
very extensive and joroductive one, comprising 
sixty-five milch cows of finest Jersey breed. 
.Mr. Whipple has in all one hundred head of 
stock, employing two men throughout the 
year. His home is a most coirifortable one, 
situated in the Delaware River Valley among 
the Catskill Mountains. The family attend 
tile Uniteii Presbyterian church. .Mr. Whi])- 
])le is a stanch Republican. He is an indus- 
trious man, with remarkahic l)usiness cpial- 
itications, am! is emineiUl}' successful in 
whatever enterprises he undertakes. 




ICTOR FINCH, a jirominent citizen of 
Tom[ikins, Delaware County, N.V., 
was born September 12, 1820, in 
Lexington, Greene Countv. The ancestors of 
Mr. I'^incli came from Holland to America 
with the early settlers of this countr_\-, and the 
family has been known in its history since 
that time. 

Amos I'inch, laliier of \'ictor, was born in 
Lexington in 1794, and died in 1868. After 
engaging in farming in his native town for 
many years, he disposed of his [iroperty there, 
and purtdiased a tarm in Maryland, Otsego 
Count\-, where he lived for some time, subse- 
c]uently rt'moving to a farm that he bought in 
Tijmpkins. After the death of his wife his 
evesight tailed; and he gave his ])roi)ert\' to 
his sons, passing his last days at the liome of 
his son Victor, where he died November 16. 
1868, at the age of seventy-four vears. He 
was buried in tiie cemeterv at Trout Creek. 
His wife was Polly Merwin, also a native of 
Lexington; and she was the mother of six 
children — Lura, \'ictor, .Sanuiel, I-anmeline, 
Debias, and Wilson. Mrs. Polly M. ITnch 
was herself the eldest of a family of fourteen 
children, of whom her brother, David Merwin, 
of Ilensonville, now in his sevent}'-ninth \'ear. 
is the only survivor. His eaidiest ancestors 
in this countrv came from W'ales. His pa- 
ternal grandfather, his father, and his uncle, 
Daniel .Merwin, came to New 'S'ork from Wal- 
lingford. Conn., soon after the Revolution. 



>76 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



crossing the Hudson on a raft of their own 
construction, and travelling thirty miles, 
mostly by blazed trees, through a howling 
wilderness. They took up a tract of land in 
Greene County, where the father of Mrs. 
Finch cleared a small piece of land, sowed it 
with wheat, built a log house, and then went 
back to Connecticut, and married Thankful 
Parker, who returned with him to the new 
home, where their children were born. 

Victor Finch passed his boyhood in Tomp- 
kins, attending the district school, and help- 
ing with the farm work. When seventeen he 
went to work for a Mr. Palmer, learning the 
carpenter's trade, and at twenty-one started 
out in life for himself, engaging in lumbering 
and farming. When he was thirty-five years 
of age, he purchased a farm in Manchester, 
Wayne County, Pa., where for fourteen years 
he engaged extensively in his old occupation 
of farming and lumbering. Selling his prop- 
erty there, he purchased in 1856 the farm 
where he now resides, comprising one hundred 
and eighty-six acres. Besides raising crops 
and making maple sugar, he also operates a 
large dairy, keeping forty-five cows, doing 
much of the work of the place himself. He is 
strong and hearty, was never known to be ill 
in all his life, and, although seventy-four 
years of age, is as active and energetic as 
when much younger. 

January 30, 1855, Mr. Finch married Sarah 
E. Taylor, daughter of James and Clementina 
(Harse) Taylor. Both of Mrs. Finch's par- 
ents were born in Winford, Somersetshire, 
England, where they were married, four chil- 
dren being born in England, two of whom 
died in that countr}-. In 1828 they sailed for 
America with their two children in the ship 
"Cosmo," the voyage occupying sixteen weeks 
and four days. The passage was an unusually 
rough one, the good ship being twice blown 
off the coast ; but. after much suffering and 
narrow escape from shipwreck, .the family 
reached New York City and settled on a small 
farm where Jersey City is now situated. For 
three years they lived there, and then moved 
to Honesdale, Pa., which contained at that 
time but one log house. The journey from 
the old home to Honesdale was made on foot 
with the children on their backs, a man driv- 



ing an ox team containing all their worldly 
goods. The country to which they immi- 
grated was a barren wilderness, abounding in 
wild animals, and was not particularly pleas- 
ing to Mr. Taylor. He accordingly removed 
to a tract called the French Woods, in 
Delaware County, N.Y., and here erected a 
bark cabin, in which he lived until able to 
build a log house. He proceeded to clear 
land on what is now called the Rolland 
farm, near Sand Pond, which is one of the 
largest in French Woods. Several years later 
he sold this property, and went to Bouchon- 
ville in the same county, where he carried on 
a hotel, which he afterward sold to purchase a 
farm in Manchester, Wayne Count}', Pa. Ten 
years later he disposed of this, and bought a 
farm near Lordville, Delaware County, consist- 
ing of one hundred and three acres; and here 
he lived until his death, which occurred Jan- 
uary 14, 1871, the result of injuries received 
by being struck by the cars near his home. 
His wife died one year later, in 1872, and 
they sleep side by side in the cemetery at 
Lordville. 

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were the parents of 
ten children: John and Michael, born in Eng- 
land; Mary Ann, Nathaniel, Sarah E., 
Henry, and William, born in French Woods; 
Bessie, born in Bouchonville; and two others,' 
who died in England. In 1848 Mr. Taylor 
again crossed the ocean, the death of his 
father, without a will, making his presence 
necessary in the settlement of the property. 
The passage over occupied three weeks; and 
the return trip, being very stormy, occupied 
seventeen weeks, both voyages being made 
in the ship "Rappahannock," of Liverpool. 
Mr. Taylor being the eldest son, and his 
father a wealthy farmer, his portion of the 
estate amounted to a comfortable fortune. 
His daughter, Mrs. Finch, was born July 14, 
1837, in French Woods, and passed the early 
part of her life in Lordville, attending the 
district school, and residing with her parents 
until her marriage. 

Mr. and Mrs. Finch are the parents of three 
children: Alva Wilson, born October 16, 
1856; William L., born May 4, i860; Elmer 
E., born February 6, 1S63. All are natives 
of Manchester, Wayne County, Pa., and at- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'7; 




tcndetl tlic district sciioul on Knickcrboci<cr 
Hill, assistiiii;- their parents on the liomc 
farm. Tlie son, A. Wilson, married Susan 
Brown of Tompkins; and they have one cliild, 
Ava, born January 30, IcSqi. William L. 
Finch died July 19, 1862, at the age of two 
years; and Elmer works on the old home farm 
with his father and brother. Mr. Finch is 
profoundly respected for his upright character 
and honorable dealinsrs. 



ROFESSOR WILLIS I). GRAVES. 
Delaware Academy, located in Delhi. 
[19 is fortunate in havijig for its princi- 
pal Willis D. Graves, a man of lib- 
eral culture and great executive ability. 
Under his wise regime of the past ten years 
the number of students has increased, the 
standard of scholarship greatly ach'anced, and 
many beneficial changes and improvements 
been made. Delaware Academy since its in- 
ception has been regarded as the leatling in- 
stitution of its kind in this section of the 
State, and its high rei)utation and usefulness 
as a classical institute grow steadih' from year 
to year. It was established in pursuance oi 
an act of the legislature passed Ajiril 12, i8ig, 
which appropriated six thousand dollars, the 
proceeds of a Tory estate, for the purpose of 
establishing an academy in Delaware County. 
The academy was incorporated by the regents 
of the universit\', I'ebruary 12, 1820; and the 
first building was erected upon lands given 
by (ieneral ICrastus Root, who had been in- 
strumental in obtaining the appropriation. 
Judge Ebenezer Foote was President of the 
first Board of Trustees, Colonel Amasa Parker 
the first Secretar}-, ancl John A. Savage the 
first Principal of the academv. 

I-"rom the start this school hatl a successful 
career; and, having outgrown its accommotla- 
tions, in 1856 a new academy and twf) board- 
ing halls were built. Recenth- the boarding 
deiiartment has been enlarged, but is yet too 
small to accommodate all applicants. In 
1S93 the number of stutlents registered 
reached two hundred and twenty-three, and 
the representation of the school greatly ex- 
tended, the non-resident attenilancc number- 
ing one hundred and twenty-six. No other 



academic school in this section of the .State 
approaches such an attendance of pupils from 
a distance, and few similar schools in the en- 
tire State of New York report such a non- 
resident attendance. During the past decade 
o\er ten thousand dollars has been expended 
in beautifying the grounds and in adding to 
the comfort and equipment of the buildings. 
Among the valuable accessories of the school 
is a library of two thousand \-olumes, an ex- 
tensive collection of apparatus, a thoroughly 
furnished gymnasium, and every convenience 
for efficient work. The work of the school is 
mostly academic, although both a preparatory 
and primary department are sustained. The 
regents' courses of study, the only recognized 
courses for graduation, are lil)eral and progres- 
sive, fitting the students in the most thorough 
manner for Princeton, Yale, Vassar, and other 
colleges, and for life work. 

The faculty of this academy consists of a 
cor]>s of thorough educators, who devote their 
entire attention to the best interests of the 
school. Lender their tuition students who 
have matriculated at various colleges have be- 
come distinguished scholars. One of the stu- 
dents of the academy recently won a three 
years" fellowship at Yale College, and re- 
ceived the degree of Ph.D. at the age of 
twenty-one years. Another obtained the 
Mental .Science fellowship of six hundred 
dollars at Princeton College. One is instruc- 
tor of Latin in the Hartford High School, and 
another holds the Chair of Oratorv in Cornell 
Lhiiversity. Rei)orts ha\c come back from 
the following-named colleges wherein iJclhi 
Academy students have distinguished them- 
selves, testifying to the thorough preparation 
received in this school: Yale, Cornell, 
Princeton. \'assar. Wellesley, Hamilton. 
Aliddlebury, Westminster, and I-'lmira Female 
College, besides from the law, medical, and 
normal schools of the State. Aside from the 
academic course, Professor Gra\es has main- 
tained a kindergarten course, in which about 
twenty children are taught: and a practical 
course in book-keeping is included within the 
regular course. Special courses are given in 
music, drawing, and painting, these special 
studies being under the supervision of thor- 
ough and accomplished instructors. 



'78 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Professor Graves is a native of the Empire 
State, having been born in Bainbridge, Che- 
nango County, August i8, 1S56, the eldest of 
four children born to Gaylord S. and Harriet 
E. (Pettys) Graves. His father was a suc- 
cessful business man, who, having amassed a 
competence during forty years in which he 
was engaged in the furniture business, is now 
enjoying well-earned leisure from the active 
pursuits of life. Professor Graves as a boy 
was an ambitious student, and, after leaving 
the public school, attended the academies of 
Afton and Bainbridge. He subsequently 
spent four years as a teacher in the schools of 
Chenango and Broome Counties, afterward 
taking a full course of study at the normal 
school in Albany, from which he was grad- 
uated in 1879. In August of the same year 
he accepted the principalship of the Bain- 
bridge Union School and Academy, a position 
which he retained six years, winning in the 
mean time a reputation as an instructor of rare 
ability and merit. In 1885 he leased the 
Delaware Academy at Delhi, which under his 
efficient administration occupies a front rank 
among similar institutions of the kind in the 
State. 

Professor Graves was united in marriage in 
1880 to Miss Elizabeth M. Rexford, an ac- 
complished young woman of superior mental 
attainments, who was graduated from Vassar 
College with the class of 1877, receiving the 
degree of A.B. She is a member of the fac- 
ulty of the academy, being the instructor in 
Latin and German. Professor and Mrs. 
Graves are both members of the Second Pres- 
byterian Church, and active laborers in de- 
nominational work. 




|ZRA H. HAIT, an estimable citizen of 
Stamford, N.Y., was born in this town, 
on Rose Brook, December 26, 1823, 
son of Stephen and Betsy (Lyon) Halt. 
Stephen Hait was born in South Kortright in 
the town of Stamford, and his wife was born 
on Rose Brook in the same town. His father, 
lizra Hait, who was born in Connecticut, in 
1790 moved to this county, and settled in 
Stamford in the Delaware River Valley. He 
bought a tract of wild land, built a log cabin, 



and then, returning to his native State, was 
there married. As soon as practicable he 
took his wife to their new home. The jour- 
ney was made on horseback, which was then 
about the only way of travelling; and a hard 
and somewhat perilous trip it must have been, 
for wild animals, which are now seldom 
found, then abounded in the country. 

Catskill was the main market for the wheat 
crop, and four days were consumed in going 
thither and coming back. The grist had to 
be taken to Schoharie to be ground. It must 
have required great courage and fortitude to 
live under these discouraging conditions. To 
be sure, deer, bears, and smaller game 
abounded in the forests, but so did prowling 
panthers and wolves; and, had not the pio- 
neers been men and women of dauntless dar- 
ing as well as sturdy workers, their hearts' 
must have failed them. Mr. Hait owned a 
good farm, raised flax, and kept sheep, so that 
the family spun and wove their own linen and 
wool and dressed in this homespun cloth, 
which is now seldom if ever seen. He 
bought in the first place one hundred and fifty 
acres, but added to it till at one time he 
owned about four hundred acres. He was one 
of the well-to-do men of the town, and was a 
Presbyterian in religious views. He died on 
the old homestead, March 11, 1849, at eighty- 
nine years of age, and his wife, April 16, 
1839,' when sixty-three years of age. They 
had five children, all of whom grew to matu- 
rity; but none are now living. Their names 
were Lydia, Betsey, Patty, Stephen, and 
Daniel. 

Stephen Plait, the elder of the two sons 
of Ezra, grew to manhood in the town of 
Stamford, and there resided throughout his 
life. He was well known as Captain Stephen 
Hait, was a farmer owning a good farm at 
Rose Brook, and was a practical and success- 
ful man in business. In 1820 he married, 
and moved in that same year on to his farm 
of one hundred and thirty-seven acres, the 
greater part of which he had to clear himself; 
and here he lived until his death. His first 
wife died August 3, 1837; and he was again 
married to Betsy Patterson. They were both 
members of the Presbyterian church; and he 
was a Whig in politics, and was Collector of 



I5IOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



■79 



his town. They both lived to a good old age. 
He diet! when about eighty years old. The 
three children by the first marriage were the 
following: ICzra II., tlie subject of this 
sketch; Mrs. Mary L. Ryer, widow of the 
late George W. Ryer, a farmer; Mrs. Louisa 
li. W'akeman, who was born in 1829, ami died 
in i860. The tliree by tiie second marriage 
were: I.ydia E. Scott,, wlio resides in North 
Kortright; Isaac Menry, wiio resides on Rose 
Brook; and .Martin K., who lives on the old 
homestead. 

Ezra II. Ilait grew to manhooil in the town 
of Stamford, and receiveil his education in the 
district schools of that town. He lived umler 
the parental roof until aliout thirty-six \ears 
of age, and assisted in carrying on the work of 
the iiome farm. He bought liis fust land, a 
tract of se\ent\-five acres, in tJie Delaware 
Valley: and this he still holds. About 
thirty-four years ago he bought the land where 
he now resides, being one of the oldest set- 
tlers in this part of the town. All inijirove- 
ments and additions have been made by him. 
and he now lias one of tlie best farms in the 
valley. He is a practical farmer, and suc- 
cessfully carries on a dair}' of twenty head of 
Jerseys. He has in all about one hundred 
and fifty acres of land, good farm buildings, 
and a fine dwelling. He also owns real estate 
in Alnieda, and was one of the ]nime movers 
in having the .South Kortright railway station 
established. His wife was a member of 
the United Trcsbyterian churcli, and he is 
liberal in religious views and politically a 
Democrat. 

On May 18, 1859, he married Nancy Nes- 
bitt, daughter of George Nesbitt. -She was 
born December 28, 1829, in the town of 
Stamford, on Rose Brook. Mrs. Halt died 
when si.xty-one years of age, July 28, 1890. 
They liad one son, .Stephen, born October 12, 
1865, wlio now resides witii his father, and is 
practically the mainstay of the i)lace, having 
full charge, and carrying on the business. 
On February 3, 1892, he married Katie Hilts, 
who was born in Sclioharie County; and they 
have one son, F,7.ra Hilts Halt, born October 
28, 1893. Thev are both members of the 
United Presbyterian church, and in politics 
he follows the principles of the Democratic 



part)'. He is om- ni im- ii^m^ \<p\mi- i.iniH-is 
of the town, and, like liis father, lias shown 
nnich interest in public affairs. 




];0RGE I. TRICVZ is known to every 
resident of Butternut tJro\e as an 
enterprising and successful mer- 
chant of that place, doing an extensive and 
varied business. He is the son of Hein\- and 
Louisa (.Mall) Trcyz, antl was l)orn in Brook- 
lyn, N.Y., May 11, 1S65. His father be- 
longs to that class of foreign-born citizens 
who are in the front rank of progress, and wlio 
have the highest apiireciation for the freedom 
and institutions of our country, having come 
here to share its privileges and help to mould 
its destiny. The same might also be said of 
his maternal gr.uidfather, who was a native of 
France. 

Henry Treyz was born July 3, 1S42, in 
Ulm. (iermany, and, coming to this country 
in his early manhood, worked at his trade of 
brewer in New Jersey and other places. At 
length, giving up that occupation, he bought 
in Fremont Centre, .Sullivan County, N.V., a 
farm of one hundred acres, which he has im- 
proved in every possible way. He keeps a 
choice dairy of fifteen Jersey cows, besides a 
large flock of sheep; and everything about the 
place is in a most prosperous condition, the 
farm being finely located near the village. 
His wife, Louisa, was a daughter of John C. 
Mall, who was born in I-" ranee, and was son of 
a Protestant minister, the Rev. Christian 
Mall. John C. Mall raised a family of seven 
children — Louisa, Lewis, Caroline, Gottfried, 
John, Henry, Maggie. 

Henry and Louisa Treyz are also the par- 
ents of seven children, of whom the following 
may be recorded: John, born February 26, 
1863, married Ro.sa Holtzman, and has three 
boys, who live with him at Peakville, Dela- 
ware County. George I. is the subject of 
this biography. Gottleib IL, born June 25, 
1867, married Lena Bach, has three bovs, and 
also lives at Peakville. Lewis A., born Jul_\- 
2, 1869, married Agatha Keen, has one son, 
and lives at Sherman, Pa. William IL, born 
July 12, 1S72, lives at Butternut Grove. 
August, born September 21, 1S74, lives at 



i8o 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Sherman, Pa. Maggie L., born September 
17, 1876, is still at the parental home. 

George I. Treyz, when but eleven years old, 
was obliged to leave school and begin to earn 
his own" living. He was, however, so eager 
to be more than a mere laborer that he applied 
himself to his studies in the evenings after 
his daily work in the coal-yard was over, and, 
with a determination which was worthy of the 
object, acquired habits of application and 
gained knowledge which may be said to have 
been the foundation of his future success. 
Step by step he went on till he was enabled to 
start in business at Butternut Grove with a 
little store in one room, and keeping a small 
line of groceries. He gradually enlarged his 
stock until now he has the extensive business 
that may be seen to-day, including everything 
in the line of general merchandise, furniture, 
and many outside branches. He also handles 
all the coal used at this station, besides deal- 
ing largely in lumber and in stone. He em- 
ploys four clerks in his retail department and 
several other men outside. William Treyz, 
his brother and his chief clerk in the store, is 
a man of much business ability and tact, and 
one who has made himself a great favorite by 
his courteous and pleasing address, good judg- 
ment, and quick appreciation of the wants of 
his patrons. Both William and George are 
Republicans in politics, as was their father 
before them. 

At the age of twenty-seven George I. Treyz 
was married to Amanda, daughter of David 
and Sarah (Frisbee) Minkler. Mr. and Mrs. 
Minkler live at Fremont Centre, where they 
have a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. 
Besides Mrs. Vreyz they have one other daugh- 
ter, Martha, wife of Milton Crandall, and 
mother of two sons. Mr. and Mrs. Treyz 
have one child, Frank M., born June 16, 

1893. 

Mr. Treyz is a tradesman with whom his 
customers are glad to deal, being characterized 
by uprightness in all his business transac- 
tions, and keeping a class of goods that give 
satisfaction. He is a self-made man, having 
since his early youth made his own way in 
the world. He is well w^orthy of the high 
esteem in which he is held by his fellow- 
citizens. 



SEANDER H. MAXWELL, senior 
member of the firm of Maxwell & 
^ Son, liverymen of Delhi, is notice- 
able for his business capacity and 
enterprise. He has been a life-long resident 
of this town, where his birth occurred on De- 
cember 17, 1837, and is especially worthy of 
representation in this biographical work as 
being the descendant of one of the honored 
pioneers of the place. 

His grandfather, Joshua Maxwell, emi- 
grated from Connecticut to Delaware County, 
and was among the earliest settlers of Delhi. 
He bought a tract of land; and amid the 
giant trees of the forest he reared his humble 
log cabin, and began from the wilderness to 
wrest a farm. He labored untiringly, being 
encouraged and assisted by his brave pioneer 
wife, and in the course of time was able to 
harvest fields of golden grain. A few years 
later and the improvements on the place were 
still more marked, the log cabin, in which 
many of his children were born and reared, 
having given place to a substantial frame 
house, flanked by a capacious barn and good 
out-buildings. On the homestead which he 
cleared he spent his remaining years; and 
there his first wife, too, closed her eyes upon 
the scenes of earthly life. Three children 
were born of his first union, the second being 
a son, Gurdon P., who became the father of 
the subject of the present sketch. His sec- 
ond wife bore him five children. 

Gurdon P. Maxwell was born in Delhi, and 
in its pioneer schools gleaned his early knowl- 
edge of books. As soon as he was old enough 
to handle a hoe or drive oxen, he naturally 
found plenty of work on the home farm, where 
he remained until of age, when, following the 
example of his father, he bought a tract of 
land which was still in its virgin wildness. 
In the first space that he cleared he erected a 
small log house, and in this began his married 
life. As time sped on, he became the owner 
of a well-cultivated farm, with a substantial 
set of frame buildings, and had a fine family 
of girls and boys growing up about him. On 
this homestead he and his beloved companion 
spent their many years of wedded life, he 
passing away at the age of seventy-two years, 
and she at seventy years. His wife, known 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



in her girlhood days as Mlizabcth Mall, was a 
native of the Empire State, and tlic daughter 
of Adam Hail, who some years after his mar- 
riage became one of the first settlers of Delhi. 
Eight chihlren were liorn of the union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Gurdon 1'. Maxwell, as follows: 
Robert C, George IE, Eeander IE, Joshua 
G., William IE, Prudence E., Aranetta, and 
Hannah M. Both parents were sincere and 
faithful members of the Christian church. 

Eeander IE Maxwell was born and leared 
on the parental homestead, and in the schools 
of his neighborhood received a practical drill 
in the three R's, the fundamental studies. lie 
afterward worked on the farm with his father 
until he was nearly thirty years of age, then 
rented a farm, which he carried on for three 
years with excellent results. Not making up 
his mind to follow agricultural work for life, 
he then went to work for Mr. Roberts, in the 
village of Delhi, as foreman in a livery stable. 
In 1S70 Mr. Maxwell bought his present liv- 
ery, boarding, feeding, and sale stable, which 
he has since managed with satisfactory finan- 
cial success. El 1890 he admitted his son to 
an interest in the establishment, and business 
is now carried on under the firm name of Max- 
well & Son. 

The union of Mr. Maxwell and Miss Sarah 
Roberts was solemnized in 1865. Mrs. Max- 
well is a native of Andes, being the daughter 
of William Roberts, who came from England 
to Andes, where he carried on the shoemaker's 
trade for many years. His wife's maiden 
name was Moss, and she bore him three chil- 
dren. Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell are the parents 
of two children, I'anny and Clark. I'^anny 
married Albert Robinson, foreman in Ar- 
buckle's mills; and they have one child, 
Grace. Clark, who is now in partnership with 
his father, was educated in the district school 
and academy, and began his business career as 
a clerk in the grocery store of George MclMur- 
ray, remaining in his emj^loy about a year. 
He then began working for his father; and in 
1890 he bought an interest in the business. 
On February 2S, 1S92, he was united in the 
holy bonds of matrimony with Carrie Thom])- 
son, the daughter of William and Eydia 
Thompson. Mr. Thompson, who was engaged 
in business in Delhi for nearly twenty years, 



is now the leailing tailor of Walton, where his 
daughter Carrie was born. .She is p(jpular in 
social circles, and is a communicant of Saint 
John's Ei^iscoi^al Church. 

In politics both the father and son are zeal- 
ous advocates of the i)rinciples of the Repub- 
lican party. Mrs. Sarah Maxwell is an 
earnest Christian woman and a member of the 
Methodist Iqnscopal church. 




,()EONEE samiii:e E. .MIEEICR, 

who died on .March 16, 1894, at his 
'Is ^ home in Franklin, was born on 
May 27, 1827, on the same farm 
which has been in the family for many years 
and was also the birlhijlace of his father. 
The Miller family came from Ivdst Ham[)ton, 
E.E, and settled in this part of the .State 
whun it was a boundless wilderness. They 
owned vast tracts of unbroken forest; ajul in 
the days of William Miller, father of the late 
Colonel, their estate consisted of about one 
thousand acres of land, and included several 
large mills for the manufacture of pine lum- 
ber, which business increased rajiidly, and is 
still carried on by the family. Much of the 
land is excellent for jiasturage, keeping about 
one hundred cows: and the dairy products of 
the Miller farm are noted throiighout the sur- 
rounding country. .Some mav still remember 
William IMiller, whose commanding figure and 
])leasant face were familiar to everyone half 
a century ago. 

His son .Samuel was also a fine repieserit- 
ative of an old and noble race. He was the 
only surviving child of William antl Mary 
(^Ells) Miller, and in him were centred all 
the ho])es of the family. In him were real- 
ized, too, not only their expectations, but 
honor and distinction far beyond their fondest 
dreams. After graduating, in 1S52, from 
Hamilton College, he returned to his Alma 
Mater, ami studied law for a year, when he 
was admitted to the bar in 1853. He then 
engaged in business with his father, and 
under their united efforts the farming and 
lumbering interests grew to large dimensions. 
In 1854 he was elected to the New York leg- 
islature, and in 1855 and 1856 was .Supervisor 
of the town of Franklin. His service in 



l82 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



these capacities proved so plainly his ability 
and principles that he was sent to Congress in 
1862. This was the noted Congress under 
Lincoln's administration, when the country 
was in a state of turmoil, and those who 
served her had much need of firm hands and 
earnest hearts to rightly administer the affairs 
of the nation. 

In 1867 Colonel Miller was a member of 
the Constitutional Convention, in 1869 a 
member of the State Board of Charities, to 
which position he was reappointed in 1873; 
in i86g he was Collector of Revenues, resign- 
ing this post in 1873; and in 1874 he was 
elected Representative to the Forty-fourth 
Congress. Colonel Miller was a stanch Re- 
publican, and in behalf of that party exerted 
a strong influence. Although a man of mod- 
est bearing, his speeches were very effective; 
and his voice was never silent when he saw 
that by speaking he might serve his country 
and his cause. Long to be remembered is a 
speech which Mr. Miller delivered at the 
Constitutional Convention, when he was dis- 
abled by rheumatism, and was obliged to seek 
the platform with the assistance of a pair of 
crutches. Coming slowly forward in this 
manner, he faced his audience and expounded 
to them in a most concise and masterly way 
the principles for which he stood. 

Colonel Miller was twice marrieil, his first 
wife being Miss Laura Cadwell, who died 
while still in the prime of life. May 29, 1865. 
He afterward received in marriage the hand of 
Maria M. Sherrill, daughter of Lewis and 
Clarissa (Burgess) Sherrill. The father was 
a native of East Hampton, and the mother of 
Colchester; and they were among the early 
settlers of New Hartford, Oneida County, 
N.Y. Mr. Sherrill was formerly a manufact- 
urer of woollen goods, a clothier, as he was 
called in those days, and, together with his 
brother, carried on a mill on the Scquoit 
Creek. Mrs. Miller was one of four children, 
two girls and two boys. Her father died in 
1871, being over ninety years old; and after 
his death Mrs. Sherrill made her home here 
with her daughter until the time of her death 
in 1 89 1, when she, too, had reached her nine- 
tieth year. 

The only surviving children of Mrs. Miller 



are Samuel Jacob and William Lewis Miller, 
who are twins, and who were born on Septem- 
ber 28, 1870. They live in the beautiful 
mansion built by their father in 1875, and to- 
gether they carry on the long-established 
business of farming and lumbering. They 
are active and energetic young men, using the 
most intelligent methods of carrying on their 
business, and showing in all their undertak- 
ings the characteristic qualities of the line 
from which they have descended. 

The father of these promising young men 
has been called away from his work and his 
life on this side of the unknown. He had 
done his duty in his day and generation, as it 
is not the privilege of all men to do; and, 
when he passed hence, it was amid the mourn- 
ing and regrets of all who knew him, and 
whose admiration and reverence for his noble 
traits, lofty principles, and virtuous deeds 
will for many years keep his memory green. 



•OSEPH HILLIS is one of the most 
highly esteemed citizens of Stamford, 
of which town he is an industrious and 
successful farmer. His father, Adam 
Hillis, was a native of Ireland, and came to 
America when twenty-five years of age. He 
had received a very good education in his 
native land, and had taught school fourteen 
terms. He learned the trade of a weaver, but 
concluded to follow agricultural pursuits, and 
purchased an improved farm of ninety-six 
acres in Kortright, Delaware County, to 
which he added from time to time until he be- 
came the possessor of two hundred and twenty- 
seven acres. A hard worker and good man- 
ager, he accumulated a comfortable fortune, 
and died on his farm at the age of seventy-six. 
His wife was Elizabeth McMurdy, who was 
born in Kortright, a daughter of an old pio- 
neer settler of that town, Benjamin McMurdy, 
who was a native of Ireland, and married 
Elizabeth Shanks, a native of the same coun- 
try. Benjamin McMurdy was. a farmer of 
progressive habits and much industry, and 
succeeded in his chosen occupation, residing 
on his farm until his death, which occurred 
when he was about eighty years of age. He 
was a Whig, and, with his wife, a member of 



niOORAPlIlCAI, REVIEW 



the I'rcsljytcrian cluircli. Thi,'}' were llic par- 
ents of three chiUUen: l)a\i(l, who died at the 
age of seventy-seven; Jonathan, at the age of 
eighty-six; and Eli/.abetii, who passeil away 
when seventy-five years of age. I\[r. and Mrs. 
Adam Hillis were devoted members of the 
Presbyterian church at South Kortriglit. He 
was a supporter of tlie Democratic ])arty. 
They were the parents of ten chihhvn, ciglit 
of whom reached maturity; and three still 
survive, as fidlows: Josc])!!, of whom this 
sketch is wi'itten; IJavid B., a stone-mason in 
Stamford; and (k'orge M., a farmer in Daven- 
port. Jonathan, William, Uenjamin, Clark. 
Sara Jane, IClleii, and ]'!lizabeth have passed 
away. 

Josc|)h Hillis was born in Kortriglit, May 
28. 1828, and was educated in the district 
school. Until he was twenty-five years of 
age he li\'ed at home, but worked for .Squire 
McGillavei")', near Bloomville, receiving for 
his services eight dollars per month, which 
monev he ga\X' to his father. January 12, 
1853, he married i\Iiss Margaret D. Jiarnett, 
who was born in l-loxbury, May 6, 1826, a 
daughter of John and ICleanor (Voorhis) Har- 
nett. John liarnett was born in I.exington, 
Greene County, .September 22, 1786, and, re- 
moving to Delaware C"ountv, located in 
Stamford, where he resided throughout the 
remainder of his life. He died Januar\' 5, 
1863. He was a supportei- of the Republican 
party. His wife, Eleanor Voorhis, was born 
in Schoharie Coimt)', January 8, 1793, and 
died June 1 T), 1879. Both were faithful mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian church at Hobart. 
They were the ])arents of five children, two of 
whom — Sarah !\I. McNaught, widow of Will- 
iam McNaught, and Mrs. Hillis — still sm-- 
vive. Those who passed away are Christo- 
pher, Charity, and David. 

After marriage Joseph Hillis purchased his 
first farm in -Stamford, consisting of one hun- 
dred and fifty-nine acres: ami here he resided 
for Sf)me years, then sold, and in i860 bfjught 
his present home, removing to it in 1865. 
This farm contains two liimdred and thirty 
acres. It has been cultivated and improved 
imder Mr. Hillis's su])ervision, and is now 
one of the best farms in the vicinity. l*"ive 
chiklren ha\e been born to ]\Ir. ami ]\Irs. 



Hillis. two of whom are living, naniel)': John 
()., born May 30, 1865, who is a farmer, mak- 
ing his home with his parents, and who 
married in October, 1886, Miss Belle Kil- 
l^atrick, and has one child, lilanche J., born 
.Sei)tember 15, 1S90: Christo])her J., a ])hysi- 
cian in Kingston, born November 30. 1866, 
who married June 14, 1893, Miss ]'211a 
Meeker. The following children have jxissed 
away: Sarah ]■"., born October 12, 1853, died 
June 25, 1865; l?arnett .'\., born A|u-il 3, 
1857, died July 6, 1865; Ogden 15., born Jan- 
u;n-\- 25, 1862, died .Sei:)tend)er 5, 1865. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hillis are meml)ers of the 
Preslnterian church at Hol)art, in the affairs 
of which they take a prominent i)art, Mr. 
Hillis holding the office of Trustee. Politi- 
cally, he is a Republican, supporting the 
princijjles of that party. 




1^1^ I.b:XANDi:R STORH': was born on 
March 20, 1S14, on the \-cry farm in 
Bovina where he now lives; and he 
is rightly regarded as its foremost 
citizen, as well as one of its highest tax- 
])ayers. His parents were William and Mary 
(McCune) .Storie. The father was born in 
Roxbiu-ghshire, Scotland, and the mother in 
Ireland. 

Coming to this countr_\' about the beginning 
of the nineteenth century, William Storie 
settled in Bovina, and there ].)in-sued his trade 
of stone-mason a part of the time. In 1 802 
he UKirried, and in I S04 Ijought the sevenlv- 
seven and a half acres of land miw known as 
the Storie homestead. He died a decade 
later, in 18 15, before he had final!}' passed the 
noontide of life, though not before lie had 
borne the heat and bmxlen of the day, and left 
the impress of his imlustr\' upon the little 
comnnmitv surrounding him. His wife out- 
lived him many years, not breathing her last 
till she had reached her ninety-first year, in 
the old homestead. .She came from the old 
coimtry when only fourteen with her i)ai'ents. 
who at first settled in Washington Coimtv, 
but came later to Bovina, and bought the f.irm 
now in the hands of Michael Miller. The 
Stories wei'c members of the United Pres- 
bxteiian church in South Kortright. .Mr. 



i88 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Storie was a Federalist in politics, holding 
opinions which would to-day make him a firm 
Republican. Of six children all grew to ma- 
turity, and two are now living: the son who 
bears the good Scotch ancestral name of Alex- 
ander; and his elder sister, Mary Ann, who 
makes her home in Bovina Centre. Their 
sister, Nellie Storie, married George Stott, 
and lived to be eighty-five; while Margaret 
Storie married Walter Coulter, and died at 
the age of threescore. Jane Storie became 
the wife of Alexander Brush, a son of the sec- 
ond settler of the town, and died at the earlier 
age of fifty. Their brother, Samuel Storie, 
died at fifty-five, on the home farm. 

The subject of this sketch was an apt pupil 
in the district school, where at the age of 
eighteen he became himself a teacher, a post 
he subsequently held many terms. The earli- 
est school-house was a frame building, with 
slab benches and writing-desks around the 
sides of the room, heated by an open fire. 
His mother used to card and spin the wool, 
which was woven among the neighbors; and 
in this homespun cloth Alexander was clad 
till he reached manhood. The family boots 
and shoes were made by a journeyman Crispin, 
who came that way two or three times a year, 
and whose presence afforded the youngsters 
the greatest delight. The chief market for 
the farm produce was seventy miles away 
among the Catskills, and the trip thither re- 
quired several days. The nearest grist-mill 
was at Brushland. People carried their 
luncheon to meeting on Sundays, and stayed 
through both the long services. Father 
Storie cleared his farm slowly, depending 
upon his boys for help. Alexander did his 
part; and in later years, after he bought the 
old place from the other heirs, he added nearly 
two hundred acres to its area. Beginning as 
a poor man, he has become by hard work and 
frugality, backed by the natural shrewdness 
inherited from his progenitors, one of the 
most prosperous in town. 

He was not married till January 23, 1851, 
when he was thirty-seven years old, and Mil- 
lard Fillmore, a New Yorker, was President 
of the United States. His wife was Esther 
A. Cowan, born in Bovina, November i, 
1821, the daughter of James and Mariam B. 



(Maynard) Cowan. Her mother was born on 
the old Maynard farm in Bovina in 1801, and 
her father in 1794, in Roxburghshire, Scot- 
land, the birthplace of William Storie. Mr. 
Cowan was twenty-five years a merchant in 
Brushland village, but afterward owned a 
farm in Cortland County, where he died on 
January 6, 1876, at the advanced age of 
eighty-two. His wife died twenty years be- 
fore, April 14, 1856, when fifty-five years old. 
They belonged to the Stamford Presbyterian 
Society, and had eleven children, six of whom 
are now living. Elizabeth Cowan still lives 
at the old Cortland home. Hannah is now the 
widow of John Greenman, and lives in Cortland 
village. Rebecca is the wife of Delos Stevens, 
of De Ruyter, Madison County. Nancy is 
Mrs. George Stevens, and lives on the old 
Cortland farm. Hector Cowan is also a Cort- 
land farmer. The five deceased Cowan children 
were Mary, William, John, Elisha, and Jane. 

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Storie are among 
the oldest couples in their part of the town, 
and have had five children, two of whom have 
passed from earth. James C. Storie, the eld- 
est now living, was born January 12, 1855, 
and is a physician in Walton village. Alex- 
ander F. Storie, bearing his father's name, 
was born November 28, 1856, and is a farmer 
in Newburg, Orange County. John W. 
Storie, born December 2, 1863, lives on the 
home farm. The eldest, Mariam Elizabeth 
Storie, was born December 12, 185 i, and died 
October 29, 1862, in childhood. William 
Storie was born on Independence Day, 1853, 
and died October 21, 1862, a week before the 
little sister, only eighteen months his elder. 

The family are actively connected with the 
United Presbyterian church in Bovina Centre. 
Mr. Storie is a Republican, and has always 
been prominent in town affairs. When a 
young man, he was Assessor one term, and 
also for many years a Supervisor. Though 
now withdrawn from office-holding, he never 
fails to be at the polls on election day, nor 
has he ever missed but one town meeting. 
With the assistance of his son John, he is 
still able to carry on the farm, and they keep 
twenty or thirty head of Jersey cattle. Not 
only is the farm the best in the neighborhood, 
but both the house and out-buildings are in 




Hlexhnder Storie. 



' 1 


>^^ 



Mrs Esther R Storie. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



189 



the lincst order. .Mr. .Storic is also the his- 
torian of the town, and takes a great interest 
in literary work of this deserijjtion, feeling the 
inherent truth of President GarfieUrs sa\■i^f^ 
"The world's history is a divine poem, of 
which the history of every nation is a canto, 
and every man a word." 

Turning over a leaf or two, the reader will 
be gratified to see the portraits of Mr. and 
Mrs. Storie. 




'I'lNRY FINCH, a well-to-do, retired 
farmer of Sidney, Delaware County, 
X.Y., was born in Greene County, 
June 22, 182,3, son of Jonas and 
Henrietta (Leonard) Finch. His father was 
a native of Greene County, and his mother of 
Dutchess County. Amos Finch, father of 
Jonas, served as a soldier in the Re\'olution; 
he was a farmer, and lived to the advanced age 
of ninety years. Jonas Finch was brought up 
in the county of his birth, whence he moved 
in 1833 to Delaware County, and took up one 
hundred acres of land. By hard work and 
energy he added to this until he had one 
hundred and sixty acres, and owned one of the 
finest farms in the neighborhood. He was 
the father of eleven children, of whom the 
following survive: Henrietta, widow of Alex- 
ander Ikyan, residing in East Sidney; Will- 
iam and Jonas, at Masonville; Henry, the 
subject of this sketch: John, located in Ten- 
nessee; and Amos in Sidney Centre. Mr. 
Jonas I'inch died at the age of seventy-three, 
and his wife aged eighty-one. 

Henry Finch was educated in the district 
schools of Sidney, living with his i)arents 
and helping on the farm until he attained the 
age of twenty-one, when he hired himself out 
by the month. He followed this for several 
years, and, being of a frugal turn of mind, 
saved his money, which enabled him to buy 
his first land in the town of Masonville, a 
farm of fifty acres. He lived there for one 
year, when he sold out and movetl to Lycom- 
ing County, Pennsylvania, where he bought 
an uncultivated tract of land of about one 
hundred anil fifty acres, which he occupied for 
some time, bringing it into a good state of 
cultivation. At the end of about fourteen 



years he moved to Masonville, ami iliere car- 
ried on the business of a general farmer for 
twenty-two years. In 1 886 he moved to Sid- 
ney village, where he now lives retired. Mr. 
Finch is a veteran of the Civil War, having 
enlisted in 1862 in the One Hundred and 
Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer In- 
fantry, Company A. He was in the service 
ten months, when his health gave way, and he 
was honorably discharged from the army at 
Harrisburg, Pa., August 5, 1S63. 

-Mr. Iwnch was married March i, 1849, to 
Mary J. Carr, who died August, 1880, aged 
fitty-one. By this union twelve children were 
born, eleven of whom are living, namely: 
Zaeuch, a farmer of Sidney; Sarah, wife of 
E. Teed, of Pennsylvania; Henrietta, wife of 
Duaue Hand, of Otsego County; Louisa, wife 
of Robert Stewart, of Sidney: Anna, wife of 
Warren Hodge, also residing in Sidney; 
Maggie, wife of lulward House, of Tompkins; 
Henry Finch, of I'ranklin; Allie, wife of 
James Hodge, of Sidney; Xorman and James, 
residents of Sidney; Nora, wife of E. Wheat, 
of Sidney. 

On I"\-bruary 7, 1883, Mr. Finch married 
for his second wife Mrs. Hannah Croimse, the 
widow of Abram Crounse, a farmer of Albany 
County, and mother of one child, Mary, wife 
of John Armstrong, of Fnadilla. Mrs.' Finch 
was born in (iuilford, Chenango County, Oc- 
tober 20, 1827, her jKirents being James and 
Catherine Lewis. They reared twelve chil- 
dren, six of whom are now living, namely: 
Mrs. l-'inch; Ren.ssclaer Lewis, in Pennsyl- 
vania; Joseph Lewis, in Michigan; Sally 
Ann, wife of David Loomis. of Sidney: Abiel 
Lewis, of Pennsylvania: Julia, wife of Nor- 
man White, of Bradford County. Pennsylvania. 
Mr. I-'inch is a man of quiet and refined 
tastes, and in his idd age enjoys a mental 
vigor which years have not impaired, his gen- 
erous, kindly nature endearing him to neigh- 
bors and friends. 




1S16. 



i:V. WILLIAM N. ALLABEN, a 

minister and dentist in Margarett- 
\ille, was born in Roxbnrv, Dela- 
ware County, on the 20th of June, 
II is grandparents, Jonathan and Martha 



igo 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



(Bouton) Allaben, were residents of Blue 
Point, L.I-, wlierc tlie grandfather was 
drowned in 1787. He was long survived by 
his wife, who died in 1S28, leaving five chil- 
dren— Sally, Polly, John, James, and Esther. 
John, the first son of Jonathan, was born in 
Blue Point. He married, and raised a family 
of seven children, namely: Orson, a physi- 
cian; William N.; Abigail; James; Sarah; 
Wilson; and Jonathan. Besides these were 
two who died in infancy and Orpah and Nel- 
son, who died yonng. 

William N., son of John Allaben, was one 
of a family who seemed to drift into educa- 
tional work; and it is a noteworthy fact that 
each of the brothers and sisters at some 
period of his or her life was a teacher. 
William was a teacher at eighteen; and Abi- 
gail at the early age of fourteen years, herself 
a mere child, taught in the neighborhood. 
William, who was of a studious turn of mind, 
proved the theory of self-culture by practical 
demonstration in his own life; for, having no 
advantages besides those offered in the com- 
mon schools of his native village, he acquired 
a good education, storing his mind with much 
general information by studying and reading 
at home. After some years he took up the 
profession of dentistry, which he practised in 
West Colesville, Broome County, during a 
period of eight years. Here he entered the 
Baptist ministry, and preached for six years. 
His next charge was in Windsor, where he 
was pastor for three years, after which, com- 
ing to Margarettville, he bought property and 
remained for eighteen months. He then took 
charge of the Baptist church in West Kill, 
Greene County, for eight years. A longing 
to return to his place in Margarettville now 
began to possess him; so he came back and 
built a church in this town, where he has 
since continued to follow jointly his two pro- 
fessions. 

His first wife was a Miss Maben, a daugh- 
ter of Benjamin Maben, of Greene County. 
She died in her youth, leaving two sons, 
namely: James R., a physician, who married 
Miss Ilattic Newton, of Greene County; and 
Hamblin L. Allaben, a clergyman, who mar- 
ried Hannah Cave, and died in Lebanon, 
Madison County, being the pastor of the 



church of that place. The second wife of the 
Rev. Mr. Allaben was Miss Martha Todd, a 
daughter of Isaac Todd. She died, leaving 
one son, who bears his father's name, and is 
a farmer in Iowa. William N. Allaben, Jr., 
married a Miss Redmond, who has borne him 
two children. Mr. Allaben's third wife was 
Josephine Leora DeWitt, an orphan who was 
adopted by Robert Palmer, a kindly farmer of 
Sullivan County. Mr. Palmer was one of the 
first settlers of his section, where he erected 
the first log habitation. 

Mr. Allaben has reached an age when it 
seems desirable to live a quiet life, free from 
the demands of business and professional 
cares; but, being of an active mind and 
strong character, he still shares in the in- 
terests of his fellow-citizens, and attends 
somewhat to his office practice. He is much 
beloved and respected. 




ELL BROTHERS. Edmund Rob- 
erts Bell, Dr. Howard Bell, and 
Walter Langdon Bell, of Delhi, 
Delaware County, N.Y., are sons of 
the late Calvin H. Bell and his wife, F" ranees 
Lear Roberts. Their grandfather, Joseph 
Whiting Bell, emigrated from Connecticut, 
the State of his birth, which occurred in the 
town of Litchfield, to Delaware County, and 
was among the early pioneers of Harpersfield. 
He took up a tract of wild land situated in 
the heart of the primeval forest, and, building 
a log house, improved a homestead, in which 
he and his faithful wife, who shared with him 
the arduous labors of life in the new country 
and the deprivation of their earlier comforts, 
spent their remaining years. They reared a 
large family of children, the following being 
their names: Louisa, Charles, Richard, Cal- 
vin, Lyman, Roxey, and Altania. 

Calvin H. Bell,' the father of the Bell 
brothers, of Delhi, was born in the log house 
in Harpersfield, and assisted on the home 
farm until fourteen years old; but, not being 
sufficiently strong to carry on the labors of an 
agricultural life, and being a bright scholar 
with an ardent desire for knowledge, he then 
left Harpersfield to continue his studies in 
Delaware Academy. He subsequently began 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIFAV 



191 



the study of law in the office ot Ihc lion. 
Stcplicn C. Johnson, of this town, and, heinn' 
admitted to tlie bar, afterward practised here 
for a time. With a view to im]irovini;- lioth 
his fortune and his health, he made a trip to 
Missouri, where he was en<;aj;ed foi' a while 
in teachinn; school. When the California 
gold excitement broke out, lie joineil a band 
of Fort\'-niners ant! journeyed to that .State on 
foot, a distance of twenty-lour hundred miles, 
through an almost im]xissable wilderness. 
After mining for gold for about two years, 
succeeding onh' in a measured degree, he 
returned to Delhi and resinneil the labors of 
his profession. In 1S70 he established in 
connection with his law practice a banking 
business, and continued it until the time of 
his death, which occurred in 1 890, in the 
sixty-si.xth year of his age. He was a very 
prominent and influential man, and one of the 
best known citizens in Delaware County. In 
a history of the county issued in i.SSo an ex- 
tended sketch of his life may be found. 

Frances Lear Roberts, wife of Cah'in II. 
Bell, was the youngest daughter of iMlmund 
and Catharine Whipple (l.angdon) Roberts, 
of l\)rtsmouth, N.II. Her parents reared a 
large family, the following being their names: 
Catharine, Sarah, Mary Ann, Harriet, Caro- 
line, Anna, Maria, and I'rances. Catharine 
married the Rev. Di". Andrew P. Peabody, 
late of Harvard University. .Sarah marrietl 
Dr. James Boyle, of New York City. Mary 
Ann married Charles V.. Perry, of Delhi, 
N.Y. Harriet married Judge Amasa J. Par- 
ker, of Albany, N.^'. Caroline married Rob- 
ert Parker, a lawyer of Delhi, N.Y. Anna 
married Truman II. Wheeler, a lawyer, also, 
of Delhi. Maria joined the Sisterhood of 
Saint Marv, of New York Citv. Frances 
married Calvin H. Bell, of Delhi." The Rob- 
erts family are of l-aiglish ancestry and na- 
tives of Portsmouth, N.II. Their grandfather 
was Captain ICdmund Roberts, of the British 
navy; and their father was Fdmund Roberts, 
Envoy ICxtraordinary and Minister Plenipoten- 
tiary of the United States to several Asiatic 
courts. He died at Macao, China, June \ 2. 
1836, and was buried there. 

Calvin H. Bell and wife reared three sons 
— Edmund Roberts, Howard, and Walter 



Langdon Hell. I'idnunxl K. and Waller I,. 
Bell, undei- tiie firm name of E. R. iS: W. L. 
Bell, bankers and real estate agents, with an 
office in Bell Block, nearly op])osite the 
Eilgerton House, Main Street, Delhi, are 
among the foremost business men of tiie town. 
They were educated in the district school and 
at Delaware Academy, and have passed the 
larger part of their lives in Delhi. Entering 
the office of their father as clerks, the broth.ers 
gained a jiractical and thorough knowledge of 
the bvisiness; and after the death of their 
honored sire lliey succeeded to its manage- 
ment. Under the present firm name the repu- 
tation of the house is well sustained as one of 
the most substantial and reliable in the 
county. The firm are men of excellent judg- 
ment, staiul well in financial circles and in 
the social world, and ha\e a fine reputation 
for using systematic methods and conducting 
their affairs on sound business principles, 
lulmund R. Bell takes an intelligent inter- 
est in the welfare of his native town, is a 
member of the Board of Trustees, a fire- 
man, and also manages successfully his farm, 
situated near the village of Dellii. Walter 
E. Bell is identified with the Masons, be- 
ing a member of Delhi Eodge. No. 439, and 
as a fireman is a member of Active Hose, 
No. 5. 

Dr. Ilowart 
tioner, whose 
Main Street, near Court .Street, is an intelli- 
gent, finely educated man, thoroughly skilled 
in the science of medicine, and is rapidly 
working his way to an important [losition 
among tlu' [irogressive physicians of Delaware 
County. He spent his boyhood days in 
Delhi, receiving the rudiments of his liberal 
education in the village school and academy. 
He afterward entered the College of Physi- 
cians and .Surgeons in New \'ork City, from 
which he was graduated in 18S4, subsequently 
receiving a diploma from the University Med- 
ical College of that city, located on Twenty- 
sixth Street. .So(m after his graduation Dr. 
Bell started westward in search of a jiromis- 
iiig location, and began the practice of his pro- 
fession in Albert I.ea. Minn., where he re- 
mained two years. Having acquired some 
valuable experience, he then returned to 



Bell, an active medical practi- 
othee is i>leasantly located on 



192 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Delhi, where he has since attended to the 
duties of his profession. He has steadily 
gained the confidence of the people in this 
and adjacent localities, and has a large prac- 
tice. Besides being a physician in good and 
regular standing, the Doctor also holds a cer- 
tificate for the practice of dentistry, to which 
he pays some attention, although making no 
specialty of that branch of the business. 

Dr. Bell is prominent in social circles, and 
is a member of the Delaware County Medical 
Society. He likewise belongs to the Masonic 
fraternity, and is Junior Warden of Delhi 
Lodge, No. 439, A. F. & A. M., and a mem- 
ber of Knights Templar Norwich Commandery, 
No. 46. Politically, he uniformly casts his 
vote with the Democratic party. The 
brothers are all communicants of St. John's 
Episcopal Church, as their parents were be- 
fore them, the same pew having been rented 
by the family for nearly forty-four years. At 
the present time (1894) they are all unmarried 
and living together, keeping old bachelors' 
hall. 




RSON JICNKINS, farmer, dairyman, 
and carpenter of the town of Tomp- 
kins, was born in Roxbury, Delaware 
County, August 21, 1831. Tradition 
says that his great-grandfather, Nathaniel 
Jenkins, was a descendant of one of three 
brothers who came to America from Wales 
in the old Colonial days. He was a farmer, 
and was also engaged in the occupation of 
a cooper. He died in Roxbury at the age of 
ninety years. His son, Nathan Jenkins, was 
born in Roxbury, and there throughout a long 
life gave attention to agricultural pursuits, 
dying when eighty-five years of age. He 
married Lydia Morse, who passed away in 
her eightieth year. Horace Jenkins, son of 
Nathan and Lydia and father of the subject 
of this biography, was also born in Roxbury, 
wdrere he was reared to farm life, removing 
in 1845 to the town of Tompkins. Here he 
purchased a farm, where he still resides, hav- 
ing reached the age of eighty-seven years. 
His wife was Anna Vermilya, daughter of 
Solomon and Susan (Mulline) Vermilya. 
She died at the age of seventy-four years, the 



mother of the following children — Susan, 
Orson, William, Hosea, and Irene. 

Orson Jenkins was bred to farming, but 
has likewise followed mechanical pursuits, 
for which he has a natural aptitude, although 
he never served an apprenticeship. For five 
years he resided in Walton, where he was en- 
gasred as a contractor and builder. With the 
exception of that time, his life has been spent 
on the farm ; and he has been employed to 
some extent in the carpenter's and cooper's 
trade. In 1884 he settled on the farm he had 
purchased some time previous, and here he 
now lives. Mr. Jenkins is a reliable, up- 
right man, and is identified with all the good 
works of the town where he resides. In 
politics he is a Republican. 

He married Miss Helen Chandler, who 
was born in Clifford, Susquehanna County, 
Pa. Mrs. Jenkins's grandfather, Robert 
Chandler, was a farmer and physician in 
Pennsylvania, and served in the Revolution- 
ary War. He was one of the first of his 
profession to settle in Susquehanna County: 
and his practice extended for many miles, 
his visits being made on horseback. His son 
John, the father of Mrs. Jenkins, engaged in 
mercantile business in Clifford for several 
years, dealing extensively in game and furs, 
wild animals being abundant. He also dealt 
in farm produce. New York City being the 
market in which he sold his goods. In 1841 
he removed to Long Eddy, Delaware County, 
where he purchased a mill and engaged in the 
lumber business, residing there until his 
death in his seventy-eighth year. His wife, 
Catherine Decker, was born at Port Jervis, 
Orange County,- N.Y., daughter of Martin 
and Huldah Decker; and she passed away in 
her seventy-eighth year. 

Mrs. Jenkins resided with her parents 
until her marriage, and learned, besides the 
regular duties of a housewife in these days, 
the art of spinning. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins 
have one son, Frank E., who was born No- 
vember 26, 1854, and, after attending the 
Walton Academy, entered Williams College, 
from which he was graduated in 1878. He 
then took a three years' course at the Hart- 
ford Theological Seminary and became a 
Congregational minister, being employed for 



BIOGRAPHICAL RKVIIOW 



'93 



some time as a missionary iu tiic Sontli. lie 
is now engaged in pastoral labors in I'aimer, 
Mass. He has been twice niarried. his first 
wife being Maria Hucklin, and his second 
Sarah Stanley, by wlioni he had one daughter, 
Helen C. Jenkins. 




.\I.T1:R SCOTT, Kso.. an able 
lawyer of Davenport, N.V., whose 
qualities of mind have eminenth' 
fitted him for the bar, is a man of superior 
culture and attainments. Besides being well 
informed on general subjects, he is perhaps 
the best mathematician in the county. Mr. 
Scott is of Xew England origin, but is a na- 
tive of Delaware County, having been born in 
the town of Meredith, November ii, 1853. 
His father, Jesse Scott, was born in the town 
of Franklin, and was there reared, receiving 
a good education. He was for many years a 
noted instructor in the schools of Franklin 
and Davenport, and subsec|uently retired to a 
farm in the tow-n of Meredith, where, before 
reaching the noon-tide of life, he passed to 
the worki bcvond, being then but forty-three 
years of age. 

Walter Scott was but six years oUl when 
the death of his father occurred; but, al- 
though missing the care and influence of that 
parent, he received a judicious training from 
his mother, who gave him the benefits of a 
good education, fitting him for a teacher in 
the public schools, a position which he filled 
most satisfactorily for several years in his 
native town, also teaching one term in Andes 
and one in Maryland. In the mean time Mr. 
Scott had continued studying: and, desiring 
to enter the legal profession, he read law 
with Youmans & Xiles, of Delhi, and after- 
ward with Edward O'Connor, of Davenport. 
From there he became a student in the Al- 
bany Law School, from which he was grad- 
uated in 1883. He began the i)ractice of his 
]jrofession in Davenport, where he has since 
continued in active work, and has built u]) a 
large practice, clients being attracted by the 
jirudence of his counsel more than by the 
brilliancy of his forensic display. 

The union of Mr. Scott and ^liss Flora 
l,i\iiiirston was celcbratetl in 1S82. Mrs. 



Scott is a native of .Schenevus, Otsego 
Count)-, iieing the daughter of Jacoi) Living- 
ston, a farmer of that ])lace. Mr. and Mrs. 
Scott are tiie parents of two children, I'.dith 
and Hazel, i)oth bright and accomplished 
girls. The eldest, Edith, now eight years 
old, has already made a reputation as an elo- 
cutionist, and is ])robably the youngest child 
who ever learned tlic art of stenography. 
The Philadelphia Stciiosrraphcr for I'ebruary, 
1894, contains a fac-simile of a letter written 
by her in shorthand wlien but seven years of 
age. She has never attended school, but is 
being educated by her parents at home. Po- 
litical Iv, Mr. Scott is a Democrat, and an ear- 
nest supporter <;f tiie ])rinciples of that party. 
He was its candidate for Member of Assembly 
in 1885, and ftu' District Attorney in 1892. 




RED P. BEIvRS, one of the leading 
hardware merchants of Delaware 
Count)', an influential citizen of 
Downsville, was l)()rn in the village of Frank- 
lin, Delaware County, X.\'., September 24, 
1865, son of A. Nelson and l-llizabetli (Par- 
ker) Beers. A. Nelson Beers was a native of 
Otsego Countv, and was educated in the dis- 
trict scliools. lla\-ing much artistic talent, 
he was early led to undertake ]^hotogra[)hy, in 
those days an art less commonly ado|:)ted than 
now; ami in this business he was very suc- 
cessful, doing a large amount of work in both 
Delaware and Otsego Counties. He died in 
the prime of life, leaving but one son, the 
subject of this sketch. Mrs. IClizabeth P. 
Beers has since married Dr. Bassett, of 
Downsville, wjiere she now resides. 

Young Fred was educated in the Downs- 
ville and Deposit schools, graduating when 
very young and going into mercantile life as a 
clerk. At the age of twenty-one he started a 
small business for himself in Downsville, 
carrying a line of hartiware ami other commod- 
ities. Sagacious and enterprisiTig, Mr. Beers 
extended iiis business and his acquaintance 
with every branch of it, by careful manage- 
ment establishing a large trade, and soon was 
enabled to build the commodious store which 
he now occupies, and which stands on the 
corner of Main Street and Maple Avenue. It 



'94 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



is seventy-five by ninety feet, and three sto- 
ries in height, with a tower forty feet high, 
and is to-day the largest and one of the most 
sightly buildings in Delaware County, and 
one of which the wide-awake town of Downs- 
ville is justly proud. A part of the first floor 
of the building is occupied by the post-office 
and F. W. Hartman's law office. The rest 
of the first floor is improved by Mr. Beers for 
the display and storage of his goods, which 
include a large stock of hardware, stoves, 
ranges, tinware, paints, oils, crockery, agri- 
cultural implements, and wagons. The sec- 
onil floor contains tenement rooms and offices. 
On the third floor is a large and beautiful hall 
having a seating capacity of five hundred. It 
has also a smaller hall occupied by the Grand 
Army of the Republic Post and a photograph 
gallery. 

Mr. Beers is young and unmarried. He is 
a fine amateur musician, and it goes without 
saying that he is extremely popular in so- 
ciety, and is often called to exercise his tal- 
ents for its diversion. He is a member of 
Downsville Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 464, 
is a follower of the Republican party, and a 
member and officer of the Presbyterian church. 
He is also a member of the Republican town 
and county committees, and a director and 
stockholder of the Delaware Loan & Trust 
Company, and of several other enterprises. 
Mr. Beers is a man thoroughly in touch with 
the times, able in business, progressive in 
policy, and a man known throughout the 
county for his energy, his genial, social qual- 
ities, and his unsullied probity. 



JEYMOUR KNAPP, a representative 
citizen of North Franklin, and a 
valued member of the community, is 
pleasantly located in joint School 
District No. 18, of Meredith and P'ranklin, 
where he has spent the larger part of his long 
and useful life. His farm comprises some of 
the most valuable land in this vicinity, is 
under good cultivation, and is supplied with 
a comfortable set of frame buildings. 

Mr. Knapp is a native of the Empire State, 
and was born in Hillsdale, Columbia County, 
January 20, 1825, being a son of Alanson 



Knapp, who was born in Westchester County, 
New York, and died in Corning, Steuben 
County, March 10, 1884, at the ripe old age 
of eighty-four years. His widow, now an 
aged woman of ninety-one years, is a resident 
of Steuben County. They reared six sons and 
four daughters, all of whom are still living, 
with the exception of two daughters. A 
cousin of Seymour Knapp, Martin A. Knapp, 
a well-known and able jurist of Syracuse, was 
appointed by President Benjamin Harrison, 
one of the Commissioners of Interstate Com- 
merce, and now holds that office. Alanson 
Knapp was a skilful mechanic and a farmer, 
and was at one time possessed of considerable 
means; but, having lost the major part of his 
property, he came here from Columbia County, 
arriving in Franklin, May 9, 1835, ^vi'^h two 
teams, a pair of oxen, and a pair of horses. 
He bought a small piece of land at first; and, 
meeting with good success as a farmer, he 
afterward purchased more land until his home- 
stead contained one hundred and fifty acres, a 
part of which is included in the farm of the 
subject of this sketch. His father, Josiah 
Knapp, was for many years engaged in farm- 
ing near Hudson, and from there to the vicin- 
ity of Rochester, where he lived to a good old 
age. He reared a family of nine children, 
five of them being sons, namely: Josiah, who 
was for many years a judge in Columbia 
County; Alanson; Augustus; Martin E. ; and 
Chauncey. None of this family are now liv- 
ing, the last surviving member having been 
one of the daughters, Waitey. 

Seymour Knapp was ten years old when he 
came here with his parents, with whom he 
resided until his marriage. In his boyhood 
he used to work on the farm through seed-time 
and harvest, and attend the district school in 
the winter seasons. Taking upon himself the 
cares and responsibilities of married life ere 
he attained his majority, he continued to work 
at farming as his means of earning a liveli- 
hood, and subsequently bought a tract of land 
in the town of Tompkins, where during the 
winter of 1852 and 1853 he cleared a piece of 
land in the woods, one mile from any dwell- 
ing. There he erected a log house for him- 
self and family, and in the course of the next 
seven years by unremitting toil he placed one 



1!I()(;rai'I1i(;al kkvikw 



'95 



hundred and ton acres of the land under culti- 
vation. In 1864, resohinj;- to assist in the 
preservation of the I'nion, Mr. Knapp sold 
this farm of three hundred and fifty acres, and 
on January i, 1864, enlisted for three years as 
a ]5rivate in Company G, Seconi! New York 
Artillery. Happily, after he had served a 
little less than eij;htecn months, the war 
closed; and he was honorahly discharged, 
being one of the very first to reach h(}nie, 
arriving on May 19, 1865. 

On December 31, 1845, Mr. Knapp was 
united in wedlock with Jane A. (Ireene, who 
was born March 11, iHjt^, in the town of 
Franklin. Her ixarents, Zadoc and Ruth 
(Dart) Greene, were both natives of this 
State, the former having been born in Hoosick, 
Rensselaer County, and the latter in Harpers- 
fiekl. They were worthy farmers, and reared 
a family of daugliters, four in number, three 
of whom are now living, namely: Mrs. 
Knapp; ICmeliiie, the widow of Steplien Brad- 
ley, of I'ranklin; and ICliza, the wife of Leroy 
Lamphear. Into the household circle of Mr. 
and Mrs. Knapp four girls and three boys 
have been born, as fcdlows: Eunice, who died 
at the age of ten years; Mary Jane, the wife 
of Franklin Munson, residing on a farm near 
here; Harriet, who married Henry J. Person, 
of Susquehanna, Pa., and has one son and two 
daughters; LeGrand, a farmer, marrieil and 
living in this town: Lavergc, a bright and 
ambitious student, who began teaching when 
quite young, and afterward entered the Uni- 
versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he 
took first the classical and then the medical 
course, and was graduated in June, 1894, with 
the degree of M.D.; I'dlis, who is working on 
the home farm, who married Carrie Wattles, 
of Sidney Centre, and has two children — Ray 
and Marion; and Cora, who married Kmmet 
C. Fisher, owner of the adjoining farm, and 
has three children. 

In pf)litics Mr. KiKqjp was a Democrat until 
the formation of the Republican party, when 
he joined its ranks and has ne\'er since swerved 
in his allegiance. He has served as Inspector 
of PHections, and is now filling the office of 
Town Assessor, this being his twenty-seventli 
consecutive year. He is a member of the 
Grand Army of the Reimblic, belonging to 



Post Xo. 132; ant! religiously he and his wife 
have been for about forty-seven years meml)ers 
of the Methodist Iipiscopal ciiurch, in which 
during the most of that lime he has been an 
officer. 



s 



. 11. WARD K]:A'1"()R, a youth- 
ful, but already brilliantly success- 
ful physician of (iriffin's Corners, 
in Middlctown, N.V., was born in 
the atljoining town of Roxbury, December 13, 
1870, and is the son of Henry M. and Anna 
(Shoemaker) Keator. (Jreat-grandfather Isaac 
Keator, who married I'.sther White, was one 
of the early settlers in Ro.xbury, to which 
place he came from Dutchess Count)'. He 
])urchased a small estate near the present vil- 
lage of Roxbury, which was a mere hamlet at 
that time: and here he reared a family of six 
children,- namely, Jacob, David, Harmon, 
Heers, Caroline, and Jason. Harmon, the 
third son, was born August 20, I 817, and was 
by occupation a farmer. He married Sarah, 
a daughter of B. J. Cross, one of the first set- 
tlers of West Kill, Greene County, and died 
on the 8th of April, 1852, leaving four chil- 
dren — George \V., Plomer B., P'lizabeth, 
and Henry ;\1. 

Henry M. Keator displayed at an unusually 
early age that energy and courage which are 
almost always marked characteristics in the 
li\'es of those men who win success in their 
chosen occupations. At fourteen he began to 
earn his own living, driving teams for the 
farmers in the neigliborhooil ; but, with the 
wise precaution which was one of nature's 
gifts, he set himself steadily to work to master 
the carpenter's trade. By industrious effort 
and close economy amassing enough money to 
bu\- a lot, he erected a house in Roxbury in 
1874, where he has since lived. He married 
Miss Anna Shoemaker, a daughter of Martin 
and Louisa ( Rifenburg) Shoemaker. The 
father of Mrs. Keator was a progressive farmer 
of Ashland, Greene County, who went West 
in his ok! age, and died in Nebraska. Henry 
M. Keator is a member of the Reformed 
church, ami also a member of the Roxbury 
Cieur de Lion Lodge of Masons, Xo. 571. 
Dr. II. Ward Keator. the son of llenrv and 



196 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Anna (Shoemaker) Keator, and the original 
of this brief memoir, received a plain educa- 
tion in the schools of Roxbury, and acquired a 
knowledge of his profession at the Baltimore, 
Md., College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
where he took his degree on the i sth of 
April, 1892. He immediately began to prac- 
tise medicine at Port Allegany, Pa., and 
in the course of two years had established 
himself as a successful physician. 

At this time the death of Dr. Patterson, a 
noted medical practitioner at Griffin's Cor- 
ners, left a fine opening in that community 
for an intelligent and competent physician 
and surgeon ; and so it came about that Dr. 
H. Ward Keator found himself following his 
profession in the familiar haunts of his child- 
hood, surrounded by old friends and home 
associations. As regards his religious con- 
victions, he is a member of the Reformed 
church; and taking an interest in politics, 
as all American citizens should, his political 
proclivities are toward the Republican party. 




living in ease and retirement in his 
pleasant home at No. 13 Griswold Street, in 
the village of Walton, caring as best he may 
for his physical health, which has been im- 
paired for many years. He is of New Eng- 
land birth. New Canaan, Conn., being the 
place of his nativity, and March 15, 1834, the 
date of his entrance into this world. His 
paternal grandfather, John Bartow, was a pio- 
neer farmer of North Walton. He reared 
seven children; namely, Stephen, John, 
Lewis, Chaunccy, Jonah, Reuben, and Polly 
— all of whom married, with the exception of 
the daughter. None of this family are now 
living, the last survivor having been the son 
Reuben, who departed this life in 1890, hav- 
ing nearly reached his eightieth milestone. 
His widow resides in Oneonta. 

Stephen Bartow, the father of Andrew 
Peck, was born in New Canaan, Conn., April 
I, 1794, and was a life-long resident of that 
State, dying there in 1878. He married 
Sally Clinton, who was born in New Canaan, 



September i, 1793, and during her long life 
of nearly eighty-three years never left the 
State of her nativity. She was the only child 
of her parents, Allen and Sarah (Keeler) 
Clinton. Her father and an uncle. General 
Clinton, served in the Revolutionary War, 
wherein they won renown for their bravery and 
efficient service, her father afterward draw- 
ing a pension from the government. He was 
of most commanding appearance, standing six 
feet two inches in height, very straight and 
erect, and weighing over two hundred pounds. 
His teeth, both upper and under, were all 
double, and he could bite a goose quill in 
two. He was a farmer by occupation. Both 
he and his wife were sincere Christian people, 
and belonged to the Congregational church. 
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Bartow reared nine 
children, five sons and four daughters, of 
whom the following are living: Lucy Ann, 
the widow of George Whitney, lives in New 
Canaan; Anson is a farmer in Walton; Philo 
recently moved from Walton to Connecticut; 
Andrew P. lives in Walton; Charles L. is a 
farmer and stone-mason in New Canaan; A 
daughter, Roxie, died at the age of six years. 
Catherine died in infancy. Sophronia, the 
wife of Henry M. Webb, died in 1862, at 
the age of thirty-eight years, leaving one 
daughter. 

Andrew P. Bartow was reared on a farm, 
and received a good common-school education, 
among other studies mastering Dabol's arith- 
metic, then the leading text-book in that sci- 
ence. When seventeen years old he learned 
the shoemaker's trade, working at it in New 
Canaan, both before and after the beginning 
of the Civil War. Inspired by patriotic mo- 
tives, he was anxious to enlist in defence of 
his country's flag during the late Rebellion, 
and in August, 1863, was examined, but re- 
jected. On the 1 2th of September, 1863, 
however, he was drafted, and mustered into 
Company A, Sixth Connecticut Volunteer In- 
fantry, and served in the ranks until January, 
1865, when he was discharged, being disabled 
by paralysis caused by overmarching and ex- 
posure. He. was brought very low, and but 
little hope was entertained of his recovery, 
his sufferings being so intense that death 
seemed to him the most desirable thing that 




HiRfljw Montgomery. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'99 



could happen. Ik- returned home, expecting 
to die or to be a life-long crpiple, with no 
use of his left arm or side. In 1866 Mr. Bar- 
tow removed to Walton, where he opened a 
store for the sale of boots and shoes, and es- 
tablished a pretty good trade. Failing health 
intluced him to exchange the house and lot he 
had purchased for a farm of sixty acres up the 
river, to which he moved in 1879. Two years 
later Mr. Bartow traded his farm for a house 
in Walton; and recently he and his son 
George have bought a small farm of fifty acres 
in this locality, where the latter is carrying 
on general husbandry with good results. Mr. 
Bartow built his jjresent residence in 1884, 
and it is a model of comfort and good taste. 
Mr. Andrew P. Bartow and Miss Sarah A. 
Crabb were united in marriage on August 3, 
1858. Mrs. Bartow was born in Stamford, 
Conn., April 2S, 1833, a daughter of Jere- 
miah and Ruth ( Xorthrup) Crabb. George 
Bartow, a farmer, the eldest of the four chil- 
tlren of Mr. and Mrs. Bartow, has a wife and 
four children. Charles, the seconil, a manu- 
facturer and dealer in furniture at No. 86 
Delaware Street, lias a wife and one daughter. 
Harry Kdson, a reed W'orker in the Novelty 
Works, has a wife and one son. Jennie Belle, 
the only daughter, a young lady of eighteen, 
lives with her parents. ]\Ir. Bartow is held 
in much esteem by his friends and fellow- 
townsmen, being" a man of strong opinions and 
sound judgment, and one whose character is 
above reproach. He is an ardent advocate of 
the principles of the Republican part)', and he 
has served his town as Constable and Collec- 
tor. Socially, he is a Master Mason, and an 
influential member of the Ben Mar\'in Post, 
No. 209, Grand Army of the Republic. His 
religious beliefs coincide with the doctrines 
of the Congregational church; while his wife, 
who is a noble type of the worthy Christian 
]ieople of this vicinity, is a member of the 
Methodist church. 

Charles A. l^artow was born in New Ca- 
naan, Conn., April 26, 1863. He completed 
his education in the Walton Academy, which 
he left at the age of sixteen years to engage 
in manual labor. On the 1st of November, 
1882, he began working at the cabinet-maker's 
trade; and, having become proficient in every 



brancii thereof, he established liimself in busi- 
ness on his own account as a manufacturer 
and dealer in furniture. He is a \oung man 
of enterprise and integrity, and a valued citi- 
zen. On the 6th of October, 1889, he mar- 
ried Mary K. Wilson, who was born in 
Downsville, a daughter of George S. and 
Sarah (Combes) Wilson. Mr. Wilson is a 
carpenter by trade, now living in Walton in 
order to give his youngest daughter, Jeanette, 
the benefit of the excellent educational advan- 
tages afforded by the village schools. Ada, 
the remaining daughter of Mr. and 'Mrs. Wil- 
son, is the wife of I^. R. Johnson, a railroad 
man. Mrs. Mary K. Bartow is a cultivated 
woman, and before her marriage was a very 
successful teacher, her mother also having 
been early engaged in this calling. Two 
children have been born to Charles A. and 
Mary ]i. Bartow, one of whom, a beautiful 
boy, died in infancy. Flossie Combes, the 
remaining child, is now three years of age. 
Politically, Mr. Bartow is a firm and uncom- 
promising Republican. He has been Com- 
mander of the order of the Sons of Veterans 
of George Crawley Camp, No. 143, Depart- 
ment of New York, also is a worthy member 
of Walton Lodge, No. 559, of Master Masons, 
the same lodge of which his father is a 
member. 



/STkORGE and DAVH) MONTGOM- 
\ •) I FRY, sons of Hiram .Montgomery, 
an energetic and successful pioneer 
farmer of Delaware County, seem to have in- 
herited much of the sagacity of their fore- 
fathers, who were active in i)romoting every 
enterjirise that tended toward the advancement 
of the section in which they had cast their 
lots. The great-grandfather of the brothers 
was a native of the northern jiart of Ireland, 
and came to America and settled in Vermont. 
His name was Robert Montgomery, and he 
finally moved with his family to Salem, 
Washington County, N.Y., where he died at 
the age of sixty-five, leaving a family of 
seven children — Robert, William, Martin, 
Alexander, Hugh, Polly, and Jane. 

W'illiam, the secontl son of Robert and 
Polly Montgomery, was horn in Wrmont, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



where he married Sally Conkee, and whence 
he came to Delaware in 1806, settling on the 
estate now owned by Robert Hastings. Here 
he built a log house, and lived with his 
family in the lonely forest depths. Thir- 
teen children were born to the husband and 
wife, who toiled happily and ate the bread of 
their labor in peace and contentment. Thir- 
teen small, hungry mouths to feed, thirteen 
little bodies to clothe and nourish and pro- 
tect, thirteen souls and active brains to be 
guided and trained and moulded into useful, 
honorable, patriotic American citizens! The 
work was a great one; but William and Sally 
Montgomery were honest and capable and 
strong. The "baker's dozen" of offspring 
came in the following order: William, Hiram, 
De Bois, Richard, Dewitt, Betsey, Lucy, 
Mary, Angeline, Sally, Eleanor, Harriet, 
and Louisa. The tract of land upon which 
he first settled was afterward sold, and one 
hundred acres were leased, just above the 
place now owned by the two descendants 
whose names form the headline of this family 
chronicle. This he cleared and put into cul- 
tivation, building another habitation for his 
household. Living in those early days was 
no easy matter to those who had only their 
own labor to depend upon for support, and 
so William had to work other men's lands in 
order to keep his own and support the family 
of children intrusted to his keeping. When 
the War of 181 2 broke over the land, he was 
drafted, but drew a blank, and was thus en- 
abled to continue working the virgin soil, 
while his neighbors went to fight the British- 
ers once more. He was Democratic in his 
political views. He and his faithful wife 
each lived to be about seventy-nine years old, 
he dying in 1858, and she ten years later. 

Hiram, who was born in Roxbury, No- 
vember I, 181 1, received a rudimentary edu- 
cation in the district school, but read and 
improved himself at home as far as he could. 
At twenty-two he began to farm, and seven 
years later, in 1840, bought one hundred 
acres of land which was heavily timbered 
with hemlock. The trees he cut down and 
peeled, selling the bark at such advantageous 
terms that he was able to pay for the land 
with the proceeds. He married, at the age 



of thirty-eight. Miss Rheuana Peck, born June 
20, 1822, a daughter of Lucy (Barnham) and 
Oliver Peck, the latter a cooper and farmer 
of Connecticut, who lived to be eighty-three 
and left these children — Warden, Smith, Eli, 
Charles, Rheuana, Sarah, and Polly. To 
Hiram and Rheuana (Peck) Montgomery were 
born nine children — George, Rheuana, 
Hiram, Jr., David, Otis, Liberty, Jenette, 
Emma, and Agnes. Rheuana married Mr. 
Andrew McCarrick, and lives at Caton in 
Steuben County. She has one child, An- 
drew B. Otis married Miss Minerva Van- 
Aiken. They live at North Sanford, Broome 
County. Liberty lives at home; and Hiram 
has bought the farm just across the brook 
from his father's old homestead, which is now 
conjointly owned by David and George. 
Hiram, Jr., married Miss Ella Scudder; and 
they have two daughters — Nellie and Grace. 
Emma married Henry Reed; and they have 
two children — Charles and Harry. Jenette 
married Otis Tiffany, and has two children — 
Cora and Hiram. Agnes is single, and re- 
sides on the home place. George is a Past 
Master of Cceur de Lion (Masonic) Lodge, 
also a member of Delta Chapter, No. 185, 
and of Rondout Commandery, No. 52, Knights 
Templar. 

Hiram Montgomery, the father of the 
family, died at his home October 19, 1894, 
aged eighty-three years. He was laid to rest 
with Masonic honors, he having been a 
Mason for many years. The wife, Rheuana 
(Peck) Montgomery, preceded her husband 
two years, having died September 23, 1892. 

On the site where now stands the Montgom- 
ery mansion five gigantic hemlocks raised 
aloft their sombre heads toward the northern 
skies; and so deeply rooted were they that 
Hiram had great difficulty in digging the 
.stumps from the soil, that a cellar might be 
dug and foundation laid for the house. Many 
are the family associations gathered about 
this ancestral home of the Montgomerys. 
The mountains and woods that covered the 
old place were literally infested with deer in 
the early days of the settlement. They came 
in such herds, indeed, that the hounds were 
in danger often of being killed by the valiant 
stags, whose sharp antlers sometimes severed 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



the clogs' heails from tlioir bodies. Where the 
deer stalked proudly and unmolested, and the 
howl of the wolf and the panther sounded 
dismally through the long watches of the 
night three-quarters uf a century ago, a mag- 
nificent orchard of fine fiuit-trees now stands 
to mark the energy, industry, and foresigiit of 
Hiram Montgomery, who set them with his 
own hand, and watched them sprout and grow 
and develop into maturity and bearing. In 
all the neighborhood there is not an estate 
in a more highly developed state of cultiva- 
tion than the Montgomer)' farm; and its 
owners, George and David, are justl_\- proud 
of the homestead of their fathers. 

The accompanying portrait of lliram Mont- 
gomery is an interesting addition to the 
family record, and an ornament to this 
\'olume. 




^^''Al^ 11.1,1AM BROWN HAXFORD, the 
author of the f(dlowing reminis- 
cences of the Levi Manford branch 
of the Ilanford family — which he has written 
expressly for this "Review," only a small jiart 
of his manuscript ha\ing previously been in 
print — early in the present year, 1894, 
passed his ninetieth birthday, in Franklin 
\'illage, N.Y., where he has resided since 
i860 in retired life. He was born in New 
Canaan, Conn., May 19, 1804, and removed 
with his parents and family in 1808 to Wal- 
ton, N.Y., where he passed more than half of 
a century on the ancestral farm. 

This branch of the Ilanford family he can 
trace back seven generations to an ancestral 
Hanford, a man of large propert\- and respec- 
tability, whose given name is unknown, but 
who died in England in 1596 or 1597. He 
married F.glin .Sells, a widow. Her maiden 
name was Eglin Ilatherly. .She had by her 
second marriage one son, the Rev. Thomas 
Hanford, to whom all the Hanfords of this 
country can be traced back. He was born in 
England in 1621, and was early sent to school 
and college. He was a decided Puritan in 
]3rinciple, and opj^osed to the tyranny and per- 
secution of the Ivstablished Church toward all 
others. For that reason he could not receive 
the honors due to his college attainments. 



Feeling deeply the cruelty and injustice that 
was inflicted on him, it was not stran-e tiiat 
in 1642 he should be found an immigrant to 
the New h'ngland colonies. In 1643 ^^e find 
him completing his education with the Rev. 
Charles Chauncy, one of the most learned and 
l)opular Puritan divines of that day, and after- 
ward preaching for a time in New Haven, 
Conn. From there he went into Massachu- 
setts. On May 22, 1650, he was made a free- 
man of the colony. In 1652 he was called 
to the iwstorate of the church of Norwaik, 
Conn. He preached there for forty consecu- 
tive years. He married Hannah Newbury, 
daughter of Thomas Newbury. She died 
shortly, leaving no children; and on July 22, 
1 66 1, he married Mary Ince, widow of Jona- 
than Ince, and daughter of Richard Miles. 
They liad a family of ten children, as follows: 
Theoi)hilus, born July 29, 1662, who died un- 
married; Mary, November 30, 1663; Han- 
nah, Jmie 28, 1665; IClizabeth, July 9, 1666; 
Thomas, July 18, 1668 (he was the branch 
from which the Levi Ilanford branch of the 
Hanford family sprung); Eleazor, September 
15, 1670; Elnathan, October 11, 1672; Sam- 
uel, .'\pril 5, 1674; luuiice, Alareh, 1675; 
Sarah, May. 1677. 'l''i<-' Ke'v. Thomas Han- 
ford died in Norwaik, in 1693, at the age of 
seventy-two years, respected and highly es- 
teemed. His wife, Mary Miles Hanford,' died 
September 12, 1730, at the advanced age of 
one hundretl and (']vc years. 

In 1692 Thomas Hanfortl, second son of 
the Rev. Thomas Hanford, married Hannah 
Burwell, widow of John Burwell, and daugh- 
ter of Gershon Lockwood. The\- had a family 
of five children: Theophilus, born in 1693; 
Elnathan; IClizabeth; Catharine; and Hilary. 
The gravestones of Thomas Hanford and his 
wife were standing at their graves in 1893, in 
good preservation. Theophilus Hanford, the 
writer's great-grandfather, bought land, and 
built on it about the year 1718 or 1719, the 
first house built in the part of Norwaik that 
became New Canaan. Theophilus and his 
wife Sarah had a family of four sons and two 
daughters, namely: Dinah, bom October 11, 
1720; Theophilus, April 26, 1724: Levi, 
.March 4, 173 1, died May 21, 1796, aged 
si.\ly-five years; Ebenczer, born October 14, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



1733; Abigail, January 20, 1738; Simeon, 
July 7, 1741- Tlieophilus Hanford, Sr., 
built a house for his son Theophilus, in the 
hope that he would marry and settle in domes- 
tic life. But he, being of a roving, restless 
disposition, did not accept his father's offer. 
The house was afterward given to his second 
son, Levi, who soon after married Sarah Eliza- 
beth Carter, daughter of Ebenezer Carter, a 
well-to-do farmer noted for generous hospital- 
ity, patriotism, and good living. She was 
born in 1731, and died in 1776, aged forty- 
five years. He was a man of good mind, 
honest and upright in all the vocations of 
life, standing high in the esteem of all that 
knew him, but of a quiet, unassuming, domes- 
tic turn. They were devout and respected 
members of the Baptist church. He was a 
good farmer and the owner of mills. 

Levi Hanford, Sr., and his wife passed 
their lives in domestic happiness and comfort. 
They had a family of three sons and two 
daughters, whose names, dates of birth and 
marriage were as follows: Ebenezer, their 
first child, was born February 27, 1755, and 
married Hannah, daughter of Thaddeus Han- 
ford. He had poor health, was a well-edu- 
cated man, a farmer, and a writer for papers 
and books. They left no children. He died 
October 19, iSs's, aged seventy-eight years. 
Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, born June 20, 
1757, died April 23, 1828, being burned to 
death, her clothes taking fire from smoulder- 
ing coals on the hearth, while engaged in 
secret prayer early in the morning. She was 
a woman of strong mind, well stored with 
useful knowledge. She married Captain 
Isaac Keeler, who was an officer in the Con- 
tinental army under General Washington, and 
was in many of the hardest-fought battles of 
the Revolution. He with his company passed 
that terrible winter at Valley Forge, in tents 
all winter. After the war was closed, he 
went into mercantile business for some year.?, 
during which time he married the before-men- 
tioned Elizabeth Hanford. He eventually re- 
ceived the appointment of Police Justice in 
New York City; and after several years' ser- 
vice in that office he was appointed to a 
place in the New York Custom-house, which 
office he retained till his death. His death 



was caused by consumption, the result of a 
severe cold taken during the War of 181 2. 
In that war, when New York City was threat- 
ened with an attack by the British, and troops 
were called in protection, many of the vet- 
erans of the Revolution volunteered and 
formed companies to assist in guarding the 
city. Keeler was one of them, and was ap- 
pointed an officer. He endeavored to show 
the spirit and energy of his former years of 
military life, and took without hesitation his 
part in the hardships and exposures of the 
camp with the best. But the years that had 
been added to his life had unfitted him for 
such hardships; and when on one cold, rainy 
night he was out on guard duty, and was very 
much chilled, he took a severe cold that never 
left him, but continued until it culminated 
in consumption and death. They left no 
children. 

Levi, the second son of Levi Hanford, Sr., 
was born September 19, 1759. His child- 
hood and early youth were passed with his 
parents and family on the farm till 1775, 
when the Revolutionary War broke out, and 
he was sixteen, the age at which the law then 
held them liable to military duty. He then 
enlisted in a company of minute-men, liable 
to be called into service at a moment's warn- 
ing for short periods of a few days, weeks, 
or months at a time, as local circumstances 
made it necessary. The manner of calling 
out those minute-men, in case of an alarm, 
was as follows : The news of the approach of 
an enemy was usually heralded by an express 
rider in haste to the town officer authorized 
to receive the news. He would hasten to the 
meeting-house hill, and there, in a voice as 
loud as he could make it, would cry: "Hear 
ye! Hear ye! Hear ye!" three times, then 
proclaim the cause of the alarm, and then beat 
the long roll on the drum. The minute-men 
first hearing the alarm would mount their 
horses, and ride in every direction, to spread 
the information. When the men were assem- 
bled, the officers would explain the cause of 
the alarm, and then march wherever they were 
needed. If the alarm was an important one, 
a cannon was fired, that denoted danger and re- 
quired haste. On one of those occasions Levi 
Hanford, Jr., was called to New York for 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



I 



some length of time. W'liilc there he was 
sent with a dctaehment of men, one very dark 
and stormy night, to Governor's Island, and 
broke the first ground ever broken for a forti- 
fication on that island. The British Heet was 
lying at anchor in the lower bay. They had 
placed sentries around the island. The Brit- 
ish, mistrusting that something was being 
done, sent up boats to reconnoitre. Tiiey 
would row u|) as near as they dared; the sen- 
try would hail them, and, receiving no answer, 
would fire. They would haul off, to come up 
again at some other point. This continued 
through the night. In the morning the men 
were withdrawn, to be replaced at evening. 
Levi Hanford, Jr., was a soldier in active 
service during the war. Again he was called 
out, and, while on guard duty, was surrounded 
by British and Tories, who came across the 
Sound in whale-boats antl took the guaril, 
Hanford among the rest. 

The following sketch (.)f Levi Hanford, Jr., 
and the old Sugar House Prison is abbre- 
viated from an account taken down in his 
words about forty-six years ago, and pub- 
lished in 1S52, in which year he was pre- 
sented with a cane made by David Barker from 
one of the oak beams of the old prison. The 
veteran was then in his ninety-third \'ear, 
feeble in body, but still able to walk, atul 
still retaining his faculties in a remarkal^le 
degree, and the memory of Revolutionary 
events and the transactions of by-gone days 
in great perfectness, the result, no doubt, of 
habits of steady industry, temperance, and 
morality, joined to a good constitution: 

"In March. 1777, I was called as one of 
a guard of thirteen men on the coast of Long 
Island Sound. On March 13, 1777, a very 
dark and stormy night, we v.'cre stationed 
as a guard at what was then an out-station 
called Oldwell, now South Norwalk. Our 
officers were negligent: and, for that cause, in 
the night the guard was surrounded by Brit- 
ish and Tories from Long Island, and the 
guard made prisoners, myself among the rest, 
an ignorant boy of seventeen. We were taken 
in whale-boats across the sound to Hunting- 
ton, L.I., from there to Flushing, and then 
taken from there to New York, and incarcer- 
ated in the old -Sugar House Prison in Lib- 



erty Street, near the new Dutch Ciuuch, at 
th;il time converted into a riding-school foi- 
British light horse, and afterward into the 
city post-office. The old prison, now t(jrn 
down, was a stone building six stories iiigh; 
but tlie stories were very low, which matle it 
dark and confined. It was built for a sugar 
refinery, and its apj^earancc was dark and 
gloomy; while its small antl dee]) windows 
gave it the appearance of a prison, which it 
really was, with a high board fence enclosing 
a small yard. We found at that time about 
forty or fifty prisoners, in an emaciated, starv- 
ing, and wretched condition. Their numbers 
were continually being diminisheil by death, 
and as constantly increased by the accessions 
of new ])risoners to the number of four hun- 
dred and fifty or five hunilred. Our allow- 
ance of provision was pork and sea biscuit; it 
would not keep a well man in strength. The 
biscuit was such as had been wet with sea 
water and damaged, and was full of worms 
and mouldy. It was our common practice to 
put water into our camp kettle, then break the 
bread into it, skim off the worms, put in tlie 
pork and boil it, if we had fuel. But that 
was allowed us only a i^art of the time; and. 
when we could get no fuel, we had to eat our 
meat raw, and our biscuit (h-y. Starved as 
we were, there was nothing in the shape of 
food that was rejected or was unpalatable. 
Crowded together in bad air, and with such 
diet, it was not strange that disease and pesti- 
lence should prevail. I had not been long 
there before I was taken with the small-[)ox, 
and taken to the small-pox hospital. I had it 
light, and soon returned to the prison, but not 
till I had seen it in its most malignant forms. 
Some of my companions died in that hospital. 
I remained in prison for a time, when, from 
i)ad air, confinement, and bad diet, I was ■ 
taken sick and conveyed to the Uuaker Meet- 
ing Ilosintal, so called from its being a 
Ouaker church. I soon became insensible; 
and the time passed unconsciously till I 
began slowly to recover health and strength, 
and I again quitted those scenes of disease 
and death for the prison. On my return 1 
found the number of our companions still 
further reduced by sickness and death. Dur- 
ing all this time an influence was being ex- 



204 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



erted to induce the prisoners to enlist into 
the Tory regiments. Although our sufferings 
were intolerable, and the men were urged by 
Tories who had been their neighbors, and had 
enlisted into the Tory regiment, yet the in- 
stances were rare that they could be influenced 
to enlist. So wedded were they to their prin- 
ciples that they chose honorable death rather 
than sacrifice them. 

"I remained in prison till October 28, 
when the names of a company of prisoners 
were taken down, and mine among the rest. 
It was told us that we were going home. 
We drew a week's provisions, which by solic- 
itation we cheerfully divided among our starv- 
ing associates, whom we were to leave in 
prison. But whether it was to torment and 
aggravate our feelings I know not; but this I 
do know, that, instead of going home, we 
were taken from the prison and put on board 
of one of the prison ships (the 'Good Intent ') 
lying in the North River, and reported there 
with one week's provisions. The scene of 
starvation and suffering that followed cannot 
be described. Everything was eaten that 
could appease appetite. From this and other 
causes, and crowded as we were with over two 
hundred in the hold of one ship, enfeebled as 
we had become, and now reduced by famine, 
it was not strange that pestilence began to 
sweep us down, till in less than two months 
we were reduced to scarcely one hundred. In 
December, when the river began to freeze, 
our ship was taken around into the Wallabout 
Bay, where lay the ' Old Jersey ' and other 
prison ships of horrific memory, whose rotted 
hulk long remained to mark the spot where 
thousands yielded up their lives, a sacrifice to 
British cruelty. The dead from those ships 
were thrown into the trenches of our fortifica- 
tions; and their bones, after the war, were 
collected and decently buried. It was here 
that Ethan Allen exhausted his fund of curses 
and bitter invectives against the British, as 
he passed among the prisoners and viewed 
their loathsome dens of suffering, after his 
return from his shameful imprisonment in 
England. 

"The day before New Year's the sick were 
placed in a boat for the city. She had lost a 
piece of a plank from her bottom; but it was 



filled with ice, and we were taken in tow. 
The boat began to leak, and, before we had 
gone far, was half filled with water. When 
the boat touched the dock, she struck level 
with the water; and we held on with our 
hands to the dock and a small boat by our side 
to keep from sinking. The sailors reached 
down from the dock, took hold of our hands, 
and drew us up. I remember that I was 
drawn up with such violence that the skin was 
taken from my chest and stomach. We were 
taken to the hospital in Dr. Rogers's brick 
meeting-house (as it was then called, after- 
ward Dr. Spring's church, and now the Times 
building occupies the same ground). From 
the yard I carried one end of a bunk, from 
which some person had died, into the church, 
and got into it, exhausted and overcome. 
The head nurse made me some tea, and piled 
blankets on me, till I sweat profusely and fell 
asleep. When I awoke in the morning, they 
gave me some mulled wine and water. Wine 
and some other things were sent in by our 
government for the sick: the British furnished 
nothing. I then lay perfectly easy and free 
from pain; and it appeared to me that I never 
was so happy in my life, and yet so weak that 
I could not get out of my bunk had it been to 
save the Union. The doctor (who was an 
American surgeon and a prisoner, had been 
taken out of the prison to serve in the hos- 
pital) told me that my blood was breaking 
down and turning to water from the effect 
of small-pox. He said I must have some bit- 
ters. I gave him what money I had. and he 
prepared some for me; and, when that was 
gone, he had the kindness to prepare some for 
me at his own expense. I began slowly to 
gain, and finally to walk about. While 
standing one day in March by the side of 
the church in the warm sun, my toes began to 
sting and pain me excessively. I showed 
them to the surgeon when he came in. He 
laid them open. They had been frozen, and 
the flesh had wasted till little more than the 
bone and tough skin remained. I had now to 
remain here for. a long time on account of my 
feet. And of all places that was the last to 
be coveted. Disease and death reigned there 
in all their terrors. I have had men die by 
the side of me in the night, and have seen 



BIOGRArillCAI. RF.VIFAV 



205 



fifteen (lead bodies sewed up in their blankets, 
and laid in the coiner of tlie yard at one time. 
Every morning at eight o'clock the dead-cart 
came, the bodies were jnit in, the men tlrew 
their rum, and the carts were driven off to the 
trenches of the fortifications that our people 
had made. Once I was permitted to go with 
the guard to the place of interment, and never 
shall I forget the scene that I beheld. They 
tumbled the bodies into the ditch, just as it 
happened, threw on a little dirt, and then ran 
away. I could see a hand or a head washed 
bare by the rains. One day, about the first of 
May, two officers came into the prison. One 
of them was a sergeant by the name of Wally, 
who from some cause, and what I never knew, 
had taken a great dislike tome; the other, an 
officer by the name of Hlackgrove. They told 
us there was to be an exchange of the oldest 
prisoners. They began to call the roll. A 
great many names were called, but no answer 
given : they had been exchanged by that 
Being who has the power to set the captive 
free. Here and there was one to step for- 
ward. At last my name was called. I at- 
tempted to ste]:) forward to answer, when 
Sergeant Wally turned and frow-ned upon me 
with a look of demoniacal fury, and motioned 
me back. I dared not answer. All was still. 
Then other names were called. I felt that, 
live or die, that was the time to speak. I 
told Officer Blackgrove that there were but 
eleven older prisoners than myself. lie 
looked at me, and asked why I did not answer. 
I told him I attempted to answer, but Ser- 
geant Wally stoppetl me. He turned and 
looked at him with contempt, and then put 
my name down. But of the twelve prisoners 
taken with me only two now remained: my- 
self and one other were the only ones to be 
exchanged. 

"I was now returned to the prison; and 
from that time forward I enjoyed comfortable 
health to the close of my imprisonment, 
which took place in the May following. (_)ne 
day I was standing in the yard near the high 
board fence. A man passed in the street 
close to the fence, and, without stopping or I 
turning his head, said in a low voice: "(ien- 
cral Burgoync is taken, with all his armv. It 
is a truth, you may depend upon it." Shut 



out from all information as we had been, the 
news was grateful indeed, and cheered us in 
our wretched prison. Knowing nothing of 
what was taking place beyond the confines of 
our miserable abode, we had been lelt to dark 
forebodings and fears as to the result of our 
cause am! the probabilities of our government 
being able to exchange or release us. We 
knew not whether our cause was even progress- 
ing or whether resistance was still continued. 
On May 8, 1778, we were released from our 
vvretcheil abode. They, as if to torment and 
trouble us, took the Southern prisoners off 
toward Boston to be discharged, and the East- 
ern prisoners were taken to l^li/.abethtown, 
N.J. From there we went to Newark. 
There everything was clad in the beauty of 
spring, and appeared so delightful that we 
could not forbear going out and rolling on the 
green grass. The luxury appeared so great, 
after a confinement of fourteen months in a 
loathsome prison, clothed in rags and filth, 
and with associates too numerous and offen- 
sive to admit of description. 

"From here we travelled as fast as our en- 
feebled powers would permit. We crossed 
the Hudson River at Dobb's I'"erry. Here we 
began to separate, each for his own home. 
The officers pressed horses and went on. My 
companion and m\self were soon wending our 
way slowly and alone. As we ])assed on, we 
saw in the distance two men riding toward us 
with each a led horse. It did not take me 
long to discover the man on a well-known 
horse to be my father, and the other the father 
of my comrade. The meeting I will not at- 
tempt to describe here: but, from the circum- 
stances and the nature of the case, you mav 
imagine it was an affecting one. And espe- 
cially so, as my friends had been informed 
some time before that I had died in prison. 
They had had ijraxers offered up, according to 
the custom of the times, and the family had 
gone into mourning. They therefore felt as 
if they had received me from the dead. The 
otficers had carried the news of our return, 
and our fathers had ridden all night to meet 
us. We proceeded on our w^iy ; and, ere the 
shades of evening closed around us, we were 
once more in the bosom of friends and the 
enjoyment of the society of those we loved 



2o6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



and the sweets of home. And may my heart 
ever rise in gratitude to that Being whose 
preserving care has ever been over me, and 
has never forsaken me." 

As soon as he had regained his health, 
Levi Hanford again took his position in Cap- 
tain Seymour's company, and continued in 
active performance of his duty to the termina- 
tion of the war. He was present at the tak- 
ing and burning of Norwalk, Conn., and 
assisted in driving the British and Tories 
back to their ships. At another time he was 
one of a body of troops that was called out 
to repel a large British force that was advanc- 
ing from King's Bridge, foraging, marauding, 
and burning everything in their way. The 
American army marched in two divisions, one 
taking the Post road, and the other a more 
circuitous route, and coming together at a 
designated place near the enemy. The night 
was excessively cold, and the men suffered. 
The detachment to which Hanford belonged 
reached first their place of destination, and 
halted near a public house. Hanford and a 
few others of his party soon entered the house 
and found their way to a fire. While they 
were engaged in warming themselves, an 
officer, whose name is not now recollected, 
came in, chilled and shivering with the cold, 
and placed his hands over Hanford"s shoulders 
to warm. While thus engaged, he and Han- 
ford were led to notice each other, and with 
a mutual half-recognition. Soon after this 
Hanford was standing at an outer door of the 
house; and, while there, that officer walked 
past him several, times, each time eying him 
closely. Finally, coming up to Hanford, he 
thus addressed him: "Sir, I think I know 
you. I recognize you as one of my fellow- 
prisoners of the old Sugar House Prison in 
New York. I thought I knew you when I 
first saw you. I was with you for a while in 
that den of human suffering." After a mutual 
greeting he asked Hanford how he liked his 
present position, to which the latter replied 
that he was not particularly attached to it. 
The officer then told him that he had letters 
and despatches to the Secretary of State at 
Hartford, and he would like him to go and 
deliver them. But he would have to furnish 
his own horse, pay his own expenses, and, 



when he had performed the duty, he must 
make his report, when he would be reim- 
bursed and draw his money. To this Han- 
ford readily assented. The duty was accord- 
ingly performed by him after the battle and 
the return of the British. 

In the mean time the troops passed on; 
and, after several skirmishes and a running 
fight, the British were finally driven back over 
King's Bridge. About that time another 
party of British and Hessians commenced the 
erection of a redoubt on the Harlem River; 
and a body of men, of which Hanford was 
one, was sent to stop their operations. The 
troops marched all night, intending to sur- 
prise the enemy, and make the attack at early 
dawn. They reached their destination before 
daylight, unobserved, and took a position 
from which they could take the redoubt with 
their small arms, aided by one piece of artil- 
lery, loaded with grape. In front of and near 
the redoubt was a vessel lying at the dock, 
loaded with fascines (fascines were bundles 
of brushwood bound together, like sheaves of 
grain, with their ends sharpened; they are laid 
in, in the building of breastworks, with their 
sharp points out), a portion of which had al- 
ready been landed. The Americans were hid 
from view when lying down; but, when they 
arose, the whole scene was open before them. 
At daylight a detachment of Hessians made 
its appearance, and soon came to the water for 
fascines. The Americans lay perfectly still 
until each Hessian had shouldered his bundle, 
and was about to return to the fort, when the 
command was given in a loud tone of voice: 
"Attention, men! Ready I Aim! Fire!" 
Quick as thought each man sprung to his feet; 
and a volley of musketry and a discharge of 
grape was poured in upon the enemy. The 
scene that follow-ed was ludicrous in the ex- 
treme. The enemy were taken completely by 
surprise and were terribly frightened. In 
their confusion and terror they threw down 
their bundles, and used every effort to run. 
Although they jumped and sprung, and swung 
their arms, and made desperate strides, yet 
for a time they seemed to have lost all ability 
to move forward; for, when one leg started in 
one direction, the other went off in an exactly 
opposite direction, and it was only by the 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



most dcsporatc effort of springing and jump- 
ing that tlicy effected their escape. This 
they were enabled to do at last liy reason of 
the river being between llieni and their pur- 
suers. The Americans, however, succeeded 
in carrying out the objects of the expedition. 
They destroyed the redoubt, made a prize of 
the vessel and cargo, and captured sonic 
jirisoners. 

On another occasion, when a party of Brit- 
ish ant! Tories came on an c.\])edition of plun- 
der and destruction, Hanford was again called 
out, with others, to repel them. Thev met 
the enemy, and after a skirmish succeeded 
in driving them back. The Americans pur- 
sued the retreating foe until the engagement 
became a running fight. The ]>ritish finally 
made a stand in a fa\orable position; and, 
when their pursuers came up, they found a 
rising ground before them, partially conceal- 
ing the enemy from their view. The division 
that Hanford was in had to pass over the 
ridge amid a galling fire, antl the bullets 
flew among them thick and fast. Hanford 
found shelter behind a large rock, under cover 
of which he used his gun for some time for a 
purpose, till finally, in attempting to reload 
it, the cartridge stuck in the barrel, and. in 
striving to force it down with his rod, he in- 
advertently leaned back to give more force to 
the rod, in doing which a part of his ]ierson 
became exposed to view. At that instant 
a ball whizzed past, just missing his head: 
and, looking up, he perceived a British soldier 
in the act of dodging back to hisco\ert. The 
Americans firmly maintained their ground, 
and after a fearful charge repulsed the 
enemy and drove them in disorder and confu- 
sion within the British lines, and bore off the 
honors of the day. 

After the war was over, Levi Hanford 
bought a farm, and built a house, and in 1782 
married Mary Mead, of Horseneck, in Green- 
wich, Conn., the daughter of General John 
Mead, an officer of the American army. His 
house and farm were between the American 
and British lines, and were repeatedly plun- 
dered, his cattle driven off, and his property 
damaged by British and Tories. At one time 
the house was surrountled b\- a companv of 
light horse. The table was set in the dinin<i- 



room for breakfast, and the family were just 
going to sit down to breakfast. An officer 
rode into the house and into the dining-room 
by the side of the table, and, 'putting his foot 
under the leaf, u]iset the talkie; and crockery, 
provisions, and all went to the floor with one 
general crash. He then with his sword broke 
and hacked to pieces all the mirrors, pictures, 
and furniture of the room anil all over the 
house. The sokiiers rii)ped open feather- 
beds, and emptied hives of hone\-, bees and 
all, in them, and rolled them all up together. 
They destroyed all they could find that they 
could not carry away. At another time when 
it was very dry, and the water had failed at 
the house, they had to go to a spring some 
I distance in the field to do their washing. 
One morning very earlv Mary (afterward the 
wife of Levi Hanford) went to that spring to 
rinse some clothes. Her brother John, who 
was an officer in the American army, had been 
taken jirisoner, and jiaroled and exchanged. 
He liad returned to duty, but was taken sick 
and sent home on a furlough. While Mary 
was at the spring, she saw her brother run 
from a back door of the house, in his shirt- 
sleeves, and run through an orchard and to 
where a hollow hickory-tree had been cut, and 
had sprouted from the roots into tall brush. 
He ran into that thicket, and ran his white 
sleeves into the hollow stump. Very soon 
after a company of l^ritish and Tory light 
horse rode up, and surroundetl her; an officer 
presented his sword to her breast, and de- 
manded where her biolher was, declaring he 
would take her life in an instant if she did 
not tell. She said: "■ How can I tell? I 
came here as soon as it was light enough 
to sec, and before the family were any of 
them up, and have not been from here since 
I came. Then how can I know?" After 
many more questions and terrible threaten- 
ings he became satisfied that she diil not 
know, and they all withdrew. By her cool 
firnuiess and intrepidity she saved her brother, 
though his place of concealment was plainly 
in sight, and almost within the sound of her 
voice. After many such scenes of excite- 
ment and danger the family found a home 
in what is now New Canaan, then a part of 
Xorwalk. 



2oS 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



When the war closed and the family re- 
turned to their former home and farm, they 
found it in a most wretched condition, the 
house torn to pieces, partitions torn out and 
walls broken, and the farm fences burned for 
fuel. The State of Connecticut made General 
Mead some amends for his losses by granting 
him a large tract of land in what was then 
known as the fire land of Ohio. It was not 
considered of great value in those early days, 
but since has become the richest part of 
Ohio. General Mead was elected to the State i 
legislature for nineteen consecutive years. 
He also received the appointment of Judge of 
the Court of Probate, and was acting in that 
office when he died. It was while General 
Mead's family were refugees from their home, 
and were living in New Canaan, that Levi 
Hanford and Mary Mead formed their first 
acquaintance. He bought land and built a 
house, where all their family of five sons and 
four daughters were born. After a residence 
of about twenty-five years in that place he 
sold his farm and removed with his whole 
family to Walton, N.Y., where he purchased 
a large farm, and built a good house. They 
were exemplary members of the Baptist 
church, and highly respected and esteemed as 
good citizens by all who knew them. She 
was born in Horseneck, in Greenwich, Conn., 
December ii, 1759, was married in 1782, and 
died September 15, 1847, in Walton, aged 
eighty-eight years. Hers was the first death 
in that family. He was born in Norwalk, 
Conn., September 19, 1759, ^"d died in Wal- 
ton, October 19, 1854, aged ninety-five years. 
He was a pensioner under act of Congress, 
and his interment was in the family cemetery 
in Walton, N.Y. 

John, third son of Levi Hanford, Sr., was 
born in Norwalk, May 16, 1762. His early 
childhood was passed with his parents. At 
the age of sixteen he enlisted in the Conti- 
nental army, and served to the end of the war. 
He was a good soldier, and became an officer, 
and saw much of the hardships and privations 
of that war, and participated in many of the 
hardest battles of the Revolution. He was a 
man of unusual cool courage and perseverance. 
For that reason he was always one selected 
when anything was undertaken that required 



daring firmness and resolution. After the 
close of the war he returned to his home, pur- 
chased his father's farm, and soon after mar- 
ried Miss Sally Weed. They had two 
daughters. But the hardships and exposures 
of the war had broken him down, and his 
health failed; and in November, 1807, he 
died of consumption. Mary, second daughter 
of Levi and Sarah Elizabeth Carter Hanford, 
was born 1767, and died 1776, aged nine 
years. 




RY EUGENE GANUNG, now a 
.'ery prominent citizen and trader in 
Arkville, in Middletown, was born 
in Roxbury in the same county, 
January 11, 1859. His great-grandfather was 
John Ganung, and his grandmother before 
marriage was Miss Devough Kniffin. John 
Ganung came from near Croton Falls, Putnam 
County, and settled at Batavia Kill, a pioneer 
in that section. After the death of his first 
wife he married the Widow Sloat. He lived 
to a good old age, and finally died as the re- 
sult of a broken arm. His children were 
Harry, Sniffin, Devough, Hannah, Sally, 
Ebenezer, Reuben. Three belonged to the 
first wife, and the others to the second. He 
was a committee-man of the Revolutionary 
War. 

His son Devough, the grandfather of the 
special subject of this sketch, was born in 
Putnam County, whence he was taken to Dela- 
ware County. His wife was Hattie Gregory; 
and they raised nine children: Hannah, 
Polly, John, Thomas, Sally, Sniffin, Jane, 
Edward, and Julia. It is Sniffin Ganung 
who is connected with this biography by his 
marriage with Electa Kelly. He was born at 
Batavia Kill. After working with his father 
till the age of twenty-five, he began business 
for himself, farming, speculating in land, and 
selling the timber cut therefrom. In 1870 he 
made a change of base, going into mercantile 
business at Roxbury, where his marriage took 
place. His wife was the daughter of Hiram 
and Sally (Borden) Kelly and the grand- 
daughter of David and Susan (Baker) Kelly, 
and more about the Kelly family may be 
found under that name. David Kelly was 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



209 



born in Putnam Count)-, and found liis way 
into Delaware County by following the blazed 
trees in the forest. He decided to take up 
land in what is now Halcottville, where he 
lived the rest of his days. Besides a farm- 
house he built a grist-mill, lie also served 
in the Revolutionary War, and lived to be 
ninety-nine, his wife dying at eighty-four. 
Their children were Davit), Norman, Reuben, 
Hiram, Elizabeth, Susan, iMarcia. Hiram 
Kelly was born in Putnam County, but came 
to Delaware County, ant! eventually took the 
homestead, caring for the farm and mill as 
long as he lived. There were three hundred 
acres of land, whereon his ten children grew 
up — Judah, Jane, Caroline, John, Electa, 
Emeline, Deborah, Hiram Jk)rden, Norman, 
and Lorenzo Kelly. Their father lived 
to be seventy, and his wife died only a 
year younger. He was a Reiiublican and a 
Baptist. 

Snififin Ganung lived to be seventy-five, and 
was an old-line Democrat. At his death he 
left only two children. The elder, Hogordis 
Ganung, was born June 3, [.S46. He married 
Josephine Aken, has one child, and carries 
on a saw and planing mill in Roxbury. In 
that town was educated the other son, the 
subject of this sketch, Henry Eugene Ganung. 
He remained with his father in the grocery 
till 1S87, when twenty-eight years old. Then 
he became station agent on the I'lster & 
Delaware Railroad. One year he worked at 
the station called IVig Indian and another year 
in Stamford. Since then he has been five 
years at the Tannersville station, Kaaterskill 
Railroad, and has also spent one year in the 
general office of the New Jcrsry & New York 
Railroad. Later he was at Eleischnianns two 
years and three years at Arkville. While a 
young man, he had learned surveying, and 
now took it up for a short time as a trade, but 
soon left it to engage in general merchandise 
in a store on Doctor Street, where he has a 
fine location. In 1892 he built himself a 
beautiful home near .Main Street, leading to 
Kelly's Corner, where reside so many of his 
kinsfolk. He did not marry till 1S90, when 
thirty-one years old. His wife was I'.lla Kil- 
quest, the daughter of John D. and Hannah 
Kilquest. Her father came from Sweden to 



America, settled in New Jersey, ano ilien 
came to Ulster County, where he worked in a 
tannery. Later they moved to Halcott, in 
Greene County, then to IJeaver Kill, where 
they bought a farm now numbering a hundred 
acres, one of the best in town. The Kil- 
quests have four children, — Ella, Tilla, limil, 
and William. I\Ir. Kilquest is a Republi- 
can, and the family attend the Methodist 
church. 

Mr. and Mrs. H. luigenc Ganung have only 
one child, a daughter, Nora, born July 24, 
1892. He is a Democrat, and has held the 
offices of Notary Public and Pension Agent. 
Masonically, he belongs to the lodge in Mar- 
garettville; and he is also a Knight of Pythias. 
In religion he holds very liberal opinions. 
Active in temperament, he is sure to become 
a still more important factor in the commun- 
ity as time adds to his experience and wisdom. 




I'.ORGl-: 1;. SMITH. M.D., the lead- 
ing physician of MasonviJle, was 
born in this town, December 28, 
1858. son of Phineas W. and Lucretia 
(Haight) Smith. His father was born in 
Massachusetts, and his mother in the town of 
Tomjikins, Delaware County. The Doctor's 
grandfather, Darius Smith, was from New 
England, and was one of the first settlers of 
Masonville. He was engaged extensively in 
the lumber trade for many years, and held 
several public offices in the town. He died 
here at the advanced age of ninety years. He 
had six children, one of whom is now living, 
Justine M. Smith, of Corning. N.\'. 

Phineas W. Smith, son of Darius, was edu- 
cated and brought up in Delaware County. 
He was a prominent farmer, owning a fine 
farm of one hundretl and thirtv acres, and was 
also a well-known raiser of stock. In politics 
he was a Republican, and held the office of 
Justice of the IVace. He reared two chil- 
dren, George E., the subject of this l)iogra])h- 
ical mention, and Calista. who died at the 
age of eighteen. His wife, Lucretia, died 
in i860, aged thirty-two. He survived her 
seventeen years, dying in 1877, aged sixly- 
eisht. 



George E 



Smith attended the district 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



schools of Masonville, afterwards giving his 
attention to the study of medicine, for which 
he showed an early predilection. When about 
twenty years of age, he studied with Dr. I. J. 
Whitney, of his town, remaining with him 
about three years. He attended the New 
York Medical College for two years, graduat- 
ing in 1882. After receiving his diploma, he 
came to Masonville, and bought out the prac- 
tice of Dr. Whitney. He then went to New 
Berlin for two years, afterward going to Val- 
entine, Neb., staying there one year. His 
next location was at Hornellsville, N.Y., 
whence in 1889 he returned to Masonville, 
where he has remained ever since, and has 
built up a very large practice. He was mar- 
ried September 12, 1882, to Miss Betsey A. 
McKinnon, a daughter of Daniel and Adeline 
S. McKinnon, of this town. 

Dr. and Mrs. Smith have no children. 
Mrs. Smith is a member of the Presbyterian 
church. In politics the Doctor is allied with 
the Republican party, and is not one who 
shirks the responsibilities of office. He was 
elected Supervisor in 1892, and re-elected in 
1894. He is a member of Masonville Lodge, 
No. 606, A. F. & A. M., of which he is 
Master. Dr. Smith is an extremely capable 
and popular man, well informed and practical, 
an ornament to his profession, and a highly 
useful, public-spirited citizen. 




kRS. ELIZABETH W. ALEXAN- 
DER, widow of the late Charles 
Alexander, may properly be 
counted among the most es- 
teemed and respected women of Walton, 
where she is well known as a devoted mother, 
a true frienil, and a genial acquaintance. 
Her father, Malconi Wright, was a native of 
Scotland, where he was born in 1805. \\'hen 
seventeen years of age, he came with his par- 
ents to America, and settled in Delhi, Dela- 
ware County, N.Y. Here he married in 1828 
Margaret Shaw, and commenced life as a 
farmer, being possessor, in company with his 
two brothers, of a large farm. With one of 
these brothers he later purchased a farm of 
one hundred and fifty acres in Walton, about 
two and one-half miles above the village; and 



it was on this estate that Malcom and Mar- 
garet Wright lived for many years, and reared 
a family of six daughters and three sons. 

Seven of these children are still living, 
and, with one exception, all are residents of 
the town of Walton. John Wright, the only 
member of the family who has forsaken the 
town of his birth, is now a resident of Cali- 
fornia, the Golden State and Italy of Amer- 
ica. After a long period of faithful labor in 
his adopted home Malcom Wright died in 1877, 
at the age of seventy-five years; and thirteen 
years later his wife, having reached the good 
old age of eighty-three years, passed away, 
their bodies now resting side by side in the 
Walton cemetery, where a fitting monument 
marks the graves of the beloved husband and 
wife. 

Elizabeth W. Wright, the subject of this 
sketch, was married October 19, 1854, to 
Charles Alexander, who was born in Pound 
Ridge, Conn., in 1S33, son of John and Susan 
CKnapp) Alexander. When Charles Alex- 
ander was a small boy, his parents moved to 
New York, settling at Unadilla, and a few 
years later removed to Walton, where they 
became the possessors of one hundred and 
sixty acres of fine farm land. Of the four 
sons and one daughter born to them here two 
of the sons, Charles and Albert, and the 
daughter, Mrs. William Townsend, are still 
living, and occupy their pleasant homes in 
Walton. 

For fifteen years after their marriage Mr. 
and Mrs. Charles Alexander operated their 
farm with great success, but at length bought 
a small piece of land near the village, and a 
few years ago erected a fine, pleasant home at 
94 North Street. Here Mr. Alexander died 
September 15, 1888, having reached the age 
of fifty-six years. By his unbounded industry 
and patience he had accumulated a goodly 
amount of worldly possessions, which at his 
death became the property of his widow and 
four daughters. One of these daughters, 
Elma S., wife of Charles Pierson, died June 
17, 1 89 1, aged thirty-five years, leaving one 
child, Nellie M. Pierson. 

Mrs. Pierson had been a teacher in the pub- 
lic schools, where she was greatly beloved; 
and her family has the most profound sym- 



iUOGRAPH ICAL R KV I KW 



pathy of a liost of friciuls in tlicir i^rcat hc- 
rcavcment. Tlic sur\'iving dauglUcrs of .Mr. 
antl Mrs. .AK-xamlcr are: Jennie, wife of 
Welles L. Baker, of New York City: Mary 
and Martha, twin sisters, who reside witli 
their mother at Walton, the former beini;' a 
musician of some distinction. Mrs. Alexan- 
der and her daiii^hters are members of the 
Congregational chinch of Walton, and take an 
active part in all the good work of this 
society, whereby the ])ublic is benefited and 
men and women are encouraged to lead nobler 
and better lives. 




b]:xi:/.i:r w. i.indsley, a fiighiy 

respected citizen of Downsville, was 
born December 12, 1S26, in .Sulli- 
van Countv, son of Samuel C. ami Sebiah 
(^Worden) Lindslev. .Samuel C. was born 
May 16, 179S, and was the son of Nehemiah 
and Mary ((iuildersleeve) Lindsley, the for- 
mer of whom was horn December 31, i /fig, 
.son of Joniah and Hannah C. Lindsley, who 
were of luiglish descent. 

Nehemiah came to Delaware Connty shortly 
before 1798, and during the first three }'cars 
assisted Rlr. .Stone, a merchant on tlie Pine 
place, acting as clerk and shoemaking, and 
adapting himself generally to the work at 
hand. Mr. Stone, thinking him lonely with 
his family so far away, sent for Mrs. I.indsley 
and the children; but, contrary to exjiecta- 
tion, this displeased Mr. Lindsley to such an 
extent that he wished them to return imme- 
diately. As the team with which the journey 
had been made had given out, tliey were 
obliged to stay. Some time after this Mr. 
Lindsley left Mr. Stone's employ, and settled 
in Lindsley Ilollow, buying a farm of several 
hundred acres. He was for a short time with 
Mr. Wilson in the tanning business, in 
Lindsley Hollow, where lie erected a house, 
barns, and out-buildings : and there is stand- 
ing to-day a barn built by him in 1S09. 
.Mr. and Mrs. Nehemiah Lindsley had these 
children — David, Ira, .Samuel C, Ezra, Han- 
nah, Agar, Rachel, .-Xbigail, Cyrus G., and 
Sarah M. Hotlv Mr. and Mrs. Lindsle)- were 
Presbyterians, and the church lost a faithful 
worker when he died. /\ugust 8, 1835. ■"'s 



wife suivived him seveial \eais, and died 
December 30, 1850. 

.Samuel C. Lindsley. the third son of Ne- 
hemiah, was born in New Jersey, but was 
brought in his infancy to Delaware County, 
where he continued to live until after his 
marriage. He took up surveying, and suc- 
cessfulh' followed this throughout the re- 
mainder of his life. He taught common 
schools a long time, beginning when he was 
sixteen. In .September, 1824, he married 
Sebiah Worden, daughter of Pardon and Mary 
(Haines) Worden. She was born May 8, 
1794, and died in May, 1864. They raised a 
famih' of four chiklren, namely: Pluebc Ca- 
lista, who died when young; I^benezer W., 
the subject of this sketch; Ira D., born .\pril 
30, 1828; and F.meline Adelia, born Novem- 
ber 29, 1829. who married John Haei', and 
now lives in Walton. .After his marriage 
.Samuel C-. bought two hundred acres of his 
father's farm, erected a house and barn, lived 
here about twenty-nine years, and then sold 
out and Went to Walton. A little later he 
went to Downsville, where his wife died, and 
then to .Sand Pond to li\e with his daughter, 
but finally came back to Downsville, and here 
died March 6, 1878. Mr. S. C. Lindsley was 
a strong Democrat, and was greatlv interested 
in all that concerned the town and the i")eo|ile. 
He held several public offices, among them 
being that of Assessor and Commissioner of 
Highwa\'s. He was a member of the Paptist 
church, as was also his wife. 

l-^benezer W. Lindslev. who was Ikmii in 
Sullivan County, came to Downsville when a 
boy seven vears (jf age, and was here reared to 
manhood. Deciding to follow his father's 
profession, he took up the stud\- of surveying, 
and by diligent application, together with his 
father's assistance, he soon mastered this use- 
ful branch of mathematics, becoming in time 
one of tlie best and most [latronized of Col- 
chester's surveyors, his practice extending to 
the neighl)oring towns and counties. His 
first work in this line was done in 1849, when 
he surveyed the old Wilson jiroperty ; and 
shortly after he corrected the lines of the Bax- 
ter farm on Baxter RIountain. April 15, 
1S51, he entered the store of Downs & I'.l- 
wood (located where F. B. Bear's block now 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



stands) as clerk, and in May, 1855, was taken 
as a partner in the firm, continuing in this 
but three years. In May, 1858, he sold out 
and went West, seeking for a good location in 
which to establish himself, and during this 
time visited Wisconsin and Kansas. But, 
meeting with little success in this quest, he 
finally came back to the town where he had 
started in life, and on February i, 1859, 
bought his old stand, and carried on a general 
store for about ten years, when he sold out, 
and then gave his whole attention to sur- 
veying. 

On October 10, 1855, Ebenezer W. Linds- 
ley married Mary A. Finch, born May 7, 
1826, the daughter of Jesse and Hulda (Mal- 
lory) Finch. Mrs. Mary A. Lindsley died 
May 21, 1857, leaving one child, Lilian E., 
born October 3, 1856, who is now married to 
Henry Bates, lives in Walton, and has a fam- 
ily of three children. On April 23, i860, 
Mr. Lindsley married for his second wife 
Julia Ann Shaffer, born August 20, 1821, 
daughter of Colonel Adam and Helena 
(Yeaples) Shaffer, and by this second mar- 
riage has one child, Mary Emma, born Au- 
gust 23, 1S63, who resides at home, and is 
a teacher of music. Three brothers, Jacob, 
Adam, and Philip Shaffer, came to Delaware 
County, and settled. Adam, the eldest son of 
Philip Shaffer, raised a family of twelve chil- 
dren, namely: Sally; Daniel B. ; Aaron P.; 
Deborah A. ; Jane C. ; Asa G. ; Julia A. ; 
Nicholas Y. ; Adeline; La Fayette; Morgan 
S. ; and Helena, Mrs. Lindsley. Colonel and 
Mrs. Shaffer were members of 
church, and died many years ago, 
1831, and he in June, 1854. 

Mr. Lindsley is an honored and trusted 
member of the community in which he lives, 
was executor of the estate of G. W. Downs, 
son of Abel Downs, who started a small store 
in Downsville in 1798, was administrator of 
the R. W. Elwood estate, and has held several 
town offices, such as Clerk and Assessor, 
where he has faithfully performed the work 
assigned him. He is a Prohibitionist, and 
what better thing could be said of a man than' 
that he is a worker for the cause of temper- 




the Baptist 
she in June, 



ance? He has been Notary Public continu- 
ously since April i, 1867. 



YROX HILL, a wealthy farmer of 
Kortright, was born in that town 
January 18, 1824, and is a son of 
Cyrus and Abigail (Burdict) 
Hill. His grandfather, John Hill, was one 
of the first settlers of Kortright, and a shoe- 
maker by trade. He was a local preacher of 
the Methodist faith, and spent the last days of 
his life in Livingston County, where he died 
at the age of eighty years. His wife, Phcebe 
Smith Hill, was also an octogenarian, and 
was the mother of a large family, of which 
Benjamin Hill, of Livingston County, is the 
sole survivor. 

Cyrus Hill was born in Kortright, Septem- 
ber 18, 1794, and died in 1834, at Bloomville. 
He was a hard-working farmer, and by his in- 
dustry and honorable dealing made a comfort- 
able fortune. Politically, he was a Democrat. 
The Methodist Episcopal church found in him 
a consistent member. His wife was Abigail 
Burdict, born April 27, 1794, in Kortright, a 
daughter of Alden Burdict, a pioneer of that 
town. She lived to be seventy-eight years 
old, and was the mother of five children, four 
of whom are living, namely: Alden A., of 
Stamford; Myron, of whom we write; Eliza- 
beth, the wife of Lewis Avery, of Kortright; 
and Freelove Jane, residing with her brother 
Myron. A daughter, Louisa, died at the age 
of sixty-five years. Mrs. Abigail Hill was an 
adherent of the Baptist church. 

Myron Hill \^as educated in the district 
school until fourteen years of age, when he 
started out in life for himself, working on the 
farm of John Avery, and receiving ten dollars 
per month. In 1859 he assumed the control 
of his grandfather Burdict's farm, agreeing to 
pay off the debts and support the aged couple 
for life. In this undertaking he was emi- 
nently successful. The present farm contains 
four hundred acres, the original purchase con- 
sisting of sixty-nine acres. Mr. Hill is in- 
dustrious and thrifty, and by his untiring 
efforts and indomitable perseverance has in- 
creased his farm to its present large propor- 
tions. He leases about two hundred acres, 
and cultivates the rest himself, devoting his 
time to stock-raising and dairying. He has 
never married, his sister living with him and 
taking charge of the household affairs. Mr. 



W"'' 



moCRAl'lllCAL KKVIKW ji^^ 

Hill is lilxral in his religious views, and a an early settler on the farm adjnjning tiie 

Democrat in politics, eminenth' successful in one where Ilirani I.. Ktllynow li\es. Hiram 

his occupation, and respected throughout the and Sall\- Kell\' iiad ten chiklren: Judah, 

town where he resides. born January ::i, i8og; Jane Ann, born March 

17, 181J; Carcdine, l^orn l-'ebruary S, 1S15; 
"" Jolin, born Januarv 20, 1 8 1 .S : J'.lecta, born 
ORKNZO \). Kl'.LLV is a prominent October jo. 1819; Kmcline, born September 
resident at Kell\"s Corners in the 24, 1822: Deborah, born \o\end)er 4, 1824; 
j| ^' ^ town oi Middletown, Delaware Hiram B., born Jul\- 16, 1827: Xorman, born 
Count)', but was born in Halcotts- on the last day of June, 1829; Lorenzo D., 
ville, in the same count)', September 29, boin September 29, 1831, and named doubt- 
1831, the son of Hiram Kell)', who was born less for the eccentric but large-iiearted Chris- 
August 8, 1784, in Putnam County, Xew tian who in those da)s went from hamlet to 
York, and his wife, Sail)- Borden, whose birth iiamlet throughout the States, preaching the 
was on January 15, 1784. His paternal gos])el with ter\or. On this farm Hiiani 
grandparents were David anil Susan (Jones) Kelly continued to live until his death, at 
Kell\-. David Kell)- was born in Putnam threescore and ten, his wife living to be seven 
Count)-, and came to Delaware County as a )-ears okkr. Mrs. Kelly was a member of the 
pioneer farnier in 1802, taking up land in 15a|)tist church. In inditics he was first a 
Halcottsville, now ownctl b)- the Kelh' Whig and afterward a Republican, and re- 
brothers. His one hundred and thirty acres joicetl at the national triumijh of the Rejiubli- 
were part of the wilderness. Yet. when the can part)- during the year preceding his death, 
family came thither, they brought all but one in 1861. 

child, the journey being accomplished in \Vhate\-er education the youngest son re- 
wagons. Of their seven children five grew up ceived was in the district schools. In 1853, 
to adult age — Susan, Reuben, Phineas, Nor- at the age of twenty-two, Lorenzo began farm- 
man, and Hiram Kelly. The little hut which ing at Bragg Hollow, where he bought one 
already stood on the jjlace eventually becan-ie hundred ami lift)- acres, and married -Sarah 
but a central [loint surrounded b)- houses, Ann Smith, daughter of Hiram and Susan 
barns, ami a grist-mill; and there l)a\-id (Chase) Smith. Father .Smith was the son of 
Kelly lived till he lacked only four years of a Edward Smith, a native of Kent, Putnarn 
complete century. His wife did not live so Count)-, where he not only cai-ried on a farm, 
long by si.xtecn \-ears, but eight)- may be con- init was County Jutlgc. He lived to be four- 
sidered a reasonably good old age. In relig- score, was a Democrat, and left six children 
ion thc\- were stanch Presbyterians, and the — Poll)-, Hiram, Plvcbe, Clara, James lul- 
grandfatlier was a private in the Revolutionary ward, and Joseiih .Sinith. Iliraui .Smith was 
War. He was the iiiore prosperous in jiis a fari-ner in Putnam County till his death, at 
undertakings because he owned the only niill the age of forty. His wife died at thirty-si.x; 
in this section of the country. and they left two children, Xaomi and Sarah 
The birthi)lace of his son, Hiram Kelly, Ann Smith, the latter becoming the wife of 
was in the south-east part of Putnam County, Loi-erizo Kelly. She was born October 19, 
near what is now called Dykcman Station, but 1831. a month after her husband. Mr. and 
was then called Bullet Hole. After the re- Mrs. Kelly lived in Biagg Hollow six years, 
moval, which took place when he was eigh- and tlien sold their farm and rei-noved to Prink 
teen vcars old, Hiram assisted his father on Street, where thev be)ught two hundred and 
the new farm and in the mill. In later years six acres, and lived for another six years. In 
he canic into possession of the homestead, 1864 they again sold out, and bought their 
adding thereto sorrie two hundred and fifty present estate of the same size, two hundred 
acres more land, besides enlarging and re- and sixty acres, in the village now narned 
modelling all the buildings. His wife, Sally Kelly's Corners, after Mr. Ketly himself. 
Borden, was the daughter of Jose])h Borden. .About twenty years later, in 1886, he built a 



214 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



fine large dwelling-house, besides new farm 
buildings, barns, and a house to let. There 
he leads at present a comparatively retired 
life. He and his wife have four children: 
Emma F. Kelly was born August 26, 1859, 
and is married to A. F. Sweet, a wagon- 
maker in the village. Edward Kelly was 
born December 13, 1855, and died, greatly 
lamented, on June 13, 1871, before he was 
sixteen years old. Clara J. Kelly was born 
December 15, 1862, and died July 21, 1S84, 
at twenty-two, the beloved wife of B. L. 
Searl, of Margarettville. W. Grant Kelly 
was born September i, 1870, and is still at 
home, helping his father. 

Mr. Kelly is a Republican. The family 
attend the New-school 13aptist church. Their 
residence is on the banks of the Delaware 
River, where in summer twenty or thirty 
boarders from the city find a most attractive 
home. In every nook of the village is felt 
the influence of Mr. Kelly, easily its first 
citizen in progress and public enterprise. 



T^HARLES GILBERT HOUCK, car- 
I St-^ penter, contractor, and builder, re- 
^^lis siding in Walton, is conducting a 

successful and well-established busi- 
ness, which occupies an important position 
among the various industries of this flourish- 
ing town. Reed's Creek, in the town of 
Hancock, was the place of his birth, which 
occurred on December 11, 1858. His father, 
Levi T. Houck, one of Walton's valued citi- 
zens, a son of the late Rufus Houck, was born 
in the town of Franklin, November 4, 1838. 
Rufus Houck, who was presumably of New 
England parentage, was born in Dutchess 
County in the year 1808, and departed this 
life in Delaware County about the year 1875. 
He was three times married. His first wife 
lived but a few months after marriage. By 
his second wife, whose maiden name was 
Rhoda Whaley, and who was a native of Mas- 
sachusetts, he had seven children, namely: 
Rufus, a farmer, residing on Beer's Brook in 
Walton; Edwin, also a farmer, a resident of 
Reed's Creek in Hancock; Cordelia, the 
widow of Jonathan Bolton, of Harvard; Levi 
T., of Walton ; Maria, who married her 



cousin, Abram Houck, residing in Mason- 
ville; Mariette, the widow of Edwin Denio, 
step-son of Rufus Houck, living in Hancock; 
and LeGrand, a resident of Walton. After 
the death of the mother of these children 
Rufus Houck married Phoebe (Lewis) Denio, 
the widow of Joseph Denio, and the daughter 
of Henry and Mercy (Holly) Lewis. She is 
now deceased, the only surviving member of 
the family of her parents being Mr. Joseph 
Lewis, an aged farmer of Shelby County, 
Iowa. Of this union one child was born, 
Zeliaette, the wife of Dwight Curtis, of Wal- 
ton, both of whom are deceased. 

Levi T. Houck was reared among the rural 
pioneer scenes of earlier years, and educated 
in the old log school-house on Reed's Brook, 
which had the customary puncheon floor and 
old-fashioned open fireplace. He remained at 
home assisting his father in clearing the farm 
until his marriage, when he began life on his 
own account. He married Jerusha Denio, the 
daughter of his step-mother and a sister of 
Edwin Denio, the husband of his sister Mari- 
ette. Besides the subject of this sketch, four 
sons and one daughter were born of their mar- 
riage, the others being as follows: Julius, a 
farmer at Carpenter's Eddy; Erkson, a real 
estate dealer in Antigo, Wis. ; Sylvester, a 
resident of Rock Rift; Hattie M., a dress- 
maker, living at home; and Abram, a farmer, 
on Baxter Brook. 

Charles G. Houck, the eldest son of Levi, 
was brought up on the home farm, and had a 
common-school education. Possessing a good 
deal of mechanical ingenuity and little taste 
for a farmer's life, he began when about eigh- 
teen to learn the carpenter's trade, which he 
has continued to follow; and as contractor and 
builder, as well as carpenter, he has met with 
excellent success. He is an energetic, active 
citizen, whose public-spiritedness is unques- 
tioned, and is a warm supporter of the princi- 
ples of the Republican party. He is warmly 
interested in the American Protective Asso- 
ciation, of which he is a member, and is also 
influential in the wigwams of the Red Men, 
having passed the chairs. 

Mr. Houck was united in wedlock Septem- 
ber 23, 1885, to Miss Jennie H. Hovvland, a 
native of Walton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



William P. Ifowiaiul, the latter of whuni died 
in 1879, loaviiii; her widowed husband and 
four children to mourn her loss. Mr. and 
.Mrs. Houck have no children of their own; 
hut they have an a(lo[5ted son, I'hilo C. 
Houck, the son of S_\lvester llouck. He is 
an active little lad, ei,i;ht years old, quick at 
his studies, and already showin^' a good deal 
of mechanical genius. The coscy and com- 
fortable home of this famil}', into which they 
nio\'cd in 1S91, is pleasantl}- located on St. 
John's -Street, and is made very attractive to 
their many friends. In religion both Mr. and 
Mrs. Houck are worthy and active members of 
the !\Icthodist i'.piscopal church. 



B 



R. IH:XRV a. gates, one of the 
leading ph\-sicians of Delhi, was 
burn in Franklin, Delaware County, 
X.V.. December 9, 1S49, and is a 
son of \\'illiam H. and Marietta (.Strong) 
Gates. William (kites, the grandfather, was 
an earl\- settler in the town of Franklin, be- 
ginning life there in a log calnn, but, as his 
means increased, built a fine frame house and 
out-buildings. He spent his life on the farm, 
which was brought liy his energy and care 
to a high state of culti\ation. He was the 
father of three children — James, Herman, 
and William. 

William H. Gates, the father of Henry A., 
was educatetl in the district schools of Frank- 
lin, and, as was the custom in those da_\'s, 
went to school in the winter and assisted his 
lather on the farm during the summer. 
Upon reaching his majorit)' he purchased a 
farm of his own, upon wliich he and his help- 
mate quietly passed their days. He married 
Miss Marietta .Strong, a daughter of William 
.Strong, of Meredith, and their union was 
blessed by the birth of four children — 
Henry A., Clifford J., Julia A. (the widow 
of .Samuel J. Donnelly), and William H. 

Dr. Henry A. Gates received his earl)- 
education at the district schools of Franklin 
and at the F'ranklin Literary Institute, where 
he remained for two years. He then began 
the study of medicine wMth Dr. Ira Wilcox, 
of F'ranklin, with w'hom lie |)repared for col- 
lege. In 1S74 he entered Bcllevue College, 



being graduated with high honors in 1.S77. 
Upon the completion of his college career, 
he commenced practice in Delhi, and has con- 
tinued here ever since. He makes a specialty 
ol diseases of the eye and ear, i)eing well 
known in this branch of the jirofession 
throughout the county. He is a prominent 
member of both the .State and county medical 
societies. 

Dr. Gates was married in i8,So to Miss 
Jeanette C. Hudson, daughter of Mrs. M. D. 
Hudson, a rejiresentative of one of the oldest 
and most prominent families in Delhi. In 
politics he is a stanch supporter of the Re- 
publican party, but has never sought any 
public office. He is a member and Trustee of 
the I'irst Presbyterian Church, in which he 
takes a deep interest, and is also a Trustee 
of the Delaware Academy. The genial man- 
ners and kindly disposition of Dr. Gates have 
made him esteemed by all classes: and, as he 
is still in the prime of vigor and manhood, he 
has the promise of many years of usefulness 
in the pursuit of liis profession, of which he 
is a distinguished member. 




I). WOOD, one of the most popu- 
lar station agents on the L'lster & 
Delaware Railroad, was born AjmII 
12, \'S()2. His grandfather, David 
Wood, was l)orn in Connecticut, and removed 
to Delaware County, where he engaged in 
farming, living to a good old age. William 
Wood, son of David and father of the subject 
of this sketch, was boi'n in Connecticut, No- 
vember 11, 1824. Fie received a good dis- 
trict-school education, and at an early age 
began to work on a farm. He had the mis- 
fortune to break his arm; and, as tliere were 
no skilled surgeons in Iiis vicinity at that 
time, it was not properly set, and troubled 
him for the remainder of his life He 
learneil the shoemaker's trade, and first 
worked at Grand Gorge. He married .Sarah 
M. F'redenburgh, who was born Mav 10, 
1830, the daughter of John and F'anny (May- 
[)ie) I'redenburgh. The latter was born in 
.Schoiiarie County, and was one of the early 
settlers of Gilboa, buying one hundred and 
fifty-si.\ acres of land at Grand Gorge, where 



2l6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



he was very prosperous as a farmer. He had 
a family of sixteen children. He was a Re- 
publican in politics, and was a member of 
the Methodist I'.piscopal church. Fanny 
Maybie was a daughter of John Maybie, a 
farmer and one of the early settlers, who 
raised si.x children. William Wood had six 
children, namely: Fanny J., who was born 
December 24, 1856, and died October 15, 
1861; Malinda A. Wood, who was born De- 
cember 16, 1859, and died October 14, 1861; 
O. D., the subject of this biography; Fanny 
E., who was born August 29, 1864, and mar- 
ried Charles G. Keator, a farmer of Grand 
Gorge, and has one child; Alfred L., who was 
born August 28, 1 870, and now lives with his 
brother, O. D. Wood; Albert, the twin 
brother of Alfred, died September 9, 1871. 

O. D. Wood lived at the home of his par- 
ents, and was educated in the district schools. 
At the age of seventeen he entered the store 
of W. P. More as clerk, and there remained 
for two years. He then learned telegraphing, 
remaining in his first position two years. 
For one season after that he took charge of 
the station at Tannersville, Greene County, on 
the Kaaterskill Railroad, going from there to 
Pine Hill, where he stayed one year. May i, 
1886, he was appointed station agent at Grand 
Gorge, and has since remained here. 

Mr. Wood married Ellen J. Bunt, daughter 
of Ann M. (Wase) and William Bunt, a 
farmer of Tannersville. Mr. and Mrs. Bunt 
have eight children — Ellen, Emma, Bertha, 
Edith, Edward, George, Lillian, and Frank. 
Mr. and Mrs. Wood have one child, Sophie 
Marguerite. 

Mr. Wood is a Republican in politics and 
an esteemed member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church. In his work as station agent he 
has come in contact with many people, all of 
whom speak of him in the highest terms. He 
is always kind and thoughtful of others, thus 
making many friends. 



r^c 



i:ORGE W. FITCH, ex-President of 
\ '*) I the Delaware County Bank, and now 

— Treasiirer of the Delaware Loan and 
Trust Company, one of the most promineiit 
merchants of Walton, N.Y., was born in this 



town on December 10, 1837. His parents 
were Nathaniel and Sally (Benedict) Fitch. 
His grandfather, Nathaniel Fitch, was born 
in New Canaan, Conn., January 8, 1770, and 
was married to Anna Smith, born May i, 
1767. About 1 8 10 the family came to Wal- 
ton and settled, the country being then a com- 
parative wilderness; and here Mr. Fitch took 
up an extensive tract of land, which was soon 
cleared and brought under cultivation. He 
and his wife were the parents of six children, 
all of whom have passed away from earthly 
scenes. The eldest, Polly, born December 
27, 1792, married Simms Hanford, died 
in Delaware County. Anna, born July 15, 
1795, married Anson White, and lived in 
North Walton. Nathaniel, born June i, 
1797, married on October 2, 1817, Sally 
Benedict. Esther, born May 23, 1799, died 
single in Walton. Eliza, born December 2, 
1809, died in 1837. Charles S., born May 
31, 1812, died May 14, 1893. 

Nathaniel, the father of the subject of this 
sketch, was a man of sterling worth and in- 
tegrity, and was highly respected for his 
many good qualities. He was engaged in 
mercantile pursuits up to the time of his 
death, which took place August 12, 1872, at 
the age of seventy-five. His widow, Mrs. 
Sally B. Fitch, died February 17, 1879. 
They were the parents of ten children : George 
N., born August 10, 1S18, died December 
30, 1837. Sarah, born June 24, 1822, is the 
wife of Dr. A. E. Sullard, a representative of 
his district in the Assembly. Maria died in 
infancy. William, born October 23, 1827, 
died May 20, 1836. Mary E. died in in- 
fancy. Julia A., born December 24, 1831, 
married the Hon. N. C. Marvin, of Walton. 
Lyman M., born March 10, 1835, married 
Elizabeth N. Green, in September, 1859. 

George W. Fitch, the eighth child of Na- 
thaniel and Sally P'itch, has been for many 
years one of the representative business men 
of Walton. He was taken into partnership 
by his father in 1859; and in 1866 his brother 
was also admitted to the firm, which was 
known as N. Fitch & Sons. The firm is now 
I'itch Brothers & Sceley. 

Mr. P'itch was marrieil May 30, 1S61, to 
Miss Harriet .Sinclair, born December 27, 




George W. Fitch. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



2 ig 



1S39, ill Stamford, in Ihc eastern i):irt of tlie 
county. By this union there were \]\c cliii- 
dren, of whom the elticst, Maria i\I., horn 
January 23, 1.S63, died June 26, 1882. lul- 
ward, born May 27, 1864, is Assistant Profes- 
sor of Greek at Hamilton College, of which 
he was a graduate in the class of 1886. He 
took a position at Park College fiu' three 
years, when he was called back to Hamilton. 
He is in Germany at the present time, ]K'r- 
fecting his studies. George S., born May 
12, 1866, has held the position of cashier of 
the Delaware County liank, and is now cashier 
of the Bank of Auburn. Roderick, born No- 
vember 3, 1S67, married Miss Adelaide Haw- 
ley, a daughter of John H. Hawle\'. Anna S., 
the only daughter now li\-ing, was born Au- 
gust 22. i86g, and resitles with her ]iarents. 

Mr. I-'itch is a member of the Reijublican 
party, but is not an ardent politician. He 
has been Town Clerk for one term, and was 
also a member of the school committee. He 
has been eminently successful as a merchant, 
possessing industr)-, integrity, and good judg- 
ment, and is one of thcjsc enterprising men 
who give life and spirit to a town, promoting 
its steady growth, and whose inHucnce is sure 
to be felt after they shall ha\-e departeti. 

The accompanying portrait of Mr. Fitch is 
doubly interesting as being a very good like- 
ness of one of the leading citizens of Walton, 
and as representing a descendant of two promi- 
nent pioneer families of Delaware County, 
who came here from Connecticut, Fitch and 
lienedict. 



J~X L'DLEY BALDWIN DICAN, one of 
=1 the leading farmers of Masonville, 
2y Delaware County, N.Y., was born 
in that town, December 13, 1828, 
his parents being Reuben Dean, who was 
born in Connecticut, June 10, 1797, and Abi- 
gail Gould Dean, born in Saratoga County, 
New York, October 30, 1804. 

Reuben Dean began life's battle for him- 
self at the early age of eleven years, hiring 
himself out to farmers b}' the month, and 
moving from one jjlace to anotiier. In 18 14 
he came to Masonville, and worked for a Mr. 
Smith, a Justice of the Peace, remaining with 



him for six years. Being diligent and saving, 
he accumulated enough money to buv a small 
farm of his own, purchasing the one now 
occupied by his son, Milton P. Dean. He 
resided on the farm until his death, which 
took ])lace when he was sixty-seven years of 
age. Mrs. Dean is living at the present day, 
having arrived at the advanced age of ninety 
years. Twelve children were born to them, 
ten of whom are still living, namely: Airs. 
Mary A. Colby, of Saratoga County; Gustavus 
Dean, of Sidney; Dudley jialdwin Dean, 
Mrs. Jane E. Smith, Milton P. Dean, Mrs. 
Julia A. Donohue, all of Masonville: Mrs. 
Adelaide Sherman, of Ballston, Saratoga 
County; Mrs. Orline Seeley, of Iowa; Reu- 
ben Dean, of Saratoga County; and Orville 
Dean, of Masonville. 

Dudley B. Dean was echicated in the dis- 
trict schofds of Masonville, living at home 
and helping on the farm until he was of age, 
when he worked out and managed to save 
money out of his wages of twelve dollars a 
month. In 1851 he bought the farm where 
he now lives, on which were then no improve- 
ments. He set to work and erected a small 
house sixteen feet by twenty, where he kept 
bachelor hall for three years. His first pur- 
chase of land comprised sixty-seven acres: but 
he has added to it from time to time, until 
he now owns four hundred and ten acres of 
the finest farming land in the county, which 
has been gained by his own hard, honest toil. 

Mr. Dean has a fine dairy, keeping forty- 
nine head of cattle, besides other stock. He 
has filled the jiosition of Poor Master for two 
years, and at the present time is p:.xcise Com- 
missioner. In i)olitics he is a Democrat, and 
both lie and his wife are member.s of the Baj)- 
tist chui-cii. 

.Mr. Dean was married, September 30, 
1854, to Matilda Clarissa Hill, a native of 
the ailjoining town of Toinjikins. By this 
union he has had seven children, all of whom 
are living, namely: Royal 1). Dean, a farmer 
of M;isoiiville; Mrs. Abigail Jackson, of 
Mason\ille; Uriah P. Dean, a farmer of 
Tomjikins: Gould Dean, a farmer in Mason- 
ville; .Mrs. Mary J. Blencoe, of Unadilla; 
Dudley B. Dean, residing at home; and iMrs. 
Clarissa M. Webb, of Unadilla. 



2 20 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Mr. Dean is known as one of the most pros- 
perous and substantial farmers of Mason vi lie. 
Both his public and private life have been 
above reproach; and, filling the important 
positions to which he has been elected with 
dignity and credit, he has always given his 
time and influence to the advancement of his 
native town. 




,LARK A. GOULD, a retired mer- 
chant of Walton, was born in this 
town on November 12, 1841, of old 
pioneer ancestry. His grandfather, 
Luther Gould, was a native of Connecticut, 
whence he removed to Delaware County, New 
York, and settled among the few inhabitants 
here at the beginning of the century. Luther 
Gould's wife was Abigail Beers; and they 
were the parents of four children, namely: 
Anna; Luther, the father of the subject of 
this sketch; John; and Harry. Grandfather 
Gould died when about fifty years of age; but 
his widow lived to reach the good old age of 
seventy-eight years, dying in 1853. They 
had been farmers from pioneer times, who by 
their earnest daily toil and strict economy 
succeeded in keeping the wolf from the door 
and living in comparative comfort. 

Much trouble was experienced in getting 
valid title to the land, as, after improvements 
had been made, new claimants would appear 
with claims originating with some old Eng- 
lish grants; and to avoid litigation, with 
possible defeat at the end, the farm would be 
rebought at the expense of every dollar which 
had been saved, and notes given for the 
amount lacking. It was only after the farm 
was allowed to be sold for taxes and redeemed 
with title from the State that these persecu- 
tions ceased. 

Young Luther was born on the old home- 
stead in 1806, and died there in 1861. On 
June 2, 1839, he was married to Miss Mary 
M. E. Alverson, who was born in Tompkins 
in 1807, and died in 1873, leaving two chil- 
dren: the subject of this sketch; and his 
sister Harriet, wife of Jared Chase, of Rock 
Rift. 

Clark A. Gould was reared in the home of 
his birth; and there he became instructed in 



primitive methods of farming, at the same 
time attending the district school, where he 
succeeded in conquering the three R"s — Read- 
ing, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic. His studies, 
however, were abruptly terminated by the ill- 
ness of his father, which made it necessary 
that young Clark leave school, and attend to 
the management of the farm. When twenty- 
one years of age, his father having died, leav- 
ing the farm encumbered with debts, he sold 
the farm, and began business as proprietor of 
the general store at Rock Rift, where he re- 
mained for twenty-five years, leaving that 
place then to take up his residence in Walton. 
He purchased his present house in 1889. 

His first wife, Mary Chase, a daughter of 
Augustus B. Chase, became the mother of one 
son, Bertis M. Gould, who received his educa- 
tion and was graduated at the high school in 
the town of Walton, and is now a salesman in 
a dry-goods store. Mrs. Gould died in 1871, 
when but twenty-seven years old. Mr. Gould 
was again married on September 3, 1873, to 
Miss Maggie Wilson, of Downsville, daugh- 
ter of Charles and Rachel (Van De Bogart) 
Wilson. Her father died November 7, 1894, 
nearly ninety-two years of age. Her mother 
is still living, aged seventy-eight. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gould have had three children, as fol- 
lows: Luther, who died when a child of nine- 
teen months; Vernon, who died at the age of 
seven months; and Clark Sumner, who was 
born May 27, 1880. 

Mr. Gould is a Royal Arch Mason, and a 
consistent Republican. He has held the 
position of Postmaster and Justice of the 
Peace many years. Mr. and Mrs. Gould at- 
tend the L'nited Presbyterian Church of Wal- 
ton, of which Mrs. Gould is a member. Mr. 
Gould is a man of genial disposition and en- 
gaging manner, an example of nobility of 
character, firmness of principle, and uncom- 
mon business capabilities, one whom his fel- 
low-citizens regard with much respect and 
deference. 




ILLIAM E. HOLMES, one of the 
most successful and best-known 
business men of Downsville, in the 
town of Colchester, was born in Hamden, 



BIOGRAl'IllCAL REVIEW 



September z"], 1836, a son oi John A. ami 
Rachel B. (^Lindsley) Holmes. He is one of 
a family of fourteen ehiklren, eleven of 
whom reached maturity — Orpah, James W., 
Ephraim L., Sarah A., Samuel O., William 
E., Mary A., Jonathan A., John N., \'iola 
A., and Ellen. 

John A. Holmes was born in 1S03, and 
grew to manhood without the usual advantages 
of education. He learned the shoemaker's 
trade; but, hu\'ing an active mind and a 
desire to improve his circumstances, he de- 
voted his evenings to stuily and reading until 
he felt qualified to enter mercantile life. He 
began in the lumber business and farming, 
and soon became one of the largest lumber 
dealers of Delaware County, Ijeing a solf-mmle 
man with a clear head, good judgment, and 
remarkable business qualifications. He ac- 
cumulated a comfortable fortune, owning at 
one time over eight hundretl acres. He pur- 
chased of Jackson Merrill the farm now 
known as the Hawley place: and here he 
li\-ed with his wife, Rachel Lindsley, a 
daughter of Nehemiah and Mary (Guilder- 
sleeve) Lindsley. Nehemiah Lindsley moved 
to Delaware County in 179", and operated a 
tannery in company with Isaac Wilson, be- 
coming the possessor of about six hundi'ed 
acres of land in Lindsley Hollow, where he 
was an industrious and successful farmer. 
Mr. and Mrs. Lindsley were the parents i>f 
ten children — David, Ira, Samuel, Ezra, 
Hannah, Agar, Rachel, Abigail, Cyrus G., 
and Sarah — all of whom have passed away. 
The father of this family died August 8, 
1835; and his wife's death occurred Decem- 
ber 30, 1850. Mr. Lindsley was a Whig, 
and both he and his wife were members of the 
Presbyterian church. The family of .i\Ir. 
Holmes lived on the farm until his death, 
January 25, 1865. He was a Republican, 
and a member of the Presbyterian church. 
William IC. Holmes grew up on his father's 
farm, and was educated at the Eranklin Lit- 
erary Institute. He adopted the vocation of 
a teacher, receiving the first term twenty-five 
dollars a month and board. The fourth year 
his salary had been increased to fifty dollars a 
month and exi^enses. At the close of that 
time he enlisted in Company K, One Hun- 



dred and l"ort\-fointh New N'ork \'idunteers, 
and was discharged in March, 1S63, re-enlist- 
ing in September, 1864, and serving until 
the close of the war. He was I'"irst Lieuten- 
ant in the Eirst New York \'ohmteers, ami 
took part in the engagements at Honey Hill 
and Hull's Bay. On returning home Mr. 
Holmes entered mercantile life in Downsville 
o])posite the present Presbyterian church. In 
1 868 he erected a store on the site now occu- 
pied by him, and started a general store, 
which he enlarged in 1S90, making it fifty by 
seventy feet, three stories high. He and his 
two sons, Augustus B. and Charles J., now 
compose the firm, which carries a large stock 
of groceries, dry goods, furnishing goods, 
and agricultural implements. The business 
of this enterprising firm is constantly increas- 
ing. The third floor of the buikling is rented 
to the Masons and other societies. 

January 9, 1866, Mr. Holmes married Miss 
Erances D. Bassett, a daughter of Philip and 
Margaret (Hitt) Bassett. Philip Bassett 
was born January 7, 1804, and died July ij, 
1866. Eebruary 25. 1835, 'i'^ married Mar- 
garet Hitt, born December 16, 1802, and 
died November 9, 1849. They were the |)ar- 
ents of two children: Erances D., born Octo- 
ber 25, 1842; and George P. After the 
death of his first wife Philip Bassett married 
Maria L. Barbour, December 24, 1851. Mr. 
and Mrs. William Holmes have had four 
children: Augustus B., born December 28, 
1868; Cliarles J., born December 9, 1870: 
William IC, born Januar)' 13, 1876, and died 
P'ebruary 16, 1879; George S., born I-'ebruarx- 
14, 1S81. Charles J. married Lina M. War- 
ren, June 20, 1894, and still resides with his 
parents. Mr. Holmes is the owner of the 
saw-mill and the adjoining land, known as 
the Downs tannery site, and, in comixuiy 
with his son George, engages extensively in 
the manufacture of shingles, laths, and other 
lumber. He also possesses five hundred acres 
of land in ditferent parts of Colchester. He 
rents his farms, and operates four dairies, 
owning one hundred cows and fifteen teams. 
Each and every part of his various enterprises 
receives his ])ersonal attention, and it is by 
this means that his success has been so re- 
markable. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



The residence of Mr. Holmes in Downsville 
is one of the finest in the town, and here his 
many friends ever receive a gracious welcome. 
He is a member of the Downsville Lodge, No. 
464, A. F. & A. M., a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge; and he 
and his wife are attendants of the IVesby- 
terian church. Mr. Holmes is an active, 
energetic business man; and he and his sons 
deserve great praise for their enterprise and 
progressive ability. 



'AMES W. KELSO, a highly respected 
and well-known farmer of the town of 
Kortright, was born in Davenport, 
Delaware County, N.Y., April 2, 
1825, and is a son of Seth and Ann (Fergu- 
son) Kelso, the former a native of Orange 
County, and the latter of Kortright. The 
grandfather, Robert Kelso, and his father, 
John, were natives of Londonderry, Ireland, 
both of whom came to America, and located 
in Orange County, New York, afterward 
coming to Kortright, settling here about 
1798. John Kelso lived to the advanced age 
of one hundred and six years, and was buried 
at Kortright Centre. Robert Kelso followed 
the occupation of a farmer, leasing the land 
which he occupied under the old lease system. 
He died at the age of sixty, leaving four sons 
and two daughters, all of whom are now de- 
ceased. 

Seth Kelso, father of the subject of this 
sketch, was brought up as a farmer, working 
hard but successfully. About 1828 he settled 
on the farm now owned by his son James, 
erected a fine frame house, and added to his 
property until at the time of his death he 
owned two hundred and fifty-seven acres. He 
was the father of two children: Elizabeth, 
the wife of Nicholas Feak, of this county; 
and James W. Mr. and Mrs. Kelso were 
both members of the Reformed Presbyterian 
church of Kortright. Mr. Kelso died at the 
age of seventy-eight, and his wife at the age 
of seventy-five. 

James W. Kelso received his education at 
the district schools. He purchased the old 
homestead, and during his entire life has de- 
voted his attention to farming. Mr. Kelso 



possesses untiring energy and perseverance, 
and has made many improvements on his 
farm, which is a model one. He can justly 
look with pride upon the fine home which he 
owns, as being the result of his unaided 
efforts. He married October 10, 1871, Eliz- 
abeth Ballantine, of Davenport, becoming his 
wife. She is a daughter of Robert and Mary 
Ballantine, both of whom are deceased. Mr. 
and Mrs. Kelso have had five children, three 
of whom are living, namely: Mary E., born 
July 24, 1874; James H., born May 29, 1878; 
and John E., December 25, 1879. Ann- 
bell, born May 19, 1876, died October 25, 
1879; Seth, born March 15, 1873, died May 

I, 1873- 

The family are members of the Reformed 
Presbyterian church at Kortright, Mr. Kelso 
being an Elder and an active worker in all 
church matters. In politics he is a Prohibi- 
tionist. 



r3RGE O. MEAD is a gentleman 
whose reputation as a man of affairs 
and business ability extends beyond 
the limits of his native State, and his name is 
known in connection with some of the most 
important transactions in his county. The 
ancestors of Mr. Mead were among the earli- 
est settlers of Greenwich, Conn., where in 
1725 was born General John Mead, son of 
John and Elizabeth Lockwood Mead. 

General John Mead was a noted character; 
and stories of him still abound in the tradi- 
tions of his native town, where his short, stout 
figure and jovial face were familiar to all. In 
the early days of the Revolution, he was 
tendered a captain's commission by King 
George HI., but declined, and joined the 
American forces, three weeks later becoming 
Colonel in the patriot army, and afterward 
General. He had been a member of the Con- 
necticut legislature before the war; and, 
when trouble began, his beautiful home and 
fine farm at Horseneck was an excellent point 
of attack and a rich field of pillage for the 
British troops. The redcoats saw every ad- 
vantage here, and made short work of ransack- 
ing his house and driving his cattle away for 
their own use. His family were in great 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



clangor for a loiii;' time, but escaped, as did 
the General himself, altiiough at one time he 
was in imminent ilanger of being discovered 
by his enemies. The wife of this famous 
soldier was Mary Brush, who was of Scotch 
descent. They had nine children, live sons 
and four daughters; and it is through their 
second son and sixth child, Allen, that 
George (3. Mead is descended. 

Allen Mead, grandfather of (ieorge (_)., was 
born October 24, 1774, and came to Walton 
from Connecticut about 1800, Walton at that 
time being scarcely large enough to be called 
a village. Here Aflen iviead settled, and built 
a tannery on Monnt Pleasant, afterward re- 
moving it to East Brook. In 1800 he mar- 
ried Mary Smith, who was born in New 
Canaan, Conn., in 1781; and to tliem were 
born nine children, all but two of whom mar- 
ried. Tlu'y were as follows: Abigail, the 
wife of Phitt Townsend, who died at Dixon, 
111., at an atlvanced age, was the mother of 
three daughters; John Mead married Sophia 
Griswold, of Delhi, and hail two chiklren — 
Henry, of Atlanta, Ga., and Charlotte, who 
was the wife of George Colton, of Walton, 
and died leaving four children (John Mead's 
second wife was Matilda North); Mary Ann, 
the wife of Sylvester ]?risack, died March 5, 
1886, when seventy-nine years of age, leaving 
three daughters; Gabriel IMead, the father 
of George O. ; Elizabeth, the wife of Dr. 
James Mcl.aury, who died at Yonkers, N.V., 
leaving two sons and three daughters; An- 
drew J. is unmarried, and living in New 
York, a well-to-do and remarkablv bright and 
intellectual man; Adeline, unmarried, died 
in Binghamton, June 21, 1892, when seventv- 
four years of age; Edward B. Mead died in 
]?rooklyn in 1889 — his wife was Charlotte 
Wood, of Goshen; Frances, the wife of G. -S. 
North, of l^inghamton. Gabriel Mead mar- 
ried ICliza Ann Ogdcn, of Walton, daughter 
of Daniel and Phebe (Lindsley) Ogden. Ik- 
was an important man in tlie town for many 
years, and at one time was Sheriff of the 
county. 

George O. Mead was born in Walton in 
1842, and was an only child. He .received 
his education at the Walton Academy, and 
then for five vears served as clerk in several 



stores of the town. In 1 862 he went to 
Delhi, being in the employ of Robert Doug- 
lass for one year, when he returned to Wal- 
ton, and engaged in lousiness with Nortli & 
I'A-lls. In 1864 Mr. Mead enlisted, and was 
assigned to Company G of the One Hundred 
and i'orty-fourth New Yuvk Volunteers, in 
W+ritiUhc served until the close of the war. 
In 1 869i-ie started in business for himself in 
his native town, taking as a partner William 
Telford, and locating on the corner where he 
has since remained. In 1874 Mr. Telfortl re- 
tired from the firm, and Mr. Eel Is became a 
[xirtner; but about three years ago Mr. Mead 
became sole proprietor of the business. He 
carries a large line of boots and shoes, crock- 
ery, dry goods, and groceries, a specialty being 
made of the last named, and a most excellent 
line of goods always kept on hand. The busi- 
ness has so increased of late that ii now occu- 
pies two floors of the large corner store. 

Mr. Mead has held several jniblic offices, 
having f(n- thirteen years, 1877-90, been Su- 
])ervisor. In 18S9 he was a member of the 
Assembly, and served on the Committee on 
Banks, Canals, and (leueral Eaws ; also on 
the committee to arrange a memorial t(; Gen- 
eral Sheridan; he has also been a delegate to 
several political conventions. As chairman 
III the Hoard of Sujiervisors he was able bv 
his ability to see and act upon the financial 
ailvantages of the occasion, and thus saved the 
count}- between six and seven thousand dol- 
lars. .Since the organization of the Walton 
Water Company, Mr. Mead has been its Treas- 
urer, at the present time being also President. 
I'"or many years he has been .School Trustee. 
His busirjess integrity has led to his selec- 
tion as executor of many estates, not only in 
this county, hut in other places, one which 
came under his authority in Chicago involving 
some two hundred thousand dollars. In Au- 
gust, 1890, he was sent as delegate to the Na- 
tional ICncampment of the Grand Army of the 
Republic at Boston. In 1S67 and 1868 he 
ser\ed as Brigade Inspector of the old State 
militia. I'or many yeai's Mr. Mead has been 
a ])rominent man in politics. 

But the capacity in which Mr. Mead is per- 
ha]xs best known is as President of the First 
National Bank of Walton. From his j'outh 



224 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



he developed great ability in financial affairs, 
and in 1874 became interested in the State 
bank at Walton, known as the Delaware 
County Bank, being elected its Vice-Presi- 
dent. On the 14th of January, 1891, the 
First National Bank of Walton was organ- 
ized; and he became its President, Samuel H. 
Fancher being Vice-President, and John Olm- 
stead Cashier. This bank has a capital of 
fifty thousand dollars, with an ample surplus. 
The vault is constructed of brick ; and in it is 
one of Herring's best safes, with a triple time 
lock and all the latest improvements for the 
safety of deposits. Everything in connection 
with the bank is done in the best way and 
according to the most approved methods; and 
the institution is constantly gaining in public 
favor, in the few years that it has been in 
operation having done an immense amount of 
business. 

Mr. Mead was married to Frances Pattin- 
gill. daughter of the Rev. J. S. Pattingill, 
of Walton, Delaware County, N.Y. Of this 
union there were two daughters, one of whom, 
Florence Ogden, died July 9, 1884, at the 
age of fourteen years. Lillian is the wife 
of Professor F. A. Porter, of the New Eng- 
land Conservatory of Music in Boston. While 
studying at that institution she was a pupil 
of Professor Porter, and later became his 
wife. They are now in Leipsic, Germany, 
continuing their study of that most de- 
lightful art, which they have chosen as a 
profession. 

In 1890 the house of Allen Mead, on North 
Street, came into possession of Mr. Mead; 
and he has had it thoroughly renovated and 
remodelled, so that it is now one of the larg- 
est and most beautiful residences in the 
town, presenting to the beholder the effect of 
the stability and dignity of the old manor 
house united with the beauty and delicacy of 
modern decoration. Mr. Mead has always 
been deeply interested in religious matters, 
and for twenty years has been connected wih 
Sunday-school work, having had a class for 
that length of time. He is a man of spotless 
integrity — one who has shown himself honest 
to the letter, and just to his fellow-men. In 
all his transactions he has shown an astuteness 
which few possess, combined with disinter- 



estedness and unselfishness of purpose, which 
are fully appreciated by his fellow-townsmen 
and the many friends who have reaped the 
benefit of his noble qualities and abilities. 



FAMES R. FRAZIER, pastor of the 
United Presbyterian church at Daven- 



554, in 

being 

family 

grand- 



port, was born August 27, il 
West Virginia, his parents 
James and Mary (Orr) Frazier. The 
originally came from Scotland, the 
father, Samuel Frazier, emigrating to Ohio 
County, West Virginia, where he purchased a 
farm. He reared the following children: 
Samuel, William, Andrew, James, Robert, 
Robinson, Hamilton, Rosanna, Betsy, and 

Peggy. , . , 

James Frazier, Sr., was educated in the 
district schools, and brought up to agricult- 
ural pursuits. In 1855 he went to Ohio, 
where he purchased a farm, residing there, 
with the exception of two years, until his 
death, in 1889, at the age of eighty years. 
He was twice married, his second wife being 
Miss Mary Orr, daughter of Hugh Orr, a na- 
tive of Ohio. Mrs. Frazier reared seven chil- 
dren; namely, James R., Mary, Rosanna, 
Hamilton, William, Emma, and Callie. 
Mrs. Frazier is still living, at the advanced 
age of seventy-eight, and makes her home in 
Ohio. 

James R. I'razier resided in Ohio until his 
twenty-fifth year. He was educated in the 
district schools, the graded school at St. 
Clairsville, and later attended Franklin Col- 
lege, Ohio, and the Theological College at 
Allegheny, Pa. After graduation he accepted 
his present charge at Davenport, and has re- 
sided here since 1879. 

Mr. Frazier was married October 7, 1886, 
to Miss Ella Adee, a daughter of Augustus 
W. Adee, of Bovina; and their union has 
been blessed with four children — James S., 
Mary D., Earle J., and Harold S. In poli- 
tics Mr. Frazier joins issue with the Republi- 
can party. During his residence in Davenport 
he has made many friends. He is a gifted 
and talented preacher, a man of generous im- 
pulses, and thoroughly earnest and painstak- 
ing in his work ; and under his pastorate the 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



22S 



mcmbcishi]) of his church lias steadily in- 
creased. 



[OHN H. iMAIJLE, of Plamden, pre- 
sents a type of upright, conscientious 
manhood, unobtrusive in iirosperit)', 
cheerful and resigneil in adversity, 
universall}- respected and beloved by his 
to\vns])eople and friends. His great-grand- 
father, Robert Rlable, was a shepherd in the 
highlands of bonnie Scotland, living that 
jjoetic life extolled in verse and song, where 
one holds close communion with the wonders 
and glories of nature, a rugged life, too, of 
stern and uncomfortable realities. The wife 
of this sturdy shepherd was Janette Bell, and 
together they reared five children. 

One of these, named John, who was born 
in 1762, and brought up to follow his father's 
occupation, married Agnes .Stevenson; and in 
1820, accompanied by his wife and five chil- 
dren, he left the old home in Scotland, and 
sailed for America. Here the family became 
scattered, the eldest son, Robert, who was 
born in 1803, married and settled in Georgia 
about 1 83 1. His plantation was thirteen 
miles from Atlanta; and here he accumulated 
great wealth, having slaves, who had become 
his property on his marriage, being part of 
his wife's dowry. Si.xteen of these slaves 
were freed by the war; and it is a curious fact 
that at the expiration of eight months one- 
half of them had died. Mr. Mable was not 
favorably disposed toward the war; but three 
of his sons were obliged to serve in the rebel 
army, although they withstood the demand as 
long as possible. However, all three sur- 
vived the terrible struggle, aiul are now resi- 
dents of Georgia or Alabama. Mr. Mable's 
home was in the path of General .Sherman in 
his famous march to the sea; and, conse- 
quently, at the close of the war little re- 
mained of the beautiful place but devastation 
and ruin. The house had been used as a field 
hospital, and great was the destruction made 
of it by shot and shell. The fences were en- 
tirely ilemolished, and for many years bullets 
were frequently found on and about the 
grounds. Although he had sustained a tre- 
mendous loss bv the war, Robert Mable went 



to work with a will, and before iiis death in 
1888 had managed in a great nieasme to re- 
establish his fallen fortunes. 

Mary Mable, a sister of the younger Rob- 
ert, became the wife of James N. .Scott, a 
farmer and speculator of Andes, N.Y., in 
which town she died, in July, 1 S69, tlie 
mother of five children. Another sister, Ja- 
nette, married James Oliver, and passed awav 
in 1874, leaving three children. The fifth 
child was James Mable, now living in Delhi, 
old in years, but with a heart yet young and 
fresh. .Alexander, the fourth child of Mr. 
and Mrs. John Mable, was born in Roxburgh, 
Scotland, in 1810. In 1840 he married 
Rachel Brown, of Bovina, daughter of James 
and Isabella (Forsyth) Brown. One son, 
whose life is narrated in this sketch, was the 
result of their union, Mrs. Mable dying at the 
age of twenty-seven, soon after his birth. 
The second wife of Alexander Mable was 
Elizabeth Middleniast, who died in 1890, the 
mother of three sons and three daughters. 
He died March 9, 1893, after an eventful, 
upright life, having held several offices, 
among which were those of .Suj^ervisor and 
Assessor. He was a stanch Republican, and 
an active member of the .Scotch I'resb_\'terian 
church. 

John B. Mable was bcirn in the town of 
Delhi in 1841, and was brought up to farm 
life in his father's home. He attended the 
district school, and later the Delhi Academy. 
At twenty-one years of age he first engaged in 
teaching school, and taught for eleven terms 
in this county and in Long Island, Michigan, 
and Iowa. On January 5, 1870, he was mar- 
ried to Mary A. Davidson, of Delhi, daughter 
of George and Margaret (Dunn) Davidson. 

Mrs. Mable's father died in .September, 
1887, in his eighty-fourth year, leaving a 
widow and nine children. Two of his sons 
were volunteers in the Civil War, John David- 
son having enlisted in the Eighty-ninth New- 
York Infantry, where he served for three 
years, and was shot in a skirmish near Nor- 
folk. He died eleven months later; and his 
brotiier 'i'homas, who had enlisted when but 
eighteen years of age in the One Hundred 
and I'orty-fourth Regiment, was killed in the 
battle of Honey Hill. Mrs. Davidson was 



226 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



born in 1807, in Rochester, Northumberland 
County, in the north of England, a daughter 
of John and Margaret Uunn, and came to this 
country in 1831 with her husband, George 
Davidson, and her two children, being on the 
ocean for seven weeks in the good ship 
"Delta," Captain James Wood. Mr. David- 
son was a native of the same county as his 
wife, and was born in 1803. The family set- 
tled in West Delhi in a small clearing in the 
midst of the forest, where they built a rough 
frame house. After the death of Mr. David- 
son the family removed to Hamden, and took 
up their residence with the youngest daugh- 
ter. Mr. and Mr. Davidson were the parents 
of fourteen children, six sons and five daugh- 
ters growing to maturity and marrying. Four 
sons and four daughters are still living, all in 
this county with the exception of Allan, who 
is a farmer in California. Although Mrs. 
Davidson has been confined to her bed for two 
years, she still retains her mental faculties, 
and is able to read and write without glasses. 
She has a wonderfully strong constitution, 
and has passed through many hardships which 
she has met with patience and fortitude. 
Though receiving only a limited education in 
her childhood, she has done much toward self- 
improvement, and is now a most interesting 
and well-informed woman. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mable have been called upon 
to part with both their beloved children, 
whose death made a sad break in the happy 
household. Their son, George D. Mable, 
died at nine years of age, March i, 1881, of 
scarlet fever, after a short illness of twenty- 
eight hours. Their daughter, M. Ray, a 
beautiful young girl, was taken away at the 
age of eighteen, in July, 1891. In their 
double sorrow the bereaved parents have had 
the heartfelt sympathy of a host of friends. 
Soon after their marriage in 1870, Mr. and 
Mrs. Mable removed to Charles City, Iowa, 
but returned to this State in 1876, and in 
1886 occupied their present place, where they 
have a pleasant cottage and a small farm of 
forty-four acres. Here they keep a horse and 
twenty head of cattle, grade Jerseys, and fur- 
nish dairy products for the New York market. 
In July, 1893, three of these choice cows, 
including one whose yield was about four 



hundred pounds of butter yearly, were killed 
by lightning. 

Mr. Mable is a representative Republican, 
is Overseer of the Poor, and has been Secre- 
tary of the Hamden Insurance Company for 
several years. Both he and his wife are de- 
voted and deeply respected members of the 
Presbyterian church at DeLancey. 



/§> 



EORGE BIEHLER, a respected citi- 
\ '•) I zen of Arkville, is a wagon-maker, 
and carries on a thriving business 
near the railway station. He is the son of 
Christjahn and Mary (Cunnerlin) Biehler, and 
was born in Germany, October 30, 1S24. 
His mother, Mary (Cunnerlin) Biehler, was 
the daughter of Michael Cunnerlin, a farmer 
in Germany. His father, Christjahn Biehler, 
was also a farmer in Germany. Both parents 
died at the age of sixty-eight. 

George Biehler, the subject of this sketch, 
received his education in Germany; and at 
the age of fifteen he began to learn the trade 
of wagon-making. When quite a young man, 
he went to Switzerland, where he remained 
two years, coming from there to America in 
1848. After a long and stormy passage of 
fourteen weeks, he landed in New York City 
on New Year's Day, and, coming to Dela- 
ware County, tarried first in Roxbury, and 
from there went to Andes, where he lived 
three years. He then went to Margarettville, 
and started in the wagon-making business. 
During the first year of his residence here he 
married Rebecca Warden, daughter of Ira 
Warden, a well-known farmer of Andes. Mr. 
Biehler remained in business at Margarettville 
for sixteen years, after which he sold out and 
bought a farm, on which he lived for fifteen 
years. Selling the farm, he next moved to 
Arkville, where he worked at farming five 
years, and then bought the house in which he 
lives at the present time, having in the lot 
adjoining the house a shop, in which, al- 
though quite an old man, he still does a good 
business. 

Mr. Biehler has eight children: Edward 
R., a furniture dealer in New York, married 
Ella Chapman, and has two children. Mar- 
ion O., married, is a railroad conductor in 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



227 



Idaho. Willard W., a brakeman, lives at 
Union llill, N.V.: lie marricil Sadie I'eets, 
and has one child. Myra C. married William 
Steinhauf, of Vermilion, Kan. Chancy H. 
lives at home, lunma married J. Van Hcn- 
scotten, of New Kingston. Cora, wife of 
H. M. Todd, has two children. ICffie A. lives 
at home. His eldest son, Ira G. 15iehler, was 
for twenty years engaged in the service of the 
Ulster & Delaware Railroad Coni]iany, work- 
ing his way iij) by his indefatigable energy 
and push to tlie position of agent of one of 
the most imijortant stations on the road. He 
was industrious and i)ainstaking; and, no 
matter how great the rusli of i)usiness, he had 
always a pleasant word for every one. His 
strict attention to business and his courteous 
demeanor won him a host of frientls. He had 
scarcely reacheti middle life when lie was 
stricken down with an inflammator)- tlisease 
which ballled tiie skill of the best medical atl- 
visers in this part of the countr\'. He died 
at his home in Arkville, on August 25, 1888, 
aged thirty-seven years. Being a Mason, and 
at the time of his deatli Master of the Mar- 
garettville Loilge, No. 389, he was buried 
with Masonic rites, the funeral being one of 
the largest ever held here. His brothers are 
members of the same lodge. 

A few years ago Marion O. Biehler, who is 
now in the Far West, went to South America. 
The following extract from a letter written by 
him to his father and mother shows the jour- 
ney to have been one of hardship and ])eril 
rather than of pleasure. It was dated Ouibdo, 
Colombia, November 26, 1886, two months 
and four days after he left New York City. 
The writer then felt that, if he had known 
beforehand the dangers and hairbreadth es- 
capes he was to meet with, not all the gold in 
South .America would have teni]'te(l him to 
leave Arkville. He says: "We arrived at 
As[)inwall, October i, were detained there 
four days, transferring our provisions, arms, 
and baggage, and trving to get papers from 
the authorities to insure safe ])assage along 
the coast. They would not grant them; but 
. by good luck we got along just as well with- 
out them. The first day after leaving .Aspin- 
wall our vessel was nearly swamjied several 
times. But we had no desire to become food 



for fishes; and we worked heroicall)' tiirough 
the day, and at night landed at I'orto ]5elIo. 
The third ilay we succeeded in ])rocuring a 
pilot who was perfectly acquainted with every 
mile of the coast, l-'irst day from there had 
good wintis, tiien it turned dead against us; 
have pulled four hours at a time, and not 
gained more than one mile. On the 19th we 
came to the mouth of the .Vtrato. This river 
rises and falls with fearful rapidity. Have 
known it, farther up stream, to fall fifteen 
feet in one day. also to rise ten feet in one 
day. . . . 

"We crossed the (iulf of Uarien to get men 
to pole us up the river. It would iiave taken 
eight men to pull against the current, but two 
natives can pole it. They have j)oles ten 
feet long, stand on forward end- of boat, place 
the pole against a tree on the bank, walk the 
length of the boat, ])ushing the boat forward. 
It was necessary to keej) close to the hank, 
and pass under large bushes that hang over 
the water. We would hear from a native, 
"Coolavery, coolaveryl" anil, looking up, 
would behold a monstrous snake directly over 
our heatls. They are hideous-looking mon- 
sters, and very deadly. We shot fifteen, antl 
some of them were over ten feet in length. 
We were over a month in making the river, 
surrounded by dangers on every hand, and did 
not meet with a person who could understand 
a word of English. But I found some breth- 
ren of our noble fiaternity at one town where 
we were oliliged to anchor — two Master 
Masons; anrl, although neither of us could 
interpret a word the other said, 1 was as 
warmly welcomed as I could have been in my 
native .State. They insisted that my friend, 
J. D. Vermilya, and I should accompany them 
to one of their homes to dinner. At Ouibdo 
we were kindly received by Mr. I'rindle's 
brt;ther, who was watching for our arrival. 
. . . We still have one week's journey before 
us, to reach the gold regions."' 

In politics Mr. Biehler is a stanch Demo- 
crat, and always takes an active interest in 
local affairs. He is an honored member of 
the Lutheran clnirch, and has ever exemplified 
in his life what a true Christian should be. 
Upright in his dealings, he enjoys the respect 
of all who know him. 



228 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 




ILLIAM A. HULL is a native resi- 
dent of Andes, Delaware County, 
N.Y., who has been closely identi- 
fied with the local affairs of the town since 
his early manhood. His parents, Ira and 
Elizabeth Hull, dwelt on the old homestead 
which he now occupies. Ira's father was 
Ebenezer Hull, and his mother's maiden name 
was Summers. They came from Connecticut, 
and settled first on Hubble Hill, and afterward 
on Trempers Kill. Having lived to a very ad- 
vanced age, they died at the home of their son 
Ira. Their family consisted of two sons and 
three daughters — Eri, Ira, Rebecca, Phebe, 
and Arluna — all of whom are deceased. 

Ira Hull was born on Hubble Hill, April 
5, 1798, and received a common-school educa- 
tion near his home. He married Elizabeth, 
daughter of William Ackerley, who resided 
on the Slade farm. Mr. Ackerley had the 
following family: William, Jonathan, Nich- 
olas, Elizabeth, Laura, Polly, Susan, not any 
of whom are now living. The father was an 
industrious farmer of high repute and a leader 
among the Baptist brethren of this vicinity, 
holding the meetings at his own house before 
the church was built. Ira, after living en his 
father's farm, bought the one now occupied 
by the family, consisting of three hundred 
acres of land and fine buildings. He was 
industrious and prosperous, and was father of 
five children, as follows: Alanson, who mar- 
ried Ann Felton, of Andes, and is a farmer; 
Henrietta, widow of Frank C. Reside, who 
lives at Union Grove; William A.; Stephen, 
deceased; Calvin, who married Josephine 
Bussy, and is a lawyer. In politics Mr. Ira 
Hull was a Democrat. Mrs. Elizabeth Hull 
was a Baptist in her religious iaith. She 
lived to be nearly eighty years of age. 

William A. Hull was born on the farm 
where he now resides, and received his educa- 
tion from the district school. In 1865 he 
married Fannie D. Hitt, daughter of John 
Hitt, a farmer of Downsville, who died at the 
age of forty-four years, leaving his widow the 
care and responsibility of bringing up their 
family alone. The children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Hitt were: William, living in Downsville; 
Charles, a resident of Colchester; Fannie, 
wife of Mr. Hull; Maggie, widow of 



George Warren. Mrs. Hitt was a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Hitt 
erected a hotel in Downsville, but at its com- 
pletion sold it and engaged in carpentering. 

William Hull first started a farm, bought 
of D. Palmateer and of his brother, one hun- 
dred and sixty acres all together. This farm 
includes part of the picturesque sheet of water 
called Perch Lake; and here he has laid out 
delightful picnic grounds furnished with a 
cottage, tables, boats, and other conveniences 
that minister to the comfort and gratification 
of his guests. This is considered one of the 
finest places for fishing in Delaware County, 
and here Mr. Hull accommodates large num- 
bers of lovers of sport during the season. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hull have reared two chil- 
dren: Sarah, who is the wife of Lee J. Fris- 
bee, and has two children — Willard and a 
daughter not yet named; Lillie, who is still 
at home. This farm is one of the best in the 
section, having upon it a comfortable house, 
built in 1871, and commodious barns, new in 
1874. Mr. Hull keeps twenty-five Alderney 
cows of the finest stock, and yielding yearly 
a handsome profit. In politics Mr. Hull is a 
Democrat, and has been Excise Commissioner 
for many years. His wife is a member of the 
Presbyterian church. Mr. Hull is much re- 
spected for his strict integrity, his high moral 
character, and his business ability. 




HARLES KNIGHT, a highly intelli- 
I gent and influential citizen of Han- 

is , cock, Delaware County, was born 
April 8, 1826. His father, John 
Knight, was born in 1780, in Philadelphia; 
and his grandfather, who was also John 
Knight, was born in the same city in 1750. 
The Knight family are of English descent, 
having probably come to this country with 
William Penn, and have long been promi- 
nently identified with the affairs of the 
Quaker city. The records of the family may 
be found on the books of Christ's (Episcopal) 
Church, on Second Street. Henry Knight, 
great-grandfather of Charles, was born on 
June 10, 1726. He married Elizabeth Har- 
din, who was also of Philadelphia; and they 
raised a large family. Their son John was a 



IfH'.R AIMIICAI, 



■AMKW 



:;0 



si)ldier in the Revolutioiiar\- War, and was at 
the battle of Aronnioutli, alter which he lay on 
the field all night, contracting a disease from 
which he ne\er reco\-ered. lie died in 17X6, 
when but thirty-six years old. His wife w,is 
Mary Coran, a native of the (Juakcr city: and 
they had three children, two of whom, Will- 
iam and John, Jr., grew to manhood. 

William Knight was a sailing-master in 
the United States na\-y. His commission is 
now in the possession of his nephew Charles, 
who is justly proud of such an uncle. It 
reads as follows: — 

"'rhomas Jefferson. President of the L'nited 
States, to all who shall see these presents, 
greeting: Know ye that, reposing si:)ecial 
trust and confifk'nce in tln' valor, fidelity, and 
abilities of William Knight. I do appoint him 
.Sailing Master in the Na\y of the L'nited 
.States. He is therefore carefully and dili- 
gentl}- to discharge the duty of a .Sailing 
Master by doing and performing all manner 
of things thereunto belonging. .And I do 
strictly charge and require all officers, sea- 
men, and others under his command to be 
obedient to his orders as a Sailing Master 
and he is to oljserve and follow such orders 
and directions from time to time as he shall 
receive from me or the future President of the 
l'nited .States of America, or the superior 
officer set over him according to the rules 
and discijiline of the Navv. This warrant to 
continue in force during the pleasure of the 
President of the United States for the time 
being. To t:ike rank from the .Secontl of 
October, 1/99- Given under mv hand at the 
city of Washington, the twenty-seventh day of 
December, 1S02, and the twenty-seventh year 
of the independence of the L'nited .States. 

■■(.Signed) TiiM\iA> Ji.ii-eksox. 

'■By command of the President of the 

Unitetl States, . t-, .- 

R. Smith. 

"Registered in the Navy Office, 

"'.S.\Mri;i. T. .AxDKKSoN." 

The following is an extract from an in- 
teresting letter written by William Knight 
to his mother while he was on board the 
l'nited .States steamship "Macedonian'" at 



New London, Conn., then blockaded by the 
British, and is dated .August r, 1S14, tiiat 
being the anniversary of his birth: - 

■'On Montlay last we fitted out an expedi- 
tion, consisting of four whale boats, eight 
officers, and twenty men. We lost one boat, 
and captureil three ofliccrs and five men, no 
lives being lost on either side. The boats 
returned on I'riday, the one that was lost 
being from this ship. On Tuesday, early in 
J the morning, it being very foggy weather, 
our boat lost sight of the other three; and the 
officer in charge ordered our men to pull in 
for the westward. In so doing they came in 
sight of a seventy-four, and they immediately 
pulled the other way; and, seeing a light- 
house, they used every exertion to get be- 
tween the ships and the shore. They pro- 
ceeded (jii for some time; but the men 
became weary, having [julled all night, and 
the officer thought it jM-udent to pull to the 
shore and haul the boat ujx which they did. 
At daybreak they found themselves within 
gunshot of several ships of war, and, aban- 
doning the boat, took to the woods. Soon 
after -they saw a boat pull off from one of the 
ships and land three officers, who went to the 
house of Mr. Gartlner, to whom the island 
belongs. Our officer, seeing this, immediately 
made for the boat, where he captured five 
men, and then went to the house, where he 
look Lieutenants Dance and Hoi)e and one 
midshi])nian. We had tw^o midshipmen and 
six men. After taking the eight l-'nglish 
men, our officer found himself in a dis- 
agreeable position, without a boat and on an 
island. The l:^nglishmen were ignorant of 
this, .md our officer ordered them to sign 
their parole cjr go with him to Long Island. 
They hesitated some time, for to be taken 
prisoners by equal numbers would not do; 
but after serious consultation, and rather 
than go to Long Island, they signed their 
jKirole. The next business for our men was 
to look out for a boat. The ship saw their 
boat was taken, and manned five boats, which 
they sent toward the shore. H\- Mr. Gard- 
ner's house we found a boat hauled on the 
land, which we quickly launched, and made 
our escape to .S.ag Harbor, being joined bv 
the three American boats, w'ho also arrived 



230 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



at the harbor. The commancling officer then 
was a lieutenant, who brought another whale 
boat for our use, and hauled the boats across 
a neck of land about six miles westward of 
the English ships, and on Friday arrived here 
all right." 

William Knight was aboard the United 
States frigate "Philadelphia" when she ran 
aground and was lost in the Bay of Tripoli. 
There were three hundred and eleven souls on 
board the frigate^ and they were taken on 
shore, and put in a building formerly occu- 
pied by a United States consul. They were 
kept as slaves for two years by the bashaw 
of Tripoli, and then redeemed for sixty thou- 
sand dollars by the United States government. 
A part of the ransom was paid in pine timber 
cut on the Preston property at Stockport, run 
to Philadelphia, and shipped to Tripoli. 
After a long, useful, and eventful sea life, 
Mr. Knight was transferred to the navy yard 
in Philadelphia, where he died in 1834, aged 
fifty-nine. 

John Knight, Jr., the father of Charles, 
was about eleven years of age when he came 
to Delaware County from Philadelphia, and 
settled on the farm of Judge Preston. He 
could remember the surrender of Cornwallis, 
and had seen Washington. He was one of 
the first settlers of the Delaware Valley, and 
always followed the river as a lumberman, 
being also a farmer. His first wife was Re- 
becca Jenkins, a sister of Judge Preston's 
wife; and by her he had two children — W^ill- 
iam and Daniel. She died in 1804; and in 
1806 he married Esther G. Sands, daughter 
of Benjamin and Hannah Sands. They were 
the parents of ten children, seven of whom 
grew to maturity, namely: John; Richard; 
Edward, who was lost in the woods at the age 
of four years, his remains not being discov- 
ered until the next summer; Mary; Hannah; 
George; Henry; Rebecca; Elizabeth; and 
Charles. Mary died at the age of fourteen, 
and three others died within a few days of one 
another, of a prevalent disease. John Knight, 
Jr., was the first Supervisor of Hancock, and 
held the respect of his townsmen throughout 
his life. He was a Whig, and both he and 
his wife were members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. He died of a fever, April 9, 



1843, at the age of si.\ty-two; and his wife 
survived him nineteen years, dying November 
7, 1862. 

Charles Knight was born on the farm he 
now occupies, and where he has spent the 
greater part of his life. At the time of his 
birth the family occupied the log cabin 
erected by his father when he came on the 
land in 18 10. He was educated in the dis- 
trict school in the town of Hancock, and when 
but seventeen years old was left fatherless, 
since which time he has depended on his own 
exertions. December 3, 1856, Mr. Knight 
married Rachel C. Calder, daughter of Alex- 
ander and Affa (Waldron) Calder, of Greene 
County, New York. They have six children, 
namely: W. De Milt, a resident of Pueblo, 
Col., who has two children; Efifie M., wife of 
L. B. Dole, of Hancock, who has five chil- 
dren; Cora A., who was the wife of the Rev. 
Francis M. Turrentine, and died in May, 
1889, leaving one child; Alma E., living at 
home with her father; Charles C, a resident 
of Pueblo, Col.; and Ida M., wife of Julian 
W. Gould, of Hancock. Charles C. is a sur- 
veyor and civil engineer. He was on the 
Denver & Rio Grande and Mexican Southern 
Railways, and was highly recommended by 
the division engineer for roads of difficult 
construction. Mrs. Knight died December 
8, 1887, having been throughout her life a 
faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

Mr. Knight has been School Trustee for 
thirty consecutive years, and was Road Com- 
missioner for a long while. He is a member 
of the Good Templars Lodge, and a man of 
high standing in the esteem of his fellow- 
townsmen, being upright in all his dealings. 




ILLIAM B. MORROW, M.D., one 
of the most talented physicians and 
surgeons of Walton, Delaware 
County, N.Y., was born at Knoxboro, Oneida 
County, January 17, 1858, and is the son of 
James E. and Lura A. (Beach) Morrow. On 
the paternal side he is of Scotch-Irish de- 
scent. His grandfather came to this country 
from the north of Ireland, and, settling in 
Georgetown, N.Y., married a Miss Butler, by 




William B, Morrow. 



BIOGRAl'inCyVL REVIEW 



\^3 



\vh(ini he had c\'j,h\. chihhx'n, of whom tlic tol- 
h)\ving is a brief mention: Mli/nheth manieci 
Wiley Hamilton, and settled in Ca/.eno\ia, 
N.\'., where they holh died. William died 
in early manhood. i'"rank married a I\Ir. 
Sturdevant, antl settled in Oneida Countv. 
John H. also settled in Oneitla ("oimty. 
Mary, widow of Mr. Hall, resides in (ieori^e- 
town, Oneida County. Antoinette married 
John I'isk, of Lebanon. Jane married No\-es 
Hosworth. The other son, James J']., the 
father of Dr. Morrow, was born in (ienr_i;e- 
town, (.)neida C'ounty. about 1833. He re- 
ceived a liberal education, and, as he grew to 
manhood, engaged in farming. He married 
Lura A. Beach, a daughter of Jacob and I.ura 
A. (Doolittle) Beach, who was born in 
Greene County, New York, in iiS32. Mr. 
anil Mrs. Morrow settled at Knoxboro, where 
by dint of economy and industry they ac- 
cumulated a competenc}'. Two of their four 
children are now- living;, namel\': Cora A., 
wife of John Hepwell, a prominent farmer of 
Oneida County: and Dr. Morrow, the subject 
of this sketch. 

William 1^. Morrow w^as brought up u])on 
his father's farm, receiving his early educa- 
tion at the district schools. He afterward 
attended the Whitestown Seminary for two 
vears, and then entered Hamilton College at 
Clinton, where he passed his Sophomore 
years. He studied medicine for one year in 
the office of Dr. Charles Munger, of Knox- 
boro, and thence went to Bcllevue IMedical 
College, where he was graduated March 10. 
1 88 1. Soon after his graduation he settleil 
in Walton, w'here he has since followed his 
profession, and has built up a practice second 
to none in the town. 

Dr. Morrow was united in marriage, Octo- 
ber 12, 1 88 1, to Miss Ida M. Strong, a daugh- 
ter of Warren G. and I'"annie (Smith) .Strong, 
of Knoxboro. Mr. .Strong is I'resident of the 
First National Hank of X'ernon, N.Y.. and is 
a prominent business man of his county. Dr. 
and Mrs. Morrow have had two children, onlv 
one of whf)m is now living. The ehlest, Her- 
bert S., born July 26. 1882, w\as drowned on 
April 13, 1893. ]\ay W. Morrow was born 
February 6, 1889. 

Dr. Morrf)w is a member of several promi- 



nent medical scjcieties, including the New 
York .State Medical Association, the Dela- 
ware County Meilical Societ)-, the Natif)nal 
.Association u[ Railway .Surge(jns, the .New 
\'ork Slate Association of Railroad .Surgeons, 
also the Medico-legal .Society. He is surgeon 
to the O. & W. and Delhi Branch Railroads, 
and is also a member of the Board of Pension 
Fxaminers. He takes an active interest in 
educational matters of the town, and is one of 
the schoid trustees. The genial Doctor is 
likewise a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
belonging to Walton Lodge, .\o. 559. and to 
Walton Chapter. 

The town of Walton has had many physi- 
cians of learning and skill domiciled within 
her borders; but none of them have exceeded 
in promise the subject of this sketch, who has 
gaineil for himself in the few years he has 
been a resident a name to be proud of. While 
he is a close student and devoted to the ])ursuit 
of ills profession, he yet finds time to further 
the best interests of the town both by w^ord 
and deed, the steady light of his broad phi- 
lanthrojiy shining in no dim, uncertain way. 

A welcome accompaniment to this brief 
record of the Morrow family is the por- 
trait of the Doctor on another page of the 
■■ Review." 



-rf^t'HI'^lvT S. RICH, one of the oldest 
IK^ business men of this section of Dela- 
Jjs\ ware County, is carrying on a prof- 

^"^ itable trade in general merchandise 
in the village of Hobart, w-here he has been 
located for twoscore years. During this 
length of time the sterling traits of his char- 
acter have become thoroughly known to his 
fellow-citizens, by whom he is held in high 
esteem. Mr. Rich was born in the town of 
.Stamford on i\Iarch 7, 1823, son of James and 
Helen (Marshall) Rich. ( I-'or further ances- 
tral history see the sketch of Mrs. Sarah 
Rich, which appears on another |)age of this 
work.) 

-Vfter lea\ing the tlistrict school he con- 
tinued his education in New York City. 
When eighteen years old, he secured a posi- 
tion as clerk in Hall's retail dry-goods store, 
where he remained five vears, faithfullv ful- 



234 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



filling his duties, and at the same time ac- 
quiring a good insight into the husiness. At 
the expiration of that time Mr. Rich, in com- 
pany with an associate, opened a store for the 
sale of dry goods; and for five years they car- 
ried on a successful business under the firm 
name of Rich & Hlish. The firm being then 
dissolved, the senior partner came to Hobart, 
where in 1855 he formed a partnership with 
John F. Grant, and, buying out the general 
merchandise establishment of Dr. McNaught, 
continued in trade, the firm of Rich & Grant 
being for a number of years one of the most 
active and thriving in the village. Mr. Rich 
subsequently bought the interest of his part- 
ner, and has since conducted the business by 
himself. He is one of the oldest and best- 
known merchants of Hobart, a man of excel- 
lent capacity and business talent; and his 
honest dealings and uniform courtesy have 
secured him the general respect and good 
will of the community. 

On April 25, 1850, Mr. Rich was united in 
marriage with Caroline D. Blish, a native of 
Stamford, and a descendant of one of the old- 
est families of the county, being the daughter 
of Aristarchus and Nancy Merriam Blish, for- 
merly prosperous members of the farming 
comrnunity of Stamford. Two sons and two 
daughters have been born of their union, the 
family record being as follows: James B., a 
single man, is a partner in his father's busi- 
ness. Caroline M., the wife of I.. E. Hig- 
ley, resides in North Adams, Mass. Stephen 
W., a farmer, lives in Stamford. Bertha E. 
lives with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Rich 
are members of the Presbyterian church at 
Hobart, and contribute liberally and cheer- 
fully toward its support. Politically, Mr. 
Rich is a steadfast Republican, and is a man 
of decided views, although quiet and unobtru- 
sive in his manner. His influence has always 
been strongly in favor of the maintenance of 
schools and churches, and whatever else is 
calculated to benefit the community. 



/^^TTToRGE A. FISHER, a well-known 

V •) I lawyer of Delhi, was born in Frank- 

^ — lin. May 27, 1850, and is a son of 

Enos B. and Hannah M. Fisher. His father 



and grandfather were both natives of this 
town, the great-grandfather, George Fisher, 
coming to America with the Hessian army in 
Revolutionary times. He took up a tract of 
timbered land near the present site of the vil- 
lage of Delhi, and, clearing the .same, built a 
log cabin and engaged in farming. His son 
John, grandfather of George A., improved the 
land which came into his possession on the 
death of his father, and built the first frame 
house in Delhi. He reared a family of three 
sons, namely: George J., who .still lives on 
the old homestead; Enos B. ; and Austin B., 
who is a resident of Brooklyn, N.Y. 

Enos B. Fisher received his education at 
the district schools, and resided with his 
father until he was about twenty, when he mar- 
ried, and purchased a small farm of his own, 
also working at carpentry. At the age of 
twenty-four he removed to Franklin, where he 
resided several years, afterward going to Sid- 
ney, and remaining there until 1875, when he 
leased his farm and returned to F"ranklin. 
His last years were spent at Unadilla, Otsego 
County. He was an extremely active man in 
all matters pertaining to the good of the town. 
He held the position of County Superintend- 
ent of the Poor tor three years, and was also 
one of the members and organizers of the Bap- 
tist church in Delhi, being deeply interested 
in all matters ])crtaining to church work, and 
holding many offices connected therewith. 
He was Superintendent of the Sunday-school 
at Sidney for many years. He married Miss 
Hannah M. Sloat, a daughter of William and 
Joanna (Bunce) Sloat, and one of a family of 
eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher reared 
nine children: John H.: Julia E. ; Austin 
E. ; Joanna P., the wife of William R. Flint, 
of Sidney; James W. ; George A.; Edward 
R.; Nancy E. ; and Willis H. Mr. Fisher 
died April 4, 1894, aged seventy-five, his 
wife having died about two weeks previous, 
at the age of seventy-four. 

George A. Fisher received most of his early 
education in the district school at Sidney, but 
later attended the Delaware Literary Institute 
at Franklin. At the age of twenty-one he 
went to Kansas, where he engaged in teaching 
for a period of five months, and then came 
bagk to York State, locating in Sherman, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



23s 



Chautauqua County, where lie was emploved 
in a hardware store. He afterward returned 
to Sidney, and assisted his father on the farm 
for a short time. lie then l)e<;an the study of 
hiw with the Hon. IC. I). Wagner, then 
County Judge and Surrogate of Dehiware 
('ounty, at Delhi, N.Y. He was appointed 
Clerk to the -Surrogate's Court, holding this 
office until the latter's term e.\])ired. In Sep- 
tember, 1876, he was admitted to the bar at 
Saratoga, and began practice in Delhi. In 
1890 he formed a copartnership with ex- 
Judge Wagner, and has continued with him 
ever since, doing a general law business, tliey 
probably having the largest practice of any 
law firm in the county. 

Mr. I'isher was married in 1878 to Miss 
Annie Williamson, a native of I3elhi, and a 
daughter of Robert and Sarah K. (Knapp) 
Williamson. Of this union there are three 
children— May W., Hertha W., and Sarah — 
the two first-named being students at the 
academy. The family are members of the 
.Second I'resbyterian Church. Mr. I-'isher is 
a member of the Zeta Phi .Society of Dellii. 
In politics he supports the Republican party. 
He is a man of liberal views and varied ac- 
ciuiremcnts, having a high rejMitation as an 
intelligent and honorable lawyer, and taking 
a deep interest in all enterprises that tend to 
])romote the welfare of the town. 



tLV. SAMUEL G. SHAW, Ph.D., 
pastor of the' Reformed Presbyterian 
church at Walton, N.Y., was born 
""^ in Orange County, November 20, 
1854. His father, the Rev. James W. Shaw, 
a native of Ireland, and grandfather William, 
who was originally a weaver in .Scotland, 
came to this country in 1824. William Shaw 
piuxhased a tract of ])artially cleared land in 
Washington Count}', upon which he built a 
log house, the same standing to this day. He 
moved later to Orange County, where he 
s])ent his declining years. His son, James 
W., was born in 1S12. He was educated in 
the district schools, and for S(mie time taught 
school, afterward entering Lafayette College, 
paying for his tuition by the aid of teaching. 
He was ordained to the ministry anil received 



his first charge in 1844, settling near Xew- 
burg on the Hudson, where he preached for 
some forty years, when he resigned, making 
his home there, and preaching occasionally 
u]) to the time of his death. He was married 
to h'.lizabeth McLaury I'"iiilcy, six children 
being born to them Martha, William J., 
Charles !■"., Margaret !■"., M. h'rances, and 
.Samuel ('•. 

The youngest son, bearing the ex|)ressive 
Hebrew name Samuel, as if to mark him as 
set ai)art for a divine calling, was educated in 
the district schools, and at the age of eighteen 
began teaching. This, however, was but a 
stej) toward a higher learning, to compass 
which he shortly entered the Xewburg Insti- 
tute, and there prepared for college. Later 
he matriculated at Columbia College, New 
York City, where he was graduated in 1880 
with high honors, and then pursued his theo- 
logical studies at the .Allegheny City .Semi- 
nary, graduating from that institution in 
1884. Previous to this time, while he was 
yet a student at the seminary, he had received 
three calls. After careful consideration he 
decided to accept the call from Walton, and 
for ten years has remained at that charge, 
where in addition to his ministerial duties 
he is prominent in the affairs of the village. 

The Rev. .Samuel C. '.Shaw was married in 
1885 to Miss Sarah J., the daughter of Will- 
iam and I-lUcn ( I.awson) Jliiton. Mrs. 
.Shaw's father was a iirominent builder and 
contractor of Newburg, where he conducted 
a successful business for nearly half a century. 
He died in 1890, aged seventy-four. Mrs. 
.Shaw has the following brothers and sisters: 
William IL. Robert J., Anna I'.. Samuel J., 
Mary IC. Minnie I-\. Ida L., Clara, Edith. 
Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have three children — 
Hazel II., William H., and Percy L. Shaw. 

The Rev. .Samuel G. Shaw is a man of 
rare personal and mental qualifications. 
Through his kindly instrumentality several 
young men have been fitted for college. Dur- 
ing his own student life he had a distin- 
guished career. He has received the degree 
of M.A., and in 1894 the degree of Ph.D., 
from the L'niversity of Wooster. He is an 
earnest and sincere Christian, a man of that 
superior type who may be said to add dignitv 



236 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



lo the human race by belonging to it, a man 
whose influence is faithfully exerted in behalf 
of things that are true, honest, just, lovely, 
and of good report. 




Charles lawson crushv, now 

a prominent resident of (iriffin"s 
Corners, Middletown, was born in 
the town of Halcott, Greene ■ 
County, on September 16, 1873. His father 
was Emerson M. Crosby, who married Mary 
Lawson, daughter of Joseph Lawson, a pros- 
perous farmer in Olive, Ulster County. Ben- 
jamin L. Crosby, the father of Emerson M., 
was born at Kelly's Corner on December 8, 
1797, and married Huldah Hull. Their 
wedding took place in 1819, and she died in 
1843. 

The children of this true and happy union 
were as follows: Lavinia Crosby was born 
October 18, 1820, and is now a resident of 
Margarettville. Thomas Crosby, who first 
saw the light of day on September 29, 1822, 
is at present living in the West. Edward 
Crosby was born September 2, 1824, and 
makes his home in Kingston, being a retired 
merchant, and the father of nine children. 
l-:ii Crosby, born in April, 1826, married 
Deborah Kelley, and died in 1873, leaving 
seven children; and his widow now lives in 
Halcott. David Crosby was born two years 
later, on Independence Day, 1828, married 
Bethia Brown, has three children, and lives 
on the old homestead at Halcott. Sally 
Crosby, whose birth was on the last day of 
September, 1830, is living in Shelby County, 
Iowa, having married John Vanderburg of that 
town. Ann Eliza Crosby, born May 2, 1832, 
became the beloved wife of Allen Lasher. 
Emerson M. Crosby was born on March 9, 
1834. Mary A. Crosby, now the widow of 
Mr. Kelley, was born September 2, 1836, and 
continues to live at Griffin's Corners with her 
two sons. Esther H. Crosby, the youngest of 
this well-known family, was born March 8, 
1839, and is the wife of W. H. Blish, of 
Griffin's Corners. After the death of his first 
wife Benjamin L. Crosby married Elizabeth 
Dickson, and was again made a widower in 
April, 1887. Until his death, on the first 



day of April, 1893, he then being in his 
ninety-sixth year. Grandfather Crosby con- 
tinued to live in Halcott, where he will long 
be remembered, not only as a reliable Justice 
of Peace, but as a man of unimpeachable 
integrity- 
Emerson M. Crosby was born on the old 
homestead, and grew to manhood there, being 
educated in the district school, and finishing 
at the Delhi Academy. He commenced his 
business career as a clerk for a well-known 
firm in Kingston, but left them to join his 
brother, Edward Crosby, in his store. A 
little later, however, when the old firm started 
a branch store at Griffin"s Corners, he ac- 
cepted a desirable offer, and once more be- 
came a clerk in their employ. It was not till 
after his marriage with Mary Lawson that he 
went to Halcott, where was born their son 
Charles. Mrs. Mary Crosby lived but three 
years after marriage. When she had passed 
away, Emerson returned to Griffin's Corners, 
where he took his old position, and remained 
in charge of the branch store until death, at 
the age of fifty-nine years, nine months, and 
fourteen days. Sorrow most genuine was felt 
at his decease; for the town had lost a friend, 
as well as a respected gentleman and enter- 
prising citizen. Emerson M. Crosby was 
President of the Griffin's Corners Water Com- 
pany, and was leader in the effort to establish 
this village aqueduct. In 1880 he built the 
store now occupied by his son, a structure 
four stories high, and fifty by sixty-four feet 
in area, the upper part being used as a dwell- 
ing. He owned the flats between the two 
creeks, was a dealer in timber land, and the 
first subscriber for the Episcopal church, for 
which he furnished the lumber. 

Emerson M. Crosby returned to Griffin's 
Corners when Charles was a babe of fourteen 
months; and the child's home was thenceforth 
with his aunt, Mrs. W. H. Blish. At the 
age of thirteen Charlie became a student at 
the Delaware Academy in Delhi, but finished 
his education at the Rochester Business Uni- 
versity. He came home in 1890 for a stay of 
six months; and then he went to Georgia, 
where he remained a year. On his return to 
Griffin's Corners he obtained the position, 
which he now holds, of clerk with Faulkner & 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



-37 



Laurence, who occupy Mr. Crosby's buildinf; 
for general trade. In adilition to this and his 
inherited real estate, .Mr. Charles L. Crosby 
is connected with the water company, has 
stock in the Griffin's and I'"leischnianns }hi- 
ald, and in the Ilalcott Teleijhone Company. 
As the only child and representative of his 
father, he has proved himself a man of excel- 
lent capacity. He is the owner of fine tim- 
ber land, and has sold the largest tract of 
hemlock in the county. Like his father and 
grandfather, he is a Democrat, and verv lib- 
eral in his religious views. Though he has 
not yet entered the bonds of matrimonv, we 
may be sure, if his life is spared, that Charles 
L. Crosby will not allow the family tree to 
perish for want of fruit and culture. Well 
said an ancient Greek philosopher, — 

"It is with youth as with plants: from the 
first fruits they bear we learn what may be 
expected in future." 



JB':- 



,NIEL E. McLEAX, a veteran of 
le Grand Army of the Republic, 
esteemed citizen of Walton, 
X.Y.. was born in this town Decem- 
ber 18, 1840, son of John and Olive (Will- 
iams) McLean. He is of Scotch origin, his 
great-grandfather, John McLean, having emi- 
grated from Scotland prior to the Revolution- 
ary War. He was commissioned Captain in 
the American army during the war, and 
served in that capacity until its conclusion. 
He settled in Schoharie County, New York, 
where he raised two children, John and Re- 
becca. John McLean, Jr., married a Miss 
Mudge, by which union he had a family of 
four sons and three daughters. Polly married 
Gordon Basto. settled in Walton, and died at 
Llale's Eddy. Dolly married l-"erdinand Thur- 
ber. John, the third of the name, born in 
1803, married Miss Olive Williams of Con- 
necticut. He was by trade a millwright, 
also engaging in farming. He was a man of 
high order of intelligence, and was well 
posted in State and county affairs. His fam- 
ily consisted of five children: James, born 



IS; 



married Catherine I-'rance, settling at 



Rock Rift; Alexander, born 1834, married 
Alvira Skinner, died in 1862: William A., 



born 1836, married Miss ]5ush, enlisted Au- 
gust, 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and 
l'"orty-fourth Xew^ York Volunteer Infantry, 
serving with his regiment throughout the war; 
Dolly McLean, born 1838; and Daniel I'!., 
1840. l\Ir. McLean died in 1870, his wife 
surviving him ten \ears. 

Daniel V.., the youngest child of John and 
Olive McLean, was educated in the district 
schools of Walton, and at the age of sixteen 
was an apprentice in a tannery, remaining 
there until he was nineteen, when he entered 
into i)artncrship with Marcus L. Sloat in the 
wagon-makmg business, which he continued 
until June, 1861. Upon the breaking out of 
the Civil War in 1861. he offered himself as 
a volunteer, enlisting in Company I, Seventy- 
second New York Volunteer Infantry. The 
regiment was mustered in at Staten' Island, 
where they remained until Julv 21, the dav 
niaile memorable by the battle 'of Bull Run. 
when they started for Washington, remaining 
there imtil September, wintering at Camp 
Scott. After breaking camji, they joined Mc- 
C lei Ian "s army in front of Yorktown, and 
engaged in the fight at Williamsburg, where 
the Seventy-second bore the brunt of the 
battle, every fourth man JK-ing either killed 
or wounded. 

On June .'5 Mr. McLean was wounded by 
a minie ball, which struck his left shoulder- 
blade, taking in its passage a piece of the 
spine, and embedding itself in the right 
shoulder. He was sent to Bedloe's Island, 
N.\'., receiving a furlough home, after which 
he returned to Fort Hamilton, where he re- 
mained until March i, 1863, being then sent 
to the convalescent cam[) near Alexandria, 
when he was honorably discharged from the 
army on account of a gunshot wound. Mr. 
McLean returned to his native town, remain- 
ing there until October 13, when he re- 
enlisted at Hancock in Companv .A. Twenty- 
fifth New York Cavalry, known as Sickles's 
Cavalry. On July lo, 1864. they were or- 
dered out to meet General I-larly, who was ad- 
vancing on the city of Washington. On the 
nth, at ten o'clock, they were ordered to 
dejiloy in front of Voxi Stevens, and advance 
on the enemy's line. Marching two hundred 
yards through an open fieUl, thev held the 



238 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



enemy in check until lialf-past three, when 
they were relieved from their perilous posi- 
tion. Mr. McLean was promoted on the field 
to First Sergeant, and took command of his 
company. They were afterward sent to join 
the army of the -Shenandoah in General Cus- 
ter's division. Mr. McLean was taken pris- 
oner, September 3, 1864, and sent to 
Richmond, being paroled February 2, 1865. 
He again joined his regiment at Harper's 
Ferry, and was mustered out of service on 
July 14. Upon his return to Walton Mr. 
McLean occupied himself in farming. Since 
1887 he has followed the business of Pension 
Agent. In February of that year he was 
elected Poor Commissioner, serving three 
terms. 

Mr. McLean was married December 17, 
1868, to Miss Addie Bradley, a daughter of 
Hull and Sylvia (Gould) Bradley. By this 
union there were four children: Luella, born 
July 6, 1875; Lizzie, born February 11, 
1877; Ralph C, born December 21, 1882; 
Floyd S., born August 28, 1886. Mrs. Mc- 
Lean, who was a most estimable wife and 
mother, died December 28, 1887. On Octo- 
ber I, 1890, Mr. McLean married for his sec- 
ond wife Miss Lizzie Marvin, and by this 
union has one child, Mildred E., born Sep- 
tember 3, I 89 1. 

Mr. McLean is a charter niember of Ben 
Marvin Post, No. 209, Grand Army of the 
Republic, of Walton, at the present time fill- 
ing the position of Aide on the staff of the 
Commander-in-chief. He is also a member of 
Walton Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 559. In 
politics Mr. McLean is a Republican, and has 
filled several important local offices of trust. 
He has always enjoyed a high reputation as 
an honorable and upright citizen, his record 
in civil life being as pure and spotless as his 
militarv life was brave and faithful. 



NDRFW JACKSON STOUTEN- 
BUKGH, deceased, a late resident 
of Kortright, was a descendant of 
the old Dutch family of that name, 
which was one of the first to settle in the 
State of New York, and at one time possessed 
much of the land now occupied by New York 




City. His grandfather, Tobias Stoutenburgh, 
was a farmer of Dutchess County, owning a 
productive farm in Milan, where he died at 
the age of eighty- five years, his wife Susan 
also living to be over eighty years of age. 
They were the parents of five children, all of 
whom have passed away. 

Peter Stoutenburgh, the father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was born in Dutchess 
County, where he grew to manhood and mar- 
ried. About 1S14 he removed to Kortright, 
and made his home on the land afterward oc- 
cupied by his son Andrew J., the tract at that 
time being a dense forest containing seventy- 
five acres. This he cleared, building a log 
house, and, as the result of unceasing labor, 
after some years was able to buy seventy-five 
acres in addition to his original purchase. 
He passed the latter part of his life in Har- 
persfield, where he died at the age of eighty- 
four years. He was a member of the Christian 
church. Politically, he was a Democrat. 
His wife, Lydia (Borden) Stoutenburgh, was 
a native of Dutchess County. She was also a 
member of the Christian church. She died at 
the age of seventy-six years. Her eleven 
children were as follows: William, who lives 
in Delhi; Eliza Avery, of Bloomville; To- 
bias, a resident of Fergusonville: Maria, who 
was the wife of Asa Warner, and died at the 
age of sixty years; Catherine, who passed 
away when thirty years old, the wife of Arch- 
ibald Freeman, of Stamford ; Ann, who was 
married, and died at the age of about sixty; 
Charles, who died when thirty years of age; 
Andrew Jackson, of whom this biography is 
written; Edward, of Harpersfield; Alfred, a 
resident of Penn Yan, N.Y.; and Sarah, the 
wife of Henry Joslyn, of Harpersfield. 

Andrew Jackson Stoutenburgh was born in 
Kortright, January 23, 1824, and was edu- 
cated in the district schools. He learned the 
trade of carpenter, and at the age of twenty- 
four started out for himself. Three years 
later he married Mi.ss Cordelia Gregory, who 
was born within sight of the home of her mar- 
ried life. For fifteen years Mr. Stoutenburgh 
followed his trade, and then engaged in farm- 
ing, purchasing the land which is now occu- 
]Med by Mr. James May. Here he resided for 
two years, and in 1854 bought the farm which 



BIOGRAl'IlICAL REVIEW 



2.39 



he occupied until his death, which took phicc 
Novonihcr i i. 1894. This contains onr hun- 
dred and twcnty-cin'ht acres, and has been 
inijirovcd in a reniari<able liegree luidcr Mr. 
St(niteni)urj;h"s supervision. A lar!;e barn 
has been erected, and an e.\tensi\-e dairv is 
now o])erated. 

Ot tile union of i\Ir. .Stoutenl)ur;;li and 
Miss Gregory was born one son, Tlieron 1'., 
the ilate of his birtli being March 9, 1859. 
He is married, and a jeweller by trade, but 
now tlevotes his lime to agricultural pursuits, 
residing on the home farm. Mrs. .Stouten- 
burgh passed from earth a short time before 
her husband, at the age nl si.Kty-si.\ years, 
sadly mourned by a wide circle of friends. 
Mr. Stoutenburgh was a liberal-miniled man, 
anil a Democrat in jjolitics. lie was highly 
respected by all who knew him. 



-AMES W. YOL'N(;, of the town of 
.Si(lne\', Delaware Comity, son of Will- 
iam J. and Mary J. (Snyder") Young, 
was b(U"ii February 16, 1863, on the 
farm where he now resides. Intelligent, en- 
terprising, and versatile, in the full \'igor of 
early manhood, lie not only cultivates his an- 
cestral acres, conducts a dairy, and keejis 
bees, but also I'uns a Job i)rinting-oftice. II is 
father was born in the town of ()tego, Otsego 
County, November 11, 1821, and his mother 
in the town of Davenport. Delaware County, 
August 14, 1832. 

His great-grandparents, Joseph and I'"li/,a- 
beth (Peck) \'oung, lived all their lives upon 
a farm, he d\-ing at tlie age of eighty-two and 
she at fiftv-seven. Tlu'y were natives of 
Connecticut, and of New Ivngland ancestry. 
A few years aftei" their marriage they moved 
to the Mohawk Valley, and thence to Otsego 
County, in the early part of the present cen- 
tury. They had the severe experiences of 
]iioneer life in tlie woods remote from neigh- 
bors, mills, and markets. Healthful and 
hardy, they toiled resolutely, cheerfully, and 
to good inirjiose, dealing a farm upon wliich 
after a well -spent life they died. The par- 
ents of Joseph \'oimg were Clemens ami 
Lydia Young, natives of Connecticut, in 
which State they spent their entire lives. 



dying at c|uite an aiKanced age. Joseph 
Yoimg and liis wife were the parents of si.\- 
teen cliildi'en, most of whom lived to mature 
years and married. Tliey are all now de- 

j ceased. One of the sons, John, served in the 
War of 18 I 2. Another son, James C, grand- 
father ol Janus W. \'oung, married Mlizabeth 
-Snyder, a native of New \'ork Stale; and 
they lived upon ;i farm from their marriage 
until their death. They rearetl a family of 
si.\ children, two sons anrl four daughters, of 
whom the three following are now living: 
Mrs. Diana Stenson, in L'nadilla, Otsego 
County; Mrs. Catharine llalhawa)-. in Lau- 
rens: ;ui(l Norman D. \'oung, occupying ihi- 
old homestead in Otego. Ciandfalher N'oung 
was a Democrat in politics, and he and his 
wife were both consistent members of the 
rroteslanl I^piscopal church. He died when 
eighty-nine years of agi-, and liis wife at the 
age of seveiitv-nine. 

William J. \'oung grew to manhood in his 
native town, Otego, and received an education 
cpialifying him to teach school. Beginning 
the work of life at si.xteen years of age, he 
taught school several years, aftei'ward devot- 
ing himself to farming in Delaware Count)-. 
He first settled on a farm in Sidney, now oc- 
cupied by Mrs. Hetsy Butts; and, after living 

I on that farm several years, he sold it, :uid re- 
mo\'ed to the homesteatl now owneil by his 
son. He had a good farm of one hundred 
acres. Besides managing that, he was en- 
gaged in mercantile business at the railroad 
station known as \'oung"s, in the establish- 
ment of which he was the |)rinie mox'er. He 
was a Democrat, an intluential citizen, and 
held sewial offices in the town. He was a 
member of the Methodist h',])iscopal church, 
and often filled the ]nilpit as a local preacher, 
lie was also a great lover of books, and he 
had a large librarv. He dii-d March 11, 
1883. .Mr. N'ouiig had two wi\es. His first 
wife. I'olly J. Ta\lor. to whom he was mar- 
ried (October 20. 1843, was born September 
15, 1827, and died November 24, 1859. His 
second wife. Mar\' J. .Snytler, to whom he was 
married March 2, 1 S60, was born .August 14. 
1832, and die'd on June 3. 1891. His chil- 
dren b\- the first marriage were: I'amelia, 
born Novemljer 15. 1S47, died March 9, 



240 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



1849; Cordelia, born July 5, 1849, died the 
same day; Ella J., born January 28, 1851, 
died March 29, 1890; Mary J., born April 
24, 1S53, died November 2, 1873. The 
children of the second marriage were: James 
W. ; and Sarah A., who was born November 
8, 1867, and died December 4, 1880. 

James VV. Young has spent most of his life 
on the old farm where he first drew breath. 
Fond of his books, he acquitted himself well 
in the district school and at the Walton Acad- 
emy, whither he was sent at an early age. 
When about fourteen, he set himself to learn 
the printer's trade at home, where he still 
does a job printing business. He owns one 
hundred and thirty-five acres of good land, 
and carries on general husbandry, besides 
keeping a dairy of twenty head of fine Ayr- 
shire cattle and fifty stands of bees, Italian 
and other kinds. 

Mr. Young was married on October 8, 
1879, to Essie M. Dicks, who was born June 
3, 1861, in the neighboring town of Walton, 
and died May 11, 1881. He was again mar- 
ried, on Christmas Day, 1884, to Sarah A. 
Honeyvvellj who was born in Sidney, January 
"fg^ 1 86 1, a daughter of Legrand and Catha- 
rine M. Honeywell. Her father, now de- 
ceased, was a worthy farmer and an early 
settler in these parts. Her mother, Mrs. 
Catharine M. Honeywell, lives at the Honey- 
well homestead adjoining the Young estate. 
Mr. Young has one son by his first wife, 
William J., born August 19, 1880. Mrs. 
Young is a Methodist, while Mr. Young is a 
liberal in his religious views. He is a 
Notary Public, and has held other local 
offices, being a useful and valued citizen. 
The family have a pleasant home in the com- 
modious and tasteful dwelling erected by Mr. 
Young's father. Everything about the place 
is neatly kept, and betokens good manage- 
ment, prosperity, and comfort. 



"OSEPII h'A'lCLAND was born in Rox- 
bury, Delaware County, N.Y., Decem- 
ber 12, 1844, of German parentage, 
and was educated in the common 
schools of the county. He began to learn 
the art of printing in 1862, in the office of the 



Franklin I'isitor, owned by G. W. Reynolds. 
In 1864 he entered the army, enlisting at 
Delhi, N.Y., in Company D, One Hundred 
and F'orty-fourth Regiment, New York Vol- 
unteers. After his military experiences he 
entered the employ of Sturtevant & Mcintosh 
in the office of the Delaware Republican^ and 
in 1867 purchased the interest of Alvin Stur- 
tevant in that paper. In 1869 he sold his 
interest to Mr. Mcintosh, and went to Am- 
herst, Va., where he started and for several 
years published the Amherst Enterprise, in 
connection with the Hon. Thomas Whitehead. 
He returned to the North in the spring 
of 1879, ^""-1 purchased the Franklin Register 
of Nathan L. Lyon. In 1881 he was ap- 
pointed Postmaster of Franklin, succeeding 
Egbert Chamberlin, and served four years. 
In 1883 he changed the name of the Franklin 
Register to the Dairyman, enlarged the paper, 
changed its form, and greatly extended its 
circulation. He has since added many im- 
provements, and is now possessed of most 
modern facilities for conducting the en- 
terprise. 

In 1869 Mr. Eveland married Josephine 
Liljegren; and from this union six children 
were born, three sons and three daughters. 
The eldest, George T. Eveland, is at this 
time associated with his father in the publica- 
tion of the Dairyman, and is also serving as 
Town Clerk of Franklin. 



OHN E. POWELL, one of the most 
honored citizens and thriving business 
men of Bloomville, was born July 7. 
1842, in the town of Roxbury, and was 
the son of Hiram and Fanny (Eaton) Powell. 
Hiram was born in Dutchess County, New 
York; and his wife was born in Connecticut. 
Reuben Powell, the father of Hiram, was an 
early settler of Dutchess County, and from 
there moved to Delaware County, spending 
his last days in Middletown. 

The father of John E. Powell was a mason 
by trade, engaging in this business during his 
early life, but later buying a large farm of 
two hundred acres in the town of Roxbury. 
He was one of the leading farmers of that vi- 
cinity, his success being due in a great meas- 



HIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



241 



lire to his energy and patient toil; and nnieii 
praise should be awarded iiini. Both he and 
his wife were prominent members of the Ba|)- 
tist chureh at Roxbury, and he was in polities 
a Democrat. They died at the home of their 
daughter, Mrs. Cordelia Rightmyer, he at the 
age of eighty and she at seventy years, leaving 
six children, all of whom are now living, 
namely: William D. Powell, a village black- 
smith in Roxbury; John K., of whom this 
sketch is written; Cynthia Preston, wife of 
George C. Preston, who resides in the city of 
Kingston; Charles H. Powell, of Whatcom, 
Wash.; Cordelia Rightmyer, who resides in 
Kingston; and Myron C., whose home is near 
Whatcom, Wash. 

John K. grew to manhood in Roxbury. re- 
ceiving his education at tin- academv there. 
He engaged in farming in Lexington, Greene 
County, owning a farm of one hundred and 
seven acres near the village, where he lived 
for nine years. In 1S76 he moved from Lex- 
ington, where he had been in the hardware 
and tin business, and established in Bloom- 
ville the first store of that kind. He now has 
an extensive business, keeping a general hard- 
ware store, and carrying a full line of machin- 
ery and farm implements. His stock is 
valued at five thousand dollars; and he has 
built up an excellent trade, giving his undi- 
vided attention to his business. 

On May 10, 1S65, .Mr. Powell married Miss 
Mary A. Burnside, of liloomville. who was 
born in 1847. the daughter of John Burnside. 
Her father was one of the early settlers of 
this village, and tlied there in 1853 at the 
age of forty-three. Mr. and IMrs. Powell 
have three children: Eugene M., who was 
born in 1S67, is married, and a j)artner in his ! 
father's business; William IC, a speculator, | 
who resides at home; and l-^mma ^L, also at 
home. 

John E. Powell and his wife are liberal in j 
their religious views, and he supports the 
Democratic political party. He has been a 
Justice of the Peace for fifteen years, has 
always taken an active part in the 'welfare of 
the town, and is among the men who have | 
been instrumental in accomplishing much fm- ' 
this thriving village, having built three build- 
ings, two stores and one residence. 




DW.AkD H()\"r, a prominent farmer 
residing four miles north of the village 
)f Walton, was born on the farm 
adjoining the one where he now lives, January 
20, 1S27. On it his father, Amasa Hoyt', 
was also born. The grandfather, Thaddeus 
Hoyt, was born in .New (Janaan, Conn., com- 
ing to New York State in 17S9, in com|jany 
with four other hardy pioneers. Thev made a 
clearing near the present farm of .Mr. Hoyt, 
{ working all that summer, and returning in the 
I s])ring of 1790 with their several families, as 
follows: Thaddeus Hoyt, Malthue and .Silas 
Benedicl, Lindel and Seymour Fitch. The 
families all settled within a radius of half a 
mile, erecting log cabins and clearing their 
huui. 

Thaddeus Hoyt married Jemima Benedict, 
four sons being born to them ; namely, Thad- 
deus, Amasa, John, and Chainicey. The fam- 
ily was always prominent in church work. 
One ot the sons was a minister, and the others 
were deacons. At the time of their advent, 
in 1790, there was no church in the neighbor- 
hood of Walton; and they had, therefore, re- 
course to prayer-meetings, which were held 
every Wednesday evening, a custom which 
has been kept up in the several families to 
the present day, a period of over one hundred 
N'ears. 

.Amasa Hoyt was brought up to agricultural 
piu'suits. He was married in 1814 to JCIi/a- 
beth, who was a daughter of Samuel Seymour, 
and one of the fol lowing family : Samuel .A., 
Smith, John, Stephen, Sadie, Anna, I''.liza- 
beth. Mary, Fannie, and lunma. Mrs. H"vt 
was a native of Walton, Delaware Countv. her 
father being a wel 1-to-do farmer. .She reared 
the following family: Gabriel A., deceased; 
.Amasa L. ; Thaddeus; l-'rederick ; Edward; 
ICdwin. deceased; William S. ; Julia; and 
Whitney. Mrs. Ho\t died in 1874, aged 
seventy-six. and Mr. Hoyt in 1872, aged 
seventy-six. 

lulward Ho\t was educated in the district 
schools, and worked with his father on the 
farm until he was thirty years of age, at 
which lime he ])urchase(l a portion of the old 
homestead. He was married Januarv 19, 
1856, to Miss Helen Benedict, a daughter of 
Ira Benedict, a farmer of this town, and a 



242 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



representative of an old Connecticut family 
previously mentioned. Three children blessed 
this union, namely: Fanny K. ; Ira E., who 
married Margaret, a daughter of Charles Pine, 
a neighboring farmer; and Helen E. Mrs. 
Hoyt died April 8, 1885. She was a stanch 
member of the Congregational church, in 
which Mr. Hoyt has been a Deacon many 
years. 

On the 22d of August, 1862, Mr. Hoyt 
enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and 
Forty-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, 
under Colonel Robert S. Hughston, and was 
sent with his regiment to join the Army of 
the Potomac. He was wounded December 9, 
1864, and was confined in the hospital until 
April 28, 1865, when he was honorably dis- 
charged from the service on account of disabil- 
ity. Mr. Hoyt is a member of Post No. 209, 
Grand Army of the Republic, of Walton. In 
politics he is a Republican, but has never 
been an aspirant for office. His elder daugh- 
ter keeps house for him. The younger is a 
graduate of the State normal school of Os- 
wego, and is now engaged in teaching on 
Long Island. 

The genealogical tree of the Hoyt family is 
as follows: Daniel B., born in 1681, married 
Sarah Starr, of Danbury, and died at Nor- 
walk, Conn., in 1764, leaving the following 
children: Abel; Ezra, great-great-grandfather 
of the subject of this notice; Abigail; Dan- 
iel; Abner; John; Nathan; Mary; and Abra- 
ham. Ezra, born April 23, 1707, married 
Phoebe Benedict, April 4, 1731, and had the 
following children: Anna; Ezra; Thaddeus; 
Lydia; Mathew, the great-grandfather; Mar- 
tha; Elizabeth; John; Jonathan; and Phcebe. 
Mathew, horn May 6, 1741, married first 
Mary Lock wood, January 21, 1761, and for 
his second wife the widow Mercy Hayes. He 
had the following children : Anna; Ephraim; 
Thaddeus, the grandfather; Mary; Thankfull; 
Mercy; Mathew; Phoebe; Ephraim; Esther; 
Liffe; and Samuel. 

Mr. Hoyt is hale and hearty, at the age of 
sixty-seven, being remarkably active both 
mentally and physically. During his long 
and eventful life he has kept a diary, in which 
he has daily recorded the most important 
events of the times. It consists of several 



hundred pages; and the local matter is so 
interesting and authentic that it is being pub- 
lished by the Walton Tivus, one of the most 
progressive papers in the county. Mr. Hoyt 
is a most entertaining and agreeable com- 
panion, and has always been held in the high- 
est esteem. 




APTAIN PALMER L. BURROWS, 
whose lamented death occurred at his 
home in Deposit in the town of 
Tompkins, N.Y., scarcely two 
months ago, on November 16, 1894, was born 
here, on the same farm, on January 8, 1S14. 
His grandfather, John Burrows, was a promi- 
nent farmer in Groton, New London County, 
Conn., where he became a victim of the Gro- 
ton massacre. Peris Burrows, a son of John, 
was born in Groton, and was reared and mar- 
ried in his native State, where he resided 
until 1 80 1, after which he emigrated with his 
wife and child to the State of New York, re- 
moving his stock to Catskill by way of Long 
Island Sound and the Hudson River. From 
Catskill he continued the journey by means of 
ox teams, and after his arrival at his destina- 
tion purchased a tract of heavily timbered 
land, part of which after his demise passed 
into the hands of his son, the subject of this 
sketch. In those early days the people de- 
pended entirely on the products of their land 
for their maintenance, nearly all the pioneers 
being more or less engaged in . the lumber 
business, in which Peris Burrows employed 
himself. He served in the War of 181 2, and 
resided in Tompkins until his death, at sixty- 
one years of age. The wife of Peris Bur- 
rows was Deborah Wightman, who was born 
in Groton, Conn., daughter of John Wight- 
man, of that town. She died in her eighty- 
sixth year, the mother of ten children. 

Palmer L., son of Peris and Deborah Bur- 
rows, was reared and educated in his native 
town, succeeding his father in the ownership 
of the old home farm. In 1845 he started 
out to seek his fortune, journeying by team 
to Otsego, thence by horse railroad to Ithaca, 
and from there to Montezuma by boat. By 
means of the canal he reached Buffalo; and 
thither he departed over the lakes to Chicago, 




CflPT, PfiLftER L. Burrows, 




Mrs Sophronia M. Burrows. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



247 



which was at that time but an infant city. 
From Chicago he travelled westward to 
Dixon. 111., thence down the Rock River to 1 
Rock Island, and tlien crossed the Mississippi j 
to Davenport, la. Here he jiurchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of government land at 
one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, and 
then returned to his farm in Tompkins in 
time to finish the haying, but soon left it 
again to participate in the anti-rent war, 
being absent about four months. Me then re- 
sumed his former occupation of farming and 
lumbering, acting as pilot on the Delaware 
River for over fifty years. In 1862 Mr. Bur- 
rows was instrumental in the organization of 
Company A, One Hundred and I'^irt^-fourth 
New York Volunteer Infantry, of which he 
was elected Captain, holding this position for 
eight months. Being obliged by illness con- 
tracted while on duty to resign and return 
home, he again engaged in farming and lum- 
bering. 

lanuar)- 2. 1838, Palmer 1.. Bunows mar- 
ried Miss Sophronia M. Shaw, who was born 
in Delhi, Delaware County, April 27, 1815. 
Her father was Ansel Shaw, a native of I'lain- 
fiekl, Mass., a son of Josiah Shaw, who was a 
soldier in the Re\olution for seven years, and 
removed to Delhi in iSoij, one of the pio- 
neers of that town, living there with iiis wife 
Nancy during the latter part of his life. 
Ansel Shaw was educated and grew to man- 
hood in his native .State, and removed to 
Delhi with his parents, the journey being 
made in teams. He made hinisidf possessor 
of a tract of timbered land in Delhi, which he 
cleared for his farm, residing tliere for many 
years, afterward taking up his residence with 
his daughter, Mrs. Burrows, in Deposit, 
where he died at the age of eighty-seven 
years. His wife was Lavina Phillips, bora at 
Hartford, Conn., a daughter of John Philli])s, 
who was a Revolutionary soldier. She died 
when sixty-seven years old. Mrs. Burrows 
began teaching when but sixteen, and taught 
both summer and winter terms until her 
marriage. 

Captain Burrows and his wife were the par- 
ents of six chiUlren, who are now living. A 
brief record of the family is as follows: Char- 
lotte L., who married John Sumner, of 



Thompson, Pa., and has fi\'e children; 
namely, Carrie (Mrs. Dwight P'reeman, who 
has one child, P^arl .S. ), Laura, Oseanna, 
Mary, and Charles \V. ; .Samuel U'., who mar- 
ried Jennie Rhodes, of Aknjn, Ohio, and lias 
four children —- P'rederick, Lewis, IMary, and 
Carl; Linus P., who married Isabella Mc- 
Glynn, of New York, and has four children — 
Anna, William, Gertrutle. ami a babe un- 
named; Anna, the wife of liarl Smith, of De- 
posit; James I"., who married Lulu Hanford, 
of Walton; Orrin, the husband of Alice 
-Smith, of Paterson, N.J., and father of three 
chiklren — Leah B., James, and Oseanna. On 
January 2, 1894, Captain and Mrs. Burrows 
celebrated the fifty-sixth anniversary of their 
wedding, receiving on that occasion the con- 
gratulations of many friends. In ])oIitics he 
was a Re])ublican, and, like his wife, was a 
member of the i'resbyterian church. 

The death of this jjatriotic and valued citi- 
zen called forth many exjiressions of high 
regard. Said one who knew him well: "Mr. 
Burrows was a noble, bra\'e, and true man, 
greatly endeared to all his friends. When 
the One Hundred and I'orty-fourth Regiment 
was raised, no man was more active, earnest, 
or influential in procuring volunteei's than he 
was, or more heartily abused by the enemies 
of the War for tire I'nion." .At the memorial 
services in the Presbyterian church Dr. O. T. 
Bundy sj^oke eloquently of his militar\- ser- 
vices: "It had been difficult up to this time 
for any companv of men that enlisted as a 
company to be suited as to its officers; and 
comjianies were disbanded after going to the 
place of rendezvous, when they found that 
strangers were to commantl them. So the 
task of officering a regiment of one thousanil 
raw recruits safely was the problem to be 
worked out. .'\side from tiie colonel, the 
office of captain of a company was the most 
res]ionsible of any on the arm)'. On him, 
more than on an\' one else, dej^ended the care 
of the men while in camp, their efficiency 
while on jiarade or inspection, and their safety 
while in battle. He, too, was to set the ex- 
ample of industry and courage, and to inspire 
his men with an equal amount." 

After Company A, One Hundred and Forty- 
fourth Regiment, New York \'olunteers, was 



248 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



mustered for the war, it was the universal 
sentiment that the man had been found who 
could be safely trusted to fill this position, 
when Captain Palmer L. Burrows consented to 
assume the responsibility this rank had con- 
ferred upon him. Beyond the age in years 
when he might be called upon to go, already 
having furnished two sons who could and did 
represent him fully, leaving a large family 
behind him dependent upon his care, he took 
up the burden placed upon him by the uni- 
versal choice of the men who composed this 
company. If the name of patriot cannot be 
written upon his tomb, there is no place 
for it anywhere. Stricken by disease after 
but a few months of service, he was pro- 
nounced by a board of surgeons physically 
disabled for further serv-ice: and he reluc- 
tantly gave up the trust he had heroically as- 
sumed. Of his army life it can be said that 
no duty was ever so laborious or danger ever 
so great but that he obeyed the order, and he 
carried to his death the scars received in the 
campaign where he fought for the Union. 

The interest and value of this biographical 
sketch are greatly enhanced by the accompany- 
ing portraits of Captain Burrows and his 
widowed wife, the faithful sharer of his joys 
and sorrows for more than a half-centurv. 




I^AMUEL JESSUP WHITE, M.D., 
a successful physician of Franklin, 
although still a comparatively young 
man, has already achieved an hon- 
ored position among his professional brethren, 
and built up a good practice in this locality. 
He was born on August 12, 1862, in Gilberts- 
ville, Otsego County. His father, the Rev. 
Samuel J. White, D.D., now a resident of 
Walton, was born in Durham, Greene County, 
in February, 18 14, was graduated from Will- 
iams College in 1839, and studied theology at 
the Union Theological Seminary in New 
York City. His first settled pastorate was 
over the Presbyterian church in Franklin, 
where he presided from 1844 until 1852. In 
the mean time he was united in marriage in 
1846 with Mary A. P'inch. Their family 
circle was completed by the birth of six chil- 
dren, one of whom, a daughter named 



Frances, died at the age of six years. The 
record of the living children is as follows: 
Mary, the wife of the Rev. T. D. Barclay, 
resides in Kent, Conn. William F., a lead- 
ing light of the legal fraternity, and junior 
member of the firm of P'ancher & White, of 
Walton, is District Attorney. Elizabeth M., 
the wife of Charles S. Hitchcock, lives in 
Fruitland, Fla. Sarah F., the wife of Will- 
iam R. North, is a resident of Goshen, Conn. 
Samuel J. is the subject of further mention 
below. 

Samuel J. White acquired iiis elementaiv 
education in the public schools of Walton, 
going from there to Claverack Institute, and 
afterward fitting for college at Kent, Conn. 
After pursuing the course of study at Will- 
iams College, .he entered the Medical Uni- 
versity of New York City, from which he was 
graduated with an honorable record in 1888. 
The following year and a half Dr. White had 
a valuable experience as physician in the 
Bellevue Hospital. In November, 1889, he 
opened an office in the village of Franklin, 
and since that time has devoted his entire 
attention to the active labors of his profession 
with most satisfactory results to both himself 
and his patrons. On the 1st of January, 
1894, prior to going South with his wife, who 
was out of health. Dr. White took as partner 
George H. Brinkman, M.D. 

The union of Dr. White and Mary I. Hoag 
was solemnized on August 5, 1891. Mrs. 
White is a daughter of ]\Irs. Julia Hoag, 
of Franklin; and she has but one brother, 
Frank Hoag, of Franklin. Mrs. Hoag is the 
daughter of David and Isabel (Hotchkiss) 
Penfield, both of whom were born in the town 
of Harpersfield, this county, but settled in 
1841, after marriage, on a farm in Ridgeville, 
and lived there seven years. Returning to the 
scenes of their youthful days, they bought a 
farm in Harpersfield: and on that they labored 
successfully until 1862, when the)' disposed 
of that property and jnirchased another farm, 
situated about two miles from Franklin. 
They were the parents of five children, one 
boy and four girls, namely: Julia, the mother 
of Mrs. White; Fannie Maria, a resident of 
Franklin, and the widow of A. W. Metcalf, 
who died in Otsego County in 1889: Mary 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



249 




M., the wife of David C. Shaw: Oiriii I.., a 
farmer, who resiiles on the old home farm ; 
Ida Isabel, the wife of Alfred Ogden. 

In politics the Doctor cordially indorses the 
princijiles of the Republican partv. Relig- 
iously, both he and his estimable wife are 
consistent members ot the Congregational 
church. With his other attainments, Dr. 
White is a fine musician, and with liis cornet 
adds to the music of the best choir in the 
town of Franklin. 



ILLIAM ORR, a most successful 
farmer and dairyman of the village 
of Almcda, town of Kortright, 
Delaware County, N.\'., was born on I^'ebru- 
ary 18, 1S37. on the farm where he now 
resides, fie is a son of Da\id and Nancy 
(Spence) Orr, whose history may be found in 
the sketch of the (Jrr family in this volume. 
He was educated at the district schools of the 
town, and then gave his attention to farming, 
always living at the old home. 

On January 4, 1865, Mr. Orr married Mary 
Knight, who was born in Broome County, 
September 24, 1839, a daughter of .Stejihen 
Knight. His wife Mary died March 11, 
1867: and four years later, on May 30, 1871, 
Mr. Orr was united in marriage to Miss Kate 
I-^vertson, a nati\e of Troy. Her ]jarents 
were John H. and Finetta (Sipj^erly) l-Ivert- 
son, both of whom have passed away. In 
1872 Mr. Orr purchased the old homestead of 
one hundred and fifty-one acres, where he now 
resides, and is employed in farming and 
dairying, keeping thirty head of cattle and 
manufacturing butter of superior quality. He 
is a hard worker and good manager, and his 
evident success in life is due to his own un- 
tiring efforts. His farm is one of the best on 
the Betty Brook Road, where he erected a fine 
residence in 1880. 

Mr. Orr has lost two children, but is the 
father of five who still live, namely: Leonard 
K. Orr, a wagon-maker, dealer in hardware, 
and the Postmaster at Almeda; Mary F., who 
is unmarried, and lives with her paients; 
Agnes A., William l-!., and John H.. the 
three last-named also residing at home. Mr. 
Orr is a Republican and a representative man 



of his town. He is a member of the Kort- 
right Insurance Comi)any. anil, with his wife, 
is a regular attendant at the Reformed i'res- 
byterian church. A man of good moral ])rin- 
ciples and sound judgment, Mr. ( )rr ludds an 
en\'iable ])osition in the hi'arts of his many 
friends. 



OIIX M. I. VON. contractor and 
builder, is one of the best-known 
^IJ and thoroughly successful business 
men of W'alton, having gained a wide 
reputation for his well-iilanned and well- 
finished work, t)f which many buiklings in 
this \illage and elsewhere are illustrations. 
He was one of seven children, five of whom 
are still li\-ing. Three of his brothers 
fought in the Civil War, namely: Flijah, 
who died of fever while in the army in the 
prime of life; another, William, who was in 
his countrv's service for one year, and was 
wounded in the battle of Honey Hill; Giles. 
who died in KS94, his death being caused bv 
a fall. 

|ohn M. Lyon was born in Andes, Dela- 
ware County, October 30, 1826. In his boy- 
hootl he worked on his father's farm, and 
attended school until he reached his twen- 
tieth vear. He then taught school one 
winter term. Init when twenty-one adopted 
the carpenter's trade, and, being a natural 
mechanic, was not obliged to serve the re- 
i|uiied ti-rin as an apjirentice. In 1858, in 
company with two brothers, he purchased a 
planing-mill and a sash and blind factory, 
which they operate in connection with their 
business as contractors and builders. They 
have been the contractors for seven churches, 
auKMig them the Baptist church in Walton, 
the others being fine structures in some of the 
surrounding towns. In 1883 this firm con- 
structed the city hall, a building of fine pro- 
portions and unquestionable beauty, which the 
citizens of the town are proud to exhibit to 
strangers as a sample of the work accomi)lished 
bv the firm of which Mr. Lyon is a member. 

Septend)er 17, 1856, Mr. Lyon was mar- 
ried to Miss Julia Kells, a native of this 
county and daughter of Mead and Philena 
(^Johnson) Eells. Mrs. Lyon was the young- 



250 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



est of a large family of children, six of whom 
lived to reach maturity. She died March 
II, 1873, at the age of thirty-seven years, 
leaving one son and four daughters: George 
Lyon, a contractor and builder of Denver, 
Col., who is married and has a home in that 
city; Jessie, who was a photographer and re- 
toucher, now the wife of Van D. Case, of 
Walton, and mother of one daughter; Jennie 
F., who resides with her father, and is a 
compositor on the Chronicle; Julia E., a 
teacher at Babylon, L.I., who is a graduate 
of the Walton schools and of the Oswego 
Normal School; and Mattie A., who is a 
stenographer, having received her instruction 
luider Graham in New York, N.Y. 

Mr. Lyon is a Chapter Mason and a stanch 
Republican. He has been Justice of the Ses- 
sion, and has held the office of Justice of the 
Peace for thirty years. In religion he is a 
conscientious Congregationalist, in which 
denomination he has ever been a faithful 
worshipper. He built his present dwelling 
in 1868, having previously disposed of two 
residences which had been built under his 
supervision. In this pleasant home Mr. Lyon 
now lives with his daughters, a much beloved 
father, and highly respected friend and citi- 
zen. Of greatest integrity and noble prin- 
ciples, he is a man whose friendship is jirized 
by all who are fortunate enough to be num- 
bered among his associates. 






(^TOIIN S. HOBBIl':, one of the leading 
dairymen of Bovina, was born on the 
26th of November, 1838. His pater- 
nal grandfather, Ebenezer Hobbie, was 
a native of Dutchess County, who came to 
Delaware County, and bought land near 
Bovina, the deed for which bears the date of 
1794. In those early days of the settlement 
the nearest market was Catskill, so a farmer's 
life was necessarily a hard one. The wife of 
Ebenezer Hobbie was Lydia Halt, and to 
them were born five children, all of whom are 
now dead. Grandfather Hobbie was a Bap- 
tist in religious faith and a Democrat in 
politics. 

Joshua of the second generation was also a 
farmer, and lived and died on the farm where 



he was born. He was a teacher and for many 
years a clerk of the district school, although 
these avocations did not interfere with his 
chief occupation, which was farming. He 
married Rliss Sally Reynolds of Bovina. 
Both were church members, though differing 
in creed, the husband being a Baptist, while 
she was in the conmiunion of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Their seven children, of 
whom six are now living, were the follow- 
ing: Orman E., a grocer in Illinois; .Selah 
R., a farmer in Nebraska; John S., of this 
memoir; Joshua K., on the old homestead: 
Addie, the wife of Mr. Byron Frisbee, of 
Delhi; Stephen, a resident of Kansas; and 
Augusta, who died on the threshold of maid- 
enhood, at the age of fourteen years. 

As a natural result of training and home 
environment John S. Hobbie followed in the 
footsteps of father and grandfather, and turned 
his attention toward practical farming and 
breeding dairy stock. As a youth he worked 
out for seven years, and, being of an economi- 
cal turn of mind, was able to save something 
each year from his paltry wages, which for the 
first year only amounted to a hundred dollars. 
In these days, when such labor brings a much 
greater reward, it seems almost incredible that 
the hard toil of twelve months should have 
brought an able-bodied adult man a sum so 
inadequate for the common needs of life. 
But self-denial and determination are strong 
forces; and in the year 1855 John S. Hobbie 
purchased a farm of two hundred and three 
acres of land, upon which he now resides. 

At twenty-five years of age he married Miss 
Emily J. Reynolds, a girl who did not dread 
the prospect of a life of honest labor and care, 
such as a woman who marries a working 
farmer must expect. Miss Reynolds was a 
daughter of Morris S. Reynolds, a farmer of 
Bovina. Both of her parents are dead. With 
the aid that wifely encouragement and sym- 
pathy brings, Mr. Hobbie has been able to 
steadily accumulate property about him, and 
to-day owns a very fine dairy, supplied by a 
herd of thirty sleek, well-kept cows, grade 
Jerseys. 

A comfortable residence was completed in 
1889, in which he now resides. The sweet 
influence and central figure of the home fire- 



niOORAI'HICAI, RKVIKW 



sitlc is lacking in tlic new abode, ho\\c\XT, 
Mrs. ITobbie having ilieii in 1881. Mr. Hob- 
ble has been faithful to the memory of the 
wife of his youth, and lives (|uietly with his 
twin daughters, who have liie charge of the 
affairs of the houseiiold. His only son, 
Charles W. Ilobbic, is a real estate dealei' 
in Ringhamton. 'I'he daughters, .Sarah and 
Mary, have done much tf) cheer and brighten 
their father's life since his bereavement, and 
ha\e displayed much i-\eeuti\'e abilit\' in their 
management of his domestic concerns. Mr. 
1-It)bbie devotes himself almost e\clusi\el\- to 
Iiis dairy, in which he takes |)leasurable pride, 
although he dt)es not neglect the duties ol 
citizen and neighbor. lie is atfiliated with 
the I'nited Presbyterian church, and holds 
Democrat it" |)rinciples. 




MUS PIIIXE.A.S WOOD, Postmaster 
at North Ilamden, N.V., receiwd the 
ba|)tismal names of his tun grancl- 
fathers, Amos Wood and Phineas 
llowland, the latter of whom was Captain of 
a militia company, and in his younger da\s 
was a famous siiortsman and an expert deer 
hmitt'r. Mr. Wood is a skilled mechanic, 
and an able and experienced farmer. He is a 
nati\-e-born citi/en of the town, and first 
opened his e}'es to the light on ( Jctolier K), 
1 84 1 . 

His father, Ira Pentield Wood, was born in 
Massachusetts in 1814. He lived there, how- 
ever, but a few months, his ]iarents, Amos 
and .So|)hia (Kilbouru) Wood, removing from 
the okl Bay State to this county in 1814, the 
vear following their marriage. He was a 
man of great mechanical genius, working in 
either iron or wood; and after his arrival in 
this countv he erected several saw and grist 
mills ahmg the rivt'r. but, though a verv 
industrious man. never accumulated much 
projierty. His wife died in 1843, somewhat 
past middle age; and In- survix'ed her but a 
few years. Of their six children, four daugh- 
ters and two sons, all grew to adult life, mar- 
ried, and reared families. One daughter, 
Pamelia, tin; widow of John Roff, resides in 
Washington, D.C.. being an active and intel- 
ligent woman of seventy-five years. 



Ira P. Wooti was married on the 1st of Jan- 
uary, 1834, to .Sally Howland. tlu' daughter of 
Cajitain Phineas Howland. an<l the grand- 
daughter of one (jershom Howland, who came 
to the town of Hamden from Rhotle Island, in 
1796. bringing with him liis wife and four 
sons — Joseph, Job, Phineas. and Gershom. 
These sons all married and reared children, 
many of whom are settled in this part of 
Delaware County. The Howland family ;ne 
lineallv descended Irom Henry Howland, who 
w;is one ot three brothers that were living 
in Plymouth, Mass., in 1625. The (jther 
brothers were .Arthur and John Howland, the 
hitter of whom crossed the ocean in the " .Ma_v- 
tlower "" in 1620. Henry Howland subse- 
i|uentl\' settled in Dnxbur_\'. Mass.. being one 
of the pioneers o( that |)lace. .After their 
marriage Ira P. Wood and his wife li\'ed one 
year in Delhi, then came to Ihmiden, where 
they bought a tract of wild land, fift)- acres, 
])aying for it one hundred and seventy dollars. 
This huid had been obtained from the <:ovcrn- 
ment ]))■ Mrs. W^iod's father the previous 
year, he having paid (uie dollai" and fifty cents 
per acre. Renting a small log house for 
tliree months, they proceeded to build a cabin 
ot their own. Having cut down the trees, 
Mr. Wood hewetl out the rafters himself, and 
ei'ected a comfortable house, consisting of two 
lixing-rooms and a bedroom. ^irs. Wood did 
many a baking in the old-fashioned tin o\-en, 
before a stump tire. 

In this log house were h<jrn liieir two chil- 
dren, Willard .Samuel and Amos Phineas, the 
latter being the subject of this sketch. The 
elder son was born in 1837, and was reared on 
the home tarm, receiving a better education 
than many of the pioneers' sons, attending 
the seniinar\' after leaving the district school, 
and began a i)rofessional career ;is a tejicher, 
following that vocation in New Jersey. .At 
the breaking out of the late Civil War, he 
enlisted in the I-"irst New Jersey N'olunteer 
Infantrv, going to the front as I'irst .Sergeant 
in Compan\' D. He was an active i)artici- 
pant in many engagements; and on May 11, 
1864, at the battle of .Sjiottsylvania. he was 
made prisoner. He was first confined at 
Dans\ille, and afterward taken to .Anderson- 
ville, and thence to Florence. S.C., where he 



252 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



died of starvation, leaving a widow, whose 
maiden name was Orpah Wilson. 

Amos P. Wood was reared to the occupiition 
of a farmer, and since he was old enough to 
assume the responsibility has had charge of 
the paternal homestead. He inherited in a 
large degree the mechanical ability of his 
father, who was equally competent to clean a 
clock or build a mill; and at the age of 
twenty-four years he learned of A. D. Bishop, 
at Decatur, Otsego County, the trade of a 
gunsmith, working for him a year. He 
opened his present shop in 1866. In addition 
to this handicraft, Mr. Wood also carries on 
general farming and dairying, making butter 
from his eighteen grade Jersey cows. His 
farm is well improved, and his buildings kept 
in good repair, everything about the premises 
indicating the careful supervision of an intel- 
ligent proprietor. In 1894 he built an exten- 
sion to his barn, which is now thirty feet by 
eighty feet, and in the basement has room for 
thirty cows and two or more horses. An in- 
valuable luxury of his farm is a spring of 
pure, cold water, which is carried to the house 
from a distance of seventeen rods. 

Mr. Wood was married in 1868 to Sally M. 
Howland, a cousin, and the daughter of Will- 
iam Howland. ■ Of this congenial union three 
children have been born, one of whom, Min- 
nie, a beautiful girl of thirteen years, died in 
1880. The living children are: Ira P., born 
July 16, 1877: and Ivlla Mabel, born August 
15, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are worthy 
and valued members of the Christian church, 
to which his parents also belonged. In poli- 
tics he follows in the footsteps of his father, 
and is a stanch supporter of the principles of 
the Republican party. 



fOIIN B. BONNEFOND, who was for 
some time a resident of the town of 
Hancock, was a native of France, hav- 
ing been born in that country, in the 
department of Saone and Loire. In his early 
manhood he was a popular restaurant-keeper 
in Paris; but on account of his Republican 
sentiments he fell under the displeasure of 
the government of Louis Philippe. He was 
repeatedly ^arrested and confined without a 



charge being made against him, although he 
constantly demanded to be brought to trial. 
In the revolutionary movement of May, 1839, 
he was one of the leaders of his party in 
Paris, at the barricades, where they fought 
and repeatedly repulsed the government 
troops; but, the barricades being taken, he 
was obliged to roam over the country in dis- 
guise, being kept in hiding by his comj^atriots 
until a passport could be obtained for him. 
This was secured by a friend who was high in 
office, and who gave him also a letter of 
recommendation to an old acquaintance in 
Chili. But, knowing Chili to be a republic 
in name only, when he arrived at Havre, and 
saw the stars and stripes, he said to himself, 
"I will go to the country which represents 
the government I wish to see established in 
my own." He took passage to New York 
City, leaving his wife and two children be- 
hind till he could make a home for them in 
the country of his adoption. He arrived in 
New York City, August 21, 1839. Declaring 
his intentions, he took out first papers, and 
became an American citizen in 1844. Meet- 
ing with an old friend, who owned thousands 
of acres in Hancock, and had established there 
the French colony known as French Woods, 
Mr. Bonnefond came to this place, and pur- 
chased one hundred and fifty acres of timbered 
land on the border of the beautiful Sands 
Pond, then in a state of wild beauty, where 
the deer roamed at will and all kinds of game 
and fish abounded. 

The wife of Mr. Bonnefond was Annette 
Marigny, of Cote d"Or, Burgundy. When 
her husband was obliged to flee the country 
and leave his extensive and lucrative restau- 
rant business in Paris, representing about ten 
thousand dollars, Mrs. Bonnefond was unable 
to save any of the property ; and it was con- 
fiscated by the government. She came to 
America with her daughter Octavia, leaving 
her son Octave at school in Paris, where he 
remained for two years, and, when eleven 
years old, followed his parents to their new 
home. 

John B. Bonnefond was an upright man of 
good education and pleasing address, and 
counted among his friends scmie of the best 
and most influential men in the county. In 



r 



niOORAIMIICAT, KKVIKW -'S,'. 

1848, after the revolution of that year, here- ami Hannah (Mason) Hunter, nl Colchester, 

turned to France to see if he could not re- Delaware County. Hannah Mason was a na- 

cover some of his i)roperty, hut was unable to tive of Hamden, Delaware County; and her 

do so, and received no recompense for his loss father was one of the pioneer settlers of Col- 

and suffering. On the outbreak of the -old Chester. Mr. and Mrs. Aristias H. l^onne- 

fever in 1849, he made his way overlaiul to fond are the parents of tive children : JMank, 

California, and was successful in findint; some born May 19, 1866; Helen, born March j;, 

-oil, which he is said to have sent home, hut 1869; Annette, born March 28, 1875: .Mar- 

which never reached its destination. He died .t;aret A., born January 6, 1879: .Alice, bcirn 

of fever in Au<;ust, 1849, and was buried in .September 29, 1881. l^ank married Kmily 

his cloak, far from his friends and family. Dirnier, daughter of John Dirnier, of Han- 

His wife survived him many years. Dur- cock: and they have three children - Mary 

ing the life of her husband, by the exercise Caroline. luigene, and George. Helen mar- 

of^her skill as a cook she had' done much to ried Arthur Denio, of Hancock, and has one 

assist him in the supix.rt of the family; and child, I^rnest. Aristias H. Honnefond has 

after his death she so ably managed her'affairs been well known in the affairs of the town, 

as to pay off the indebtedness on the home in among the offices he has held being Highway 

Hancock. Besides the children born in Commissioner, in which capacity he served 

l*"rance they had two sons born in America — four years. 
Aristias H.' and Francis. I-'rancis lionnefond, the youngest son of 

Octave, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Bonnefond, was born in the town 

lohn B. 'l^(mnefond, married. June 3. 1857, of Hancock, and was educated in the .schools 

Mary IC. Lakin, daughter of lonas Lakin, of of the French Woods district. When about 

Hancock. .She was' etlucated" in her native twenty years old, following the example of 

town of Hancock and in the Franklin Insti- most of the young men of the district, he 

tnte, and lived with her parents until her started to follow the river as a lumberman, 

marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Octave Bonnefond On November 19, 1879, he married ICllen G. 

had ten children: Kdgar B. : John B. : Ho- Thomas, daughter of Moses and Eunice 

ratio .Seymour; Leoni'e: I.ucien ; Louis and (Biggs) Thomas, of Hancock. Mr. Ihomas 

Louise, who were twins: and three who died was a native of Fremont. Sullivan County, 

in infancy. Leonie married S. M. Bouchoux. and now, with his wife, is enjoying a good 

a farmer 'in Hancock, and has three children <dd age on the farm he has occupied since 

— Seymour!., lohn Batiste, and Eugenie A. his marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Francis B(mne- 

Horatio Sevmour was killed bv a falling tree fond have three children: Montcelle, born 

in 1879. 'Louise lives at home with her November 19, 1880: June, born June 7, 1 885 : 

parents. Edgar B. married IClizabeth Miller. and ICthel. born July 3 i. 1889. He has been 

of Hancock, \nd has one child, a daughter Collector of Taxes, Excise C.mimissioner, 

Lena. John B. Bonnefond, son of OcUive, Constable, and Asses.sor for two terms. .M 



married 'jenny ^L liaxter, of Hancock. They and Mrs. Bonnefond are members of the 

have two children— lohn AL and Octavia L. Methodist Episcopal church at Harvard. 

Bonnefon.l. Octave" Bonnefond has been Octavia, the only daughter of John 15. 

prominent in town affairs, having for nine Bonnefond, was born in Pans, and accompa- 

vears served as Commissioner of Highwavs, nied her mother to this country. She was edu- 

bein- also ICxcise Conmiissioner. He is a cated in New York City and at Georgetown, 

Democrat. \>.C.. and married John Livingston, of Camp- 

Arist'ias H. Bonnefond was born March 16, viUe. Tioga County. N.V. He was an emi- 

1845, and received the education which the nent lawyer and writer, among his works 

farmers- sons of that time were able to obtain. being the ■■ Lawyer's Mimun] and " luninent 

I-;arly in life he started to follow the river as ^[en of America." a biographical work of 

a steersman and lumberman. July 4, 1864, large circulation. He died m March, 1893, 

he married Marv Hunter, daughter of Richard leaving seven children. 



254 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



The Bonnefond family have been important 
members of the community in which they 
have lived; and in the early days of the settle- 
ment, as well as in later years, their integ- 
rity, good judgment, and ability in the man- 
agement of affairs have been of great use to 
their fellow-townsmen. 




iHARLES GORSCH, a native of Neu- 
enburg, West Prussia, and the son of 
Ludwig Gorsch, whose wife was 
Florentine Dangers, came to Amer- 
ica in 1854, after a voyage of six weeks land- 
ing at New York, where he earned his living 
as a cabinet-maker. In 1857 he came to 
Andes, where he was employed by Mr. Will- 
iam Oliver, of that town, for three years. 
After that he came to Margarettville, and 
here purchased a lot, upon which from time to 
time, as his prospects enlarged and bright- 
ened, he erected buildings. During the Civil 
War of 1861-65 Mr. Gorsch joined the Union 
army, enlisting in Company B of the Nine- 
tieth Regiment, Nineteenth Corps, under 
Captain Lamb, serving during the campaign 
in the Shenandoah Valley, under General 
Sheridan, and took part with his regiment in 
that memorable battle of Cedar Creek. In 
1865 he returned to Margarettville, where he 
applied himself so assiduously to business 
that in ten years he was able to purchase the 
largest and oldest mercantile building in the 
village. 

Three years after coming here Mr. Gorsch 
was the accepted suitor of Miss Jennie Bailey, 
whom he married in 1868. Miss Bailey was 
one of the si.x children of John L. and Deb- 
orah (Bush) Bailey, of Margarettville. Seven 
children, a mystic number, completed the 
family circle of Charles and Jennie Gorsch, to 
whom were born six sons and one daughter. 
Charles, the first-born and bearer of his 
father's name, blessed the marriage of his 
parents on the 28th of November, 1869. He 
grew up and married Hattie Stinson, of Rox- 
bury, and has one child. He is an undertaker 
and furniture dealer in the town of Roxbury. 
Hugo, the second child, was born June 7, 
1 87 1. The third, Wilson, born September 
2]^ 1872, is employed in a large storehouse 



in New York. The others are: Nellie, who 
lives at home, and is unmarried; Marvin and 
Melvin, who are twins; and Arthur, whose 
birth date is the 27th of June, 1880. 

In politics Mr. Gorsch is a Republican. 
Though of foreign birth and training, he has 
thoroughly assimilated the American modes of 
thought and habit, and is entirely loyal to the 
ensign of the "stars and stripes." He has 
held several small offices, proving his own 
efficiency and his neighbors' judicious be- 
stowal of confidence. He is also a member of 
the Grand Army of the Republic. 



OSEPH S. McMURDY, a breeder of 
and dealer in Jersey cattle, who owns 
and occupies a fine farm on Glen Ben- 
nie, so called from a locality of the 
same name in Scotland, is a prosperous and 
industrious agriculturist, a most capable busi- 
ness man, and a citizen of high repute in the 
community where he has spent many years of 
his life. A native of the Empire State, he 
was born in the town of Kortright, October 
17, 1852; and that town was also the place 
of nativity of his father, William McMurdy. 
He is of excellent Scotch ancestry, his grand- 
father, George McMurdy, having been born 
and reared in Scotland, but, after reaching 
manhood, emigrated to this country, settling 
in Kortright at an early period, and clearing 
a homestead, on which he and his wife spent 
their remaining years. 

William McMurdy was one of seven chil- 
dren born to his parents, and, in common 
with the others, attended the district school, 
and assisted on the farm during his boyhood. 
When he was only sixteen years old, his father 
died, and from that time he and his elder 
brother worked early and late to assist their 
mother in her efforts to clothe and educate the 
younger children. William remained at home 
until his marriage, when he bought a farm 
near the paternal homestead, which he carried 
on for sixteen years. Selling that, he came 
to Delhi; and, purchasing the farm now 
owned by his son Joseph, of whom we write, 
he continued the improvements already insti- 
tuted, repairing the old buildings, and put- 
ting up new, and each year placing more of 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



the land in a tillable condition, lie exer- 
cised much judgment and skill in his opera- 
tions, and met with assured success in all of 
his undertakings. In 1890. having carneil a 
well-deserved rest, he sold his farm to his 
son, and is now spending his declining years 
with his children in the village, retired from 
active pursuits, and enjoying to the utmost 
his pleasant leisure. The maiden name of 
his wife, who departed this life .March ^r. 
18S3, in her si.\ty-eighth year, was Jennet 11. 
-Smith. -She was a nati\e of Delhi, where her 
parents spent their last years. .She bore her 
husband five children, the following being 
their record: Mary Ann, the wife of John .A. 
Hutson, of Delhi ; Sarah M., who married 
John M. Gorden, L'nder-sheriff of Delaware 
County; David B., a graduate of Princeton 
College, who is pastor of a Presbyterian 
church in Lynn. Mass.; Joseph .S. : and Will- 
iam S., who is a physician, and resitles in 
New York City. Both parents united with 
the First Presbyterian Church many \ears 
ago, and the father is now serving as Elder. 
He has attained the ripe age of eight\-fi\'e. 

The first year of the life of Joseph .S. .Mc- 
Murdy was spent on the Kortright farm, 
which his father then owned. Coming then 
to Delhi, he was here reared and educated, 
attending the district schools and Delaware 
Academy. He then spent some lime as a 
commercial traveller, but, not liking that 
work as a steady occupation, returned to the 
paternal homestead. He subsequently en- 
gaged in teaching for several seasons, meeting 
with excellent success, and also assisted his 
father in the management of the home farm. 
In 1890 he bought the entire property, con- 
sisting of one hundred and fifty-four acres of 
well-improved land, and is carrying on the 
work his father so successfuU}' inaugurated. 
The rich and fertile soil is well adapted to 
the raising of all the cereals common to this 
section of the State; and in addition thereto 
Mr. McMurdy breeds Jersey cattle, St. Ber- 
nard dogs, Berkshire hogs, and sheep. He is 
also a poultry fancier, breeding many varie- 
ties of land and water fowl. His dair\' con- 
tains twenty-two Jersey cows; and he makes a 
fine quality of butter, shipping it to New 
York. 



A most i)leasant step in tht- laieii ui mc 
subject of this sketch was his union with Mar- 
garet J. Middlemas, which was sokmni/ed 
in 1882. She is a native of Delhi, and a 
daughter of Thomas Mitldlemas, ai whom :i 
sketch may be lound on another page of this 
work. Into the happy household thus estab- 
lished three bright and active children 
Nellie J., Jennie D., and Harold - have 
made their advent. Mr. McMurdv takes an 
active ])art in evei\- enterprise tending lo pro- 
mote the welfare of his community. He is a 
zealous supporter of the princi|)les of the Re- 
publican ];)arty, and has filled several l<iwn 
offices. Fraternally, he is a member of the 
A. F. & .A. M., belonging to Delhi Lodge, 
No. 249. In his religious views he coincides 
i with the doctrines of the Presbyterian church, 
he and his wife being members of the l-"irst 
Presbyterian Church of Delhi. 



01 IX lllLSON, one of the most suc- 
cesslul business men of Bo\ina Cen- 
tre, was born in .Scotland, on Ma}' 25, 
1827, son of .Alexaiuler and Lli/.abeth 
(Nesbit) Ililson. His mother was a daughter 
of William Nesbit, who died in .Scotland at a 
very advanced age. Alexander Hilson was a 
plasterer by trade, and a member of the Pres- 
byterian church: and he lived to be sixty 
years old. His wife ivlizabeth outlived him, 
dying in her seventy-sixth year. .She was the 
mother of eight children, onl)' two of whom 
survi\-e, namely: Alexander Hilsoti, |r., a 
retired farmer, living in Scotland: and John 
Hilson, the subject of this sketch. 

John lived at home with his jiarents until 
his twenty-third year, being educated in Scot- 
land, and learning the plasterer's trade of his 
father. In 1850, at the age of twenty-three, 
he came to America, landing in New \'ork 
after a pleasant \-o\age of only thirty da\'s in 
a sailing-ship. He came directly to Delaware 
County, and settled in Bovina, where he fol- 
lowed his trade for more than four vears. In 
1855, the year after his marriage, Mr. Hilson 
bought a farm of a hundred acres, where he 
started a dairy, having fifteen cows to com- 
mence with, and increasing the number to 
twenty-five during his seventeen years of 



2s6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



larminj;. lie has owned three different farms 
in liovina, and now has a splendid one of two 
hundred and six acres, besides his residence 
in Bovina Centre. 

In 1854 he married Hannah S. Hamilton, a 
daughter of Robert Hamilton, one of Bovina"s 
hardy pioneers. He started a large general 
store in 1867; and, before retiring from busi- 
ness, in 1889, to return to Scotland for a 
summer's visit, he had built up a very good 
trade. Since his return Mr. Hilson has spec- 
ulated somewhat in butter, but has engaged 
in no active work, leaving his son Alexander 
to take charge of the - store, in partnership 
with Mr. Blair. Alexander Hilson, born in 
1855, is the only child of his parents. He 
was married in 1880 to Isabell Archibald; 
and they have two children, John and Jane 
Hilson, born in 1881 and 1885. 

John Hilson has a large circle of friends, 
he and his wife being members of the United 
Presbyterian church, wherein he has held the 
position of Trustee for a number of years. 
He has also been Town Clerk ten years, and 
County Superintendent of the Poor three 
years, and now holds the office of Notary Pub- 
lic. The Hilsons have always been identified 
with the interests of the town, and are es- 
teemed by all who know them. Well has it 
been said by a poetic philosopher of our own 
day, Dr. J. G. Holland: — 

"God gives every bird its food, but he does 
not throw it into the nest. He iloes not un- 
earth the good that the earth contains; but he 
]nits it in our way, and gives us the means of 
getting it ourselves." 




()B1-:RT north, Sk., was b(jrn at 
Newton, L.I., January 5, 1759, ^^^ 
married to Elizabeth Carter in 
1783, and in 1785 emigrated to 
Walton, where he cleared the farm upon 
which he lived for more than half a century. 
He held the office of Town Clerk for about 
forty years, and, being also elected Supervisor 
and Surrogate of the county, ably discharged 
his trusts until failing health compelled his 
retirement from public life. Always inter- 
ested in and supporting the religious growth 
of the town, he was in 1830 one of the organ- 



izers of the Episcopal church in Walton, for 
several years its .Senior Warden, and an exem- 
plary communicant until his death. 

Elizabeth Carter, whom he married, was a 
typical woman of the Revolutionary times. 
Possessing great strength of character, an 
energetic will, and many social attractions, 
she was in every sense the helpmate of her 
husband, bearing with him every burden, 
encouraging every effort, and sharing all his 
pleasures. .She was the mother of eight chil- 
dren, one of whom died in infancy, five in 
early manhood and womanhood, and only two 
of whom survived her. 

Benjamin, her eldest-born, married Eleanor 
Heath, and ^vas the father of Colonel Samuel 
North, whose home was at Unadilla, N.Y., 
where he died on September 15, 1894. 
Samuel, the second son, born P'ebruary 9, 
1787, the first child born in the new settle- 
ment, lived with his parents until the age of 
fourteen, when he accompanied his father to 
Albany, and was apprenticed to Solomon 
Smithwick in the office of the Albany Re^is- 
U-r, to learn the trade of a printer. Acquir- 
ing by industry and perseverance a fair educa- 
tion, he became after several years a student 
of law in the office of Elijah Thomas, Esq., 
a gentleman whose example alone was suffi- 
cient to inspire a young man with the purest 
and noblest ambition. On the mind of the 
student so fair an example produced all the 
effect his best friends could wish, and his 
zeal to acquire knowledge was only equalled 
by his success in the acquisition. In the 
May term of 18 10, he was admitted as an 
attorney in the Supreme Court, and began the 
practice of law in the city of Albany under 
the most favorable auspices. In the follow- 
ing winter he was appointed Clerk in the 
House of Assembly, and filled the office hon- 
orably. He was considered a young man of 
superior talent, and his friends predicted for 
him a brilliant career; but about this ]ieriod 
his health began to decline, and a year or two 
later he returned home, where he died of con- 
sumption, January 16, 1813. 

His death was followed seven years later by 
that of his brother Cyrus, who was born on 
December 22, 1793. Although afflicted with 
blindnes.s, having lost his eyesight when only 




Robert North, Jr. 




Mrs Mary P. North. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



2f>\ 



two years old, he grow ti) manhood with rare 
intelligence and a most attractive character. 
He was a lover of books, music, and every- 
thing that tended toward refined culture. To 
him perhaps as much as to any other was (hie 
that love of literary jiursuils that marked an 
early era in Walton societ\-, and sent out in- 
telligent men and wcnnen to dist in^;uisli 
themselves in broader fields. 

Sarah North was hoin on September 29, 
1805, and dieil on l'"ebruary _'4, 1829. Han- 
nah, born March 17, 1803, died January 4, 
1836. Elizabeth, born November 29, 1800, 
died August 16, 1830. Mary N. 15artlett, 
eldest daughter of Robert and I'.lizabeth 
North, and wife of the lion. Henry !•;. Hart- 
iett, was born June 20, 1796, and died 
October 15, 1870. Her first husband was 
Roswell Wright, of Unadilla, by whom she 
had two children, namely: Henry, born Sep- 
tember 30, 1821; and iClizabeth, born July 
10, 1823, who married Benjamin R. Roljson, 
and died at Litchfield, Conn., August i, 
1S47, leaving one child, Benjamin W., now 
living in Portland, Ore. Henry married 
Caroline A. Austin, of Otego, N.Y., who 
died January g, 1856, leaving two children: 
George A., well known as a civil engineer: 
and Mary, wife of the Hon. A. H. .Sewell, 
Judge and Surrogate of Delaware County. 

During the whole period of the life of 
Robert North his character and course were 
entirely above reproach, his excellence of 
heart and breadth of intelligence securing 
the respect and esteem of the community 
that grew up around him. Dignity, cour- 
tesy, and philanthropic feeling distinguished 
him as a man; earnestness, sincerity, and 
devotion, as a Christian. 



Tr^VOliERT NORTH, Ji<., was born on 

INv' April 7, 1792, in Walton, N.V., on 

JLbV^^ the paternal farm, to whose posses 

sion he succeeded, and wliere he 

his whole life. He inherited the 

; principles, traditions, and faitii of 

his ancestor-s, antl, spending the iirime of 

life in active, useful labors, enjoyed in old 

age well-earned repose and tranquillity. He 

engaged for a time in mercantile business, 



passed 
sterliiu 



was appointed Deputy Sheriff, ami filled sev- 
eral other positions of trust. Interested in 
pcditical and social subjects, and entering 
warmly into the discussions of the day, he- 
was an ardent admirer of Clay and Webster, 
and the personal friend of i^rastiis Root and 
Aaron Clark, i)oth members of the old Whig 
party. Not easily swayed by [)opular favor, 
he was strong in his partisanship and fear- 
less in defending his principles. Born amid 
primeval forest grandeur, this indej)endence 
and freeck)m of soul was doubtless fostered by 
his contact with the wildness and stern beauty 
ol nature, whose infiuence was felt in his 
moral and religious development. 

With his father, he was one of the founders 
of the ICpiscopal church in Walton, ratifying 
his baptismal vows at the first visitation of 
Bishop Onderdonk, and continuing in dutiful 

, and loving service until the close'of his life. 

j Having been chosen to succeed his father in 
the office of Senior Warden, he was rr- 
elected through many successive years, until 

1 bodily infirmities impelled him 'to seek a 
release. As in other departments of thought 
h(' reined in any e.vtravagance of sentiment. 
so in the domain of religion he aimed to blend 
and soften the contrasting shades of feeling 
into one haniKmious whole. He died August 
15, 1873, age<l eighty-one years. His wife 

I Mary, to whom he was married on the 6th of 

1 September, 1820, was the daughter of Joshua 
I'ineand Margaret Remsen. and sister of the 
late Joshua Pine, Jr. She was born in Wal- 
ton on I'^ebruary 15, 1797, educated at the ohi 
Kingston Academy, Kingston, N.^'.. and was 
a refined, intelligent woman. Having jiassed 
most of her life in Walton, she was interested 
in its growth and improvement, and was well 
versed in its early history. She lived to the 
age of eighty-four, and died on blaster morn- 
ing, April 17, 1 88 I. 

Her children were Joshua I'., born Xovem- 
berii, 1821: Robert Bruce: Margaret; Mary: 
Cieorge; Saiah: Mmma; and Martha. foshiia 
died December 4, 1827, aged si.x years; Rob- 
ert Bruce, in the |)rime of manhood, Novem- 
ber 14, 1865; Martha, while yet an infant, 
October 10, 1845: and l-jrima. on July 23, 
I 88 I. Margaret, Mary, and Sarah are living 
on the old North homestead, where the an- 



262 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



cicnt humble structarc has given place to a 
modern dwelling. The surrounding lands are 
the same that have been in possession of their 
family for more than a century; but a portion 
of their farm has been surrendered to the 
growth of the village, and is the site of hand- 
some dwelling-houses. George North has 
been a resident of California since 1852, and 
has a home in Winters, Yolo County. He 
married in January, 1867, Jennie E., daugh- 
ter of Thomas Hart Hyatt, of Lockport, 
N.Y., and has had five children, only three 
of whom are living: Robert H., born Decem- 
ber II, 1867, died April 15, 1868: George 
B., born June 24, 1869, died December 9, 
1876; Hart H., born July 12, 1871, is prac- 
tising law in San Francisco with the promise 
of a successful career: Maude I.., the only 
daughter, was born October 15, 1872: the 
youngest son, Arthur Walbridge, born Octo- 
ber 26, 1874, is a student in Berkeley Uni- 
versity, California. 

The accom])anying portraits of Robert 
North, Jr., and his wife, Marv Pine North, 
are of unusual interest. Of such as they was 
it said of old, "There be some who have left 
a name behind them, whose remembrance is 
sweet as honey in all mouths." 



d^' 



ABRIHL AM. ROBERT NORTH, 
% •) I brothers, were at the beginning of 
^ — ^ the War of the Revolution living in 
the i)lace of their nativity, Newtown, L.I. 
Descended from an honorable line of English 
ancestry, they both enlisted in the Conti- 
nental service, and gave up homes and prop- 
erty to join in the struggle for American 
independence. After the close of the war 
they lived for a time in New Canaan, Conn., 
where they married sisters, Deborah and 
Elizabeth Carter, daughters of Captain Eben- 
ezer Carter of that town, and in 1786 moved 
with their families to the valley of the Co- 
quago, or western branch of the Delaware 
River. 

Taking up their abode upon what was 
known as the Walton Patent, they gave this 
name to the new settlement, and were honored 
members of the little band who founded the 
village of Walton. The difficulties of trans- 



portation were great in those days, and many 
are the stories recorded of hardship and peril 
during the earlier years of this frontier life. 
The five original settlers — Townsend, Pine, 
Furman, and the Norths — were connected by 
family ties as well as those of friendshi|), 
and were all men of more than ordinary char- 
acter and intelligence, bringing with them 
the unshrinking courage, patience, and ad- 
venturous s])irit transmitted by the New Eng- 
land Pilgrims to their descendants. They 
with their wives and infant children endured 
many privations, and underwent many thrill- 
ing experiences. 

The settlement grew, and was organized 
into a town in 1789. Gabriel North and his 
brother purchased adjoining farms, built 
houses, and reared families, who, growing up 
in friendly intimacy with others of their gen- 
eration, formed the nucleus of an intelligent 
and prosperous community. The following- 
letter, written during the first year of this 
wilderness life, will show what had been ac- 
complished toward the establishment of future 
homes : — 

•■Walton. Xovember 14. 17S5. 
'■ Dear Brother : 

"I am happy to welcome this opportunity 
to write, it being the first I have had since 
we came down in this wilderness. I would 
impose on you we arc all in perfect health, for 

which blessing I • to be truly thankful. 

and hope this may find you and yours enjoy- 
ing the same; would inform vou I have built 
a house, and ha\'e a grand winter store laid 
in. I have a very pleasant situation on the 
site of Pine Hill; the Delaware River runs 
immediatelv on the south side of my house. 
I think I have laid a foundation for all the 
happiness this world can afford. It has been 
very expensive moving to this new country, 
and expensive ant! difficult getting provision. 
However, I hope the worst is over. We have 
got four acres of wheat, half an acre of rye, 
and one of timothy sown. I think I could 
write you a long story about the beauties of 
this place, wild and romantic, — fish in great 
abundance, the finest trout ever was, and 
pigeons in countless numbers. I keep little 
Joe to drive them from the grain after sowing, 
but he could scarcely scare them off. Elk and 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



j6.^ 



(leer are very plenty. I saw lourteeii elk in 
the river a few rods l)el()\v my house at one 
time. Wolves are very plent)' all around us, 
ami would frequenth' eome u[) to olu' door anil 
around our tents. At niyht all had to slee]i 
with our ehildrt.-n between us to prevent them 
being carried off. But Prince, king of dogs, 
has killed three of them; and the rest have 
become more shy. I'rince went out one ila\- 
alone on Tine Hill, and brought home a beau- 
tiful fawn in his mouth, that he had killed. 
The meat was very fine and cpiite welcome. 
We have a variety of wild ap|)les. and man- 
drakes \ery plentv in the woods, and every 
kind of wild berries, etc. 

" Vou say that my friends have e.\]iected 
letters from me. I am sorry to disappoint 
them. Tell them I am pcrfi'ctly satisfied 
with my situation, and find the country much 
better than I expected. We expect a number 
of settlers out in the spring. We shall be 
glad to see them, although we are quite ha])]:))-. 
Brother Robert or I will go to New York in 
the spring, antl then will give )ou all the ])ar- 
ticulars of our emigration to the West. 

"Be pleaseil to give my best lo\e to all my 
friends. That you may be hajijjy under every 
circumstance of life is ever the one wish of 
your loving brother. 

■■(jAnKii'.r Xniviii." 

'I'd Mr. r.i;N lAMlN NiilMii. Now Noik. , 

Gabriel, the writer of this letter, filled 
many town offices, and became Judge of the 
Court of Common Pleas in his county, which 
he also twice represented in the House of 
Assembly at y\lbany. He was also a member 
of the Electoral College that in 1816 gave 
the vote of New York for Presiilent and \'ice- 
I'resident of the Union. He was a man of 
ability, genial and social in his nature, honor- 
able and u]5right in character, and a sincere 
Christian. He died in 1S27 in the sevent}-- 
first year of his age. His wife died in 1837, 
and only one out of se\'en chihh'en survived 
her. 

The names of the children of Judge Gabriel 
and Deborah North were Hannah, Deborah, 
Mary, Gabriel, Jr., Benjamin, I-'meline, and 
John. Hannah married Lewis Seymour, and 
died in 1802, leaving one son, William N. 



.Seymour, who died at Brooklyn in i8,Sr. 
Deborah married Caleb Benedict, and ha<l 
seven children, only two of whom are now 
living, namely: Hannah N., wife of William 
v.. White, and mother of John N., ICdwin. 
and Charles White; and Charles Benedict, 
residing in New Canaan, Conn. (;;d)riel, Jr., 
marrietl Nancy Townsend, and had five chil- 
dren -Maria,' Matilda, William, (iabriel .S., 
and llannali. 0\' these Gabriel S. North, of 
Binghamton, ^'.^■., is sole survivor. Benja- 
min married Hannah Carter. John tlied 
unmarried. 



§OSlirA PINK, Jk., bearing the name 
of his father and grandfather, was born 
ill Walton, November 5, i 79S, and was 
in many res])ects a remarkable man. 
Although reared in the (juiel round of farm 
life, his ;d)ilities were such that he might 
have won distinction in almost any profession, 
had he so chosen. He was one of the most 
intelligent men in this section, and few had a 
more comi)rehensive grasj) of .State and na- 
tional affairs than he. He was also tiie ac- 
knowledged historical auth.ority of the town, 
his marvellous memory being a rich store- 
house of information. When Ja\' Gould com- 
piled his history of Delaware County, he 
obtained many of his facts from Mr. Pine. 
In affairs of local ini])ortance he took a lively 
interest, being the jiromoter of the first pub- 
lic library in Walton, and also of the old 
militia conqvany, from which he received the 
title of Ca])tain. In educational matters 
he was tlee]d_\- interested, taking advanced 
ground in all matters ])ertaining to the jiublic 
schools. He was an easv and tiioroughlv in- 
teresting writer, and contributed frequentlv to 
the l(K-al ])ress on sid)jects relating to the 
early settlement of the town. He was not, 
however, one of those who live only in the 
past, but, with advancing years, kept up with 
the spirit ot the age, being always young in 
his sympathies, and in every relation of life 
ujiright and kindly. 

His ancestor, John Pine, came from Devon- 
shire, Kngland. aliout the year 1640, and set- 
tled at Hem])stead, L.I. He had one son. 
James, who married and reared a son James, 



264 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



whose son John married a young woman of 
Welsh descent, named Freelove Carmen. 
They had ten children, one of whom, Joshua, 
married Sarah DeMilt, of New York City, in 
the year 1750. They lived in Hempstead 
until some time during the Revolutionary 
War, when they were driven from their home 
by the British soldiers, who took possession 
of their house, and wantonly destroyed its 
contents. 

In 1785 Joshua Pine and his wife Sarah 
came to Walton, and were included in the five 
families who formed its first settlement. 
Four of their children had died in infancy, 
and one in his early manhood. The remain- 
ing five — John, Mary, Joshua, Sarah, and 
Daniel — came with them. On arriving at 
the settlement they found less land than had 
been anticipated, and consequently settled 
farther down the river, at what is now known 
as Pinesville. Here Joshua Pine, the elder, 
bought a large tract of land, which he after- 
ward divided among his sons, John, Joshua, 
and Daniel, who settled upon it. John mar- 
ried in 1781, but had no children. Daniel 
married Rachel Robinson, and they had nine 
children. He built the house now owned by 
Edmund More; and three of his grandsons, 
John, Thomas, and Peter Pine, are living in 
Walton at the present time. 

Joshua Pine, second, married Margaret 
Remsen, of Newtown, L.I., in 179S; and 
they had seven children — Mary, Joshua, 
George W., Charles, Sarah, Alfred, and Mar- 
garet, the latter of whom is now living, at the 
age of eighty-five years, in Detroit, Mich., 
the last survivor of her family. The second 
Joshua built the house long known as the Pine 
homestead, almost the counterpart, it is said, 
of the old North home at Newtown. He en- 
gaged largely in business, as a dealer in both 
lumber and merchandise, going frequently to 
Philadelphia, and having an extensive ac- 
quaintance throughout the country. He also 
filled the office of Judge in the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas, and was considered a man of more 
than ordinary integrity and business ability. 
His death occurred in rSiS, at the age of 
fifty-seven years: and he was succeeded in his 
home by his son, Joshua Pine, Jr., the subject 
of this sketch. The latter never married; 



and at his death, in 1888, the property was 
sold, and the old Pine homestead passed out 
of the family. 



(g>rNDREW J. THOMSON, a progressive 
p\ young farmer of Roxbury, N.Y.. is a 

/jl \ grandson of John Thomson, who 

^~^ came from Scotland in 1820, with 
his wife and two children, to seek a new home 
in Western wilds. After a voyage of seven 
weeks and four days they landed in New 
York, and thence proceeded up the Hudson 
on a sloop to Catskill, and from there came in 
a wagon to Bovina, Delaware County. After 
staying a few weeks with a brother who had 
been in the country twenty years, Mr. Thom- 
son put up a log cabin about two rods from 
where the present house stands. He had pre- 
viously been fully bent on going to Ohio, and 
he afterward thought his decision to stay here 
was providential. It was all a wilderness two 
miles down the valley, more than that to the 
east, and one mile and a half to the west. 
An Indian and his wife and grand-daughter 
lived there during the winter in a cabin they 
had built in the woods, and made baskets. A 
spring near the head of the little brook on the 
farm was much frequented by deer, and men 
would come here with their guns and wait for 
them. Finding the log cabin a convenient 
resting-place, they named it the "Hunter's 
Retreat." 

During the first year Mr. Thomson used to 
bring flour and other things for his family on 
his shoulders four miles. Having good water- 
power on his land, he built a mill, which was 
of great use to him for threshing, grinding 
provender, and sawing wood. On this pioneer 
farm Mr. Thomson and his wife, Marion 
Boyle Thomson, settled down to hard work. 
The)' had a daughter Janet, born October 28, 
18 1 5, and a son James, born November 26, 
18 1 8. Later two more sons were added to 
the family: Andrew Y., born May 26, 1822; 
and John B., March 17, 1824. Janet after- 
ward married Robert McFarland, of Bovina. 
The three sons grew up manly and helpful; 
and in time what had been a dark, wooded 
wilderness became a broad tract of smiling 
farm land, open to the sun and teeming with 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



26; 



the fruits of the soil. Thus down to ripe oUI 
age lived John Thomson and his wife Marion. 

After the death of his father, James H. 
Thomson took possession of the farm, and 
earried it on in the same wide-awat;e, progres- 
sive manner. Me hronglit the remainder of 
the hind under cultivation, and, building 
large, room\- barns, filled them with good 
stock. As the years went on, his dairy be- 
came noted ; for he turned the water supply 
to a good purpose in driving churns, as well 
as in sawing wt)od, and opened a good, sub- 
stantial source of income thereby. ICarly in 
life he planted a profusion of shade-trees 
about the grounds, and now these have grown 
so luxuriantly that they make the place very 
beautiful. Here Mr. Thomson lives a life of 
quiet retirement. He is fond of reading, and 
has added to his early learning, which was 
very limited, schools not being established 
here till 1S33, such a fund of valuable infor- 
mation that he is widely known as a "well- 
read man." He is a leading Prohibitionist, 
and highl\- respected by all who know him. 
Mr. Thomson's wife, Jane Amos, whom he 
married in January, 1856, was, like himself, 
born in Scotland. Her parents. William and 
Margaret (Sinclair) y\mos, came to this coun- 
try in 1830, when Jane was two years (dd, 
and settled at Cabin Hill in the town of 
.A^ndes on a farm now ownetl by their son, 
William Amos, Jr. .Seven of the eight chil- 
dren of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Thonrson are 
now living, namely: John .A., a minister at 
-Sjirakers, on the Mohawk, is now married, 
and has three children. William .S. has no 
children living. Jacob N. married Mary IC. 
Scott, also Scotch. They live on an adjoin- 
ing farm, and have two children, one having 
died. .\mos W. is a physician, practising 
his profession at .Saratoga. Margaret Janet 
dii-d young. Annie married Thomas Aichi- 
bald, and lives in Hovina. She had three 
children, but one of these died. Marion lives 
at home. 

The other son is Andrew J. Thomson, who 
was born November 26, 1864, and received 
his education at the district school. When 
he came of age, he bought his farm from his 
father, and has continued and enlarged the 
dairy business. He keeps twenty-five fine 



Jersey milch cows, and these siippi\ tne 
cream foi' a tine grade (if choice butter. 
There are also twenty-five sheep on the i)lace, 
besides horses. ICverything about the estate 
is kept in i)erfect order, and the whole farm 
is in a flourishing condition. Mr. Thomson 
married Nettie C. Hewitt, the only daughter 
of John 15. and Marion Hewitt. John Hewitt 
was a successful farmer of New Kingston. 
His first wife died; and he married the second 
time, and had two children — Leola and How- 
ard. Mr. Hewitt died September 17, 18S7. 
Mr. and Mrs. Thomson have a little child. 



born M; 



1891, Milton A. In reli^ 



the Thomson family are L'nited I'resbyterians. 




ri'R VOL'XG, who owns and (occu- 
pies a valuable estate of three hun- 
(£) (bed and eighty-siv acres, finely 
located in District No. i of the 
town of Hamden, is one of the most energetic, 
self-reliant, and successful farmers of this 
section of Delaware County. He is a Scotch- 
man by birth and parentage, and first opened 
his eyes to the light in Roxburghshire. .Scot- 
land, in 1854. 

His father, Tiiomas Young, was born in 
Dalkeith, Scotland, in 181 i, and died in the 
town of Hamden, N.Y., in 1887. He was a 
teamster by occujiation while in his native 
country, where more than one-half of his 
long life was ])assed. He was twice married, 
and leared a family of nine children, eight 
sons and one daughter. His first wife, the 
mother of Peter, his second son, was Margaret 
Simington, who died in Scotland, at the age 
of fiftv years, leaving four sons and one 
daughter. The remaining children (jf tin- 
first marriage may lure lie thus briefly men- 
tioned: Robert, who has never left the coun- 
try of his birth, is a policeman in .Scotland, 
ha\ing l)een on the force se\'en years. Will- 
iam, who studied law with the late Judge Glea- 
son, of Delhi, is one of th(^- lights of the legal 
profession in Den\er, Col. Jane, the onlv 
daughter, is the wife of Isaac Miller, of Pe- 
]iacton, N.Y. The father emigrated to Amer- 
ica in 1868, bringing with him all of his famil\' 
with the exception of his oldest son. and was 
thereafter a respected resident of this county. 



266 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Peter was but a lad of fourteen when he be- 
came a resident of this vicinity, and from that 
time until he was married and had a home of 
his own he worked out by the month. Ht- 
was strongly imbued with the true Scotch 
spirit of industry, frugality, and thrift, so 
that, with the exercise of a wise discretion in 
monetary matters, he was enabled to save a 
part of his yearly wages, which never exceeded 
three hundred dollars. Mr. Young's first 
purchase of land consisted of two hundred and 
eighty acres lying about two miles from 
Delhi, for which, including thirty cows, he 
paid seven thousand dollars, running into debt 
five thousand five hundred dollars. He 
labored hard, and economized; and four years 
later, in 1888, he sold that farm, and bought 
his present property, paying ten thousand two 
hundred and fifty dollars, partly in cash, and 
giving a mortgage for the remaining seven 
thousand five hundred dollars. His place in 
all of its appointments indicates the super- 
vision of a thorough farmer and business man, 
and is one of the attractive homesteads in this 
vicinity. In addition to mixed husbandry, 
Mr. Young directs much of his attention to 
dairying, keeping from sixty-seven to seventy 
head of dehorned milkers, mostly graded Jer- 
seys, and ships his milk to New York City. 
He has five horses and a fine flock of Shrop- 
shire sheep, and in the rearing of stock he has 
excellent success. 

On the 25th of September, 1883, Mr. 
Young was united in marriage to Anna L. 
Halstead, of Ulster County, the daughter of 
Marcus and Maria (Hill) Halstead, both of 
whom passed to the higher life in middle age. 
They were the parents of four children, three 
of them being girls. 'J"he harmonious and 
])leasant wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Young 
has been brightened by the birth of three 
children, one of whom, a little daughter, died 
while in the innocence and purity of infancy. 
Two bright and wide-awake boys remain to 
them, namely: James H., ten years old; and 
Robert B., four years of age. Mr. Young and 
his sons all celebrate their birthdays in the 
same month, each having entered this world 
in July. In politics Mr. Young casts his 
vote in support of the principles of the Re- 
publican party. Religiously, he and his 



excellent wife are members of the First Pres- 
byterian Church, wherein he is an honored 
Elder. He has been prominently identified 
with the agricultural and business interests of 
Hamden ever since his residence in the town, 
and is greatly esteemed among his neighbors 
and acquaintances. 



-fg)T ECTOR COWAN, who died on July 

L^-l 4, 1878, at his home in the town of 

II 9 I .Stamford, N.Y., where he was an 

^"^ influential and valued citizen, was 

born here on October 2, 1824. His father, 

John Cowan, was a Scotchman, born in the 

old country on June 4, 1798; and his mother, 

Helen Grant Cowan, was born two years later, 

September 15, 1800, in Stamford. 

John Cowan's father, whose name was Hec- 
tor, came to America with his wife at the 
beginning of the century, while John was 
only two years old, and settled in Stamford, 
on what is now known as the old Cowan 
farm, which he reclaimed from the wilder- 
ness, building a frame house, wherein he re- 
sided till his death, at ninety-three years of 
age, in 1843. The children of the emigrant 
Hector were as follows: James Cowan, born 
June 29, 1794; William, on Augu.st 3, 1796; 
John, in 1798; Isabella, on June 14, 1800 — 
all before the emigration. Afterward, in 
Stamford, came Mary, March 12, 1803: 
Agnes, July i, 1805; Andrew, December 13, 
1808. Grandfather Cowan was an Elder in 
the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church 
in South Kortright. Politically, he was a 
Whig. He lost his wife when she was sixty 
years old, nearlv thirty years before his own 
demise. 

John Cowan grew up on his father's farm, 
and attended the district school, his educa- 
tional opportunities being, however, very 
meagre. In the course of years he purchased 
the homestead from the other heirs, and added 
thereto so largely that finally he owned six 
hundred acres, and stood at the head of the 
agriculturists of this neighborhood. Not only 
was he his father's successor as a farmer, but 
as an Elder in the Kortright Parish. His 
marriage to Helen Grant took place on New 
Year's Day, 1824; and Grandfather Hector 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



2r,7 



Cowan was greatly pleased the next aiitunin, 
when they named their first child after him, 
Hector. On September 18, 1826, came a 
sister, Ann Eliza, and on December 11, 1830, 
another sister, Marietta; but all three have 
joined '"the innumerable caravan," Ann I-'liza 
on February 21, 1843, the same year with her 
grandfather, as above mentioned. Hector 
died in 1878, and Marietta in April, 1S93. 

Young Hector went to the local school, like 
his father before him, and likewise worked on 
the home farm, devoting himself wholly to 
agriculture. In 1851, November 5, at the 
age of twenty-se\en. Hector Cowan married 
Helena Jane Rich, who was born on the Rich 
family homestead at South Kortright, the 
daughter of James and Helena (Marshall) 
Rich; and more particulars concerning her 
family may be found in the sketch in this vol- 
ume of Mrs. Sarah Rich. Like his [irogen- 
itors, Mr. Cowan took an active part in church 
affairs, and succeeded them as an office-bearer, 
holding the position of Ruling Elder. As 
they had been Whigs, so was he in senti- 
ment, and cast his first vote for Taylor and 
Fillmore; hut a few years later the Republi- 
can party arose, and he at once joined its fort- 
unes. He was also influential in town affairs. 
At his death he left a widow and eleven chil- 
dren, eight of whom are still li\ing. 

The eldest of these, John A. Cowan, born 
ill 1854, is a Stamford farmer and an IClder in 
the Presbyterian church uf Hobart. Helena 
Cowan, born in 1856, married Dr. I~. H. Mc- 
Naught, of Denver, Col. Uf James Rich 
Cowan more will be said presently. Robert 
F. Cowan, born in i860, is a Stamford 
farmer. Hector William Cowan, born in 
1862, amid our Civil War, and named for his 
father and great-grandfather, is a Presbyterian 
clergyman in Lawrence, Kan. Henry Mar- 
shall Cowan, born in 1864, resides on the an- 
cestral acres. Charles Cowan was born in 
1868, and lives in Stamford, unmarried; and 
so does Frank R. Cowan, born in 1870. The 
children no longer living in this world are: 
Thomas Rich Cowan, who died at the age of 
twelve; Stephen, at seven: Annie, at "four. 
Since the death of their father the large farm 
has been carried on by his widow, who 
owns it. 



Of course she is aided by her efficient sons, 
but is herself a very capable manager, as well 
as a bright and intelligent woman. She is 
especially proud of her son, the Hon. James 
Rich Cowan, who bears her own family name. 

The Hon. James R. Cowan was b(;rii on 
May 22, 1858. He was educated in the local 
school, like two generations of his ancestors, 
and then went to Stamford .Seminary. He 
lived at home till his majority, and did not 
give up farming till the year 1891, having six 
hundred acres under his control. Like other 
farmers in this region, he gave special atten- 
tion to cattle, having from seventy-five to one 
hundred. In politics he has been active, 
being commissioned a Justice of Peace. In 
1889 he was made Town Supervisor by the 
Republican party, holding the place three 
years, and acting as chairman of the board the 
latter part of the time. In 1891 he was 
elected to the .State Assembly, and served a 
term at Albany. The same year he was 
chosen President of the National Rank of 
Hobart, which has a capital of fifty thousand 
dollars; and this place he still fills, the Vice- 
President being Oscar I. Rennett. and the 
Cashier J. A. Scott. Mr. Cowan is still un- 
married, and gives his main time and atten- 
tion to finance. In religion, as well as 
l)olitics, he retreads the inherited footsteps, 
and is a member of the I'nited Presbyterian 
church in .South Kortright. The Cowan home- 
stead is a noble old place, the house standing 
amid fertile fields not far from the village of 
Hobart. 




LON/O A. HAVERLV, miller and 
lumberman, is carrying on an exten- 
sive business in the town of Wal- 
ton, his mills being located near 
the corporatiun line. He made his appear- 
ance on this muiulane sjjhere in the year 1840. 
in Middleburg. Schoharie County, that town 
being likewise the native place of his father, 
Jacob Havcrly. whose birth occurred in 1809. 
Jacob was a son of Christopher Haverly. who 
was born in Rerne, Albany Countv, in 1783. 
Christopher Haverly married a ?ktiss Haugh- 
strauser, who was of High Dutch ancestry; 
and they became pioneer settlers of Schoharie 



268 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



County, taking up a tract of wild land in the 
town of Middleburg, where they not only 
improved a fine homestead, but by toilsome 
labor, frugal economy, and wise management 
accumulated property valued at some twenty 
thousand dollars. Life's labors over, their 
bodies were laid to rest in the family grave- 
yard, on the farm which they cleared from the 
forest. They reared five sons and five daugh- 
ters, Jacob being the eldest child. 

Jacob Haverly was reared to farming indus- 
tries, and after his marriage, which was cele- 
brated in 1832, he being then united to 
Catherine, daughter of David G. and Mar- 
garet (Nashaultz) Rickard, lived for a few 
years on a farm near his father's. In 1843 
they settled in the town of Wright, where 
they lived on rented land for a few years, 
afterward buying land and improving a farm. 
To this he added from time to time, until he 
had three hundred and forty acres of as fine 
farming land as could be found in the vicinity, 
which he carried on with excellent results 
until his removal to Gallupville, where he 
and his good wife lived, retired, until his 
death, in 1892. His widow, now several 
years past threescore and ten, is living in the 
same town, surrounded by all the comforts 
that make life desirable. Of the eleven chil- 
dren born to her, nine grew to maturity, 
seven boys and two girls, the subject of this 
sketch being the third son and the fourth 
child. 

Alonzo A. Haverly received but an indiffer- 
ent education in the public schools in his boy- 
hood, but has supplemented it with after 
years of study. When he was growing up, 
his parents being in rather straitened circum- 
stances, his help was needed on the farm, 
where he remained until twenty-seven years 
old, working with fidelity and diligence. 
He then pursued his studies for a while in a 
select school in Gallupville for two terms, 
and afterward attended the .Schoharie Acad- 
emy. The following five winters Mr. 
Haverly was engaged in teaching. In 1880 
he purchased very cheap, at a foreclosure sale, 
his present fine mill property and the house 
in which he lives. He has rebuilt and im- 
proved the buildings at quite an expenditure, 
his <rrist-mill now having three sets of stones 



and his saw-mill a four-foot circular saw\ 
Both of the mills are run by four different 
kinds of wheels, propelled by water taken 
from the Delaware River, a half a mile 
away. The improvements are many and 
varied; and the property has now a commer- 
cial value of ten thousand dollars, a great in- 
crease since the first establishment of the 
plant, some ninety years ago. 

In July, 1873, Mr. Haverly formed a mat- 
rimonial alliance with Betty Sullivan, a na- 
tive of Delaware County. She lived but 
two years after their marriage, dying in 1875, 
and was soon followed by their infant daugh- 
ter. In 1877 Mr. Haverly married Hattie 
Sullivan, a sister of his first wife. Of the 
four children born of this union two died in 
infancy; and one daughter, Mary, a capable 
girl of fifteen years, and one son, Fred, a 
bright boy of thirteen, are both attending 
school. In politics Mr. Haverly is a straight- 
forward Democrat, but not an oflfice-seeker. 
Religiously, he is a believer in the doctrines 
of the Lutheran church, but with his family 
attends the Methodist church. He is a man 
of substantial business ability; and, being 
blessed with good physical as well as mental 
ability, he carries on the work of his two 
mills with the help of one man only. In con- 
nection with this he also deals extensively 
in flour and feed. 




^TT^TEPHEN R. and ERASTUS R. 
SEACORD were both born in Bo- 
vina, and are to-day numbered 
among the most prosperous farmers 
of the town. They are sons of James C. Sea- 
cord, and of French origin, tracing their an- 
cestry back to their great-grandfather, Paul 
Seacord, who was one of the early colonists. 
He left France with his six brothers, on 
account of the religious persecutions attend- 
ing the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. 
He had a son, William Seacord, who came 
from Dutchess County to Bovina in 1789, 
early in Washington's Presidency, and settled 
near Bennett Hill, where settlers were very 
few, the country wild, and game plentiful. 
Here he was twice married, reared fifteen 
children, and led a useful and happy life. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



269 



He was a Baptist, and died on his farm at 
seventy years of age. 

Stejihen R. Seacord, the son of William 
and the ;;randfather of the special subjects of 
this sketch, was born in Hovina in 1S05. Fn 
1S27 he bought the farm of a hundred acres 
where his grandsons now live, on which al- 
ready stood a log house anil barn : but later he 
bought more land, so that before his death he 
had two hundred and thirty acres. lie was 
very liberal in his religious views, and a 
Whig in politics, though he joined the ranks 
of the Republican party at its formation. 
Stephen Seacord died on his farm at fort)'- 
seven years of age, leaving three children and 
a widow, who outlived him twenty-three 
years. One of the two daughters is Mary 
Ann Seacord, the wife of George liell, a 
farmer in New Lisbon, Otsego County. 
James C. Seacord was the only son. Amanda 
Seacord, the other daughter, married Momcr 
C. Burgin, and is no longer li\'ing. 1 

James C. Seacord was horn Novend)er 21. 
1828, and lived on the homestead which he 
inherited, and to which he added. On h\b- 
ruary 3, 1S52, he married h^sther Close, who 
was born October 8, 1S22, and was a daughter 
of ¥Ai and Elizabeth (Adee) Close. "^ Eli 
Close was born in Dutchess County, but died j 
in Bovina, at sixty-five years of age. He was 
a shoemaker as well as a farmer, and an old- 
time Whi 



c>* 



.Mrs. Close was born in Lam 
County, became the mother of ten children, 
and died at seventy-eight. Live of these 
children are still living — George. Stephen, 
William, Harriet, and Mrs. Seacord. James 
C. Seacord was a Democrat, and died at the 
homestead on Independence Day, 1893. He 
and his wife were members of tlie Methodist 
Episcopal church, and were the parents of five 
children. The eldest, Abigail .Seacord, was 
born December 12, 1852, and is now Mrs. 
Thomas Fuller, a resident of Bovina Centre. 
The second child, Stephen R. .Seacord. the 
elder of the Seacord brothers, was born in the 
town of Bovina on August 5, 1856, just prior 
to James Buchanan's Presidential victory 
over John C. h'remont : and on New Year's 



Day, iSS- 



married Annice McDivitt. 



and Elizabeth (Kipp) McDivitt. Mr. and 
Mrs. .McDivitt are members of the Presbyte- 
rian church in .Andes village, where they 
resiile. Mr. McDivitt was a fiuiner for man\' 
years, but is now a drover; and he has alwa\s 
been a stanch Republican. Mr. and .Mrs. 
.Stephen R. .Seacord have four children: 
Mabel ICsther Seacord, born .\|)ril 6, 1884; 
S. Edgar .Seacord, born ]*"ebruary 23, 1886; 
iLlizabeth C. Seacord, born April 6, 1888; 
and Anna Myrtle Seacord, born September 
20, 1893. The father is liberal in his relig- 
ious views, but Mrs. Seacord belongs to the 
Methodist Episcopal church. The third child 
of J. C. Seacord, Erastus R. Seacord, was 
born on January 28, 1859. the year before 
Lincoln's election. He has never married, 
but makes his home with his mother and 
brother at the old farm. His second sister, 
IClizabelh Nancy Seacord, was born on June 
25, 1862, and is the wife of H. G. Bramley, 
a farmer in H(jvina. Another sister, Mary 
.\nn Seacord, was born November ly, 1865, 
and died January 31. 1872. 

Stephen and ICrastus Seacord were educated 
in the district schocds, and since their father's 
death have lived in partnership on the old 
farm. They have usetl their buildings to the 
very best advantage, and have a fine dairv, 
owning twenty-seven grade Jerse\- cows. For 
ten months of the year 1893 thev averaged 
two hundred ami Hfty pounds of butter per 
cow for the market. The farm would afford 
support for as many as forty cattle; and there 
is an orchard of seven acres, stocked with the 
finest fruit. The brothers are to be congratu- 
lateti on their uniting efforts to increase the 
value of the estate. They are both men of 
superior business t[ualities and agricultin-al 
knowledge. 

"In the tieKI of destiny we reap as we have 
sown." 




She was born in liovina on I'ebruarv 5, 1862, 
being one of the five children of William J. 



"ARl'hIR B. GAYLORD, a highly es- 
teemed citizen and prosperous voutig 
II9 t farmer in Harpersheltl, Delaware 

County, is a desceiulant and name- 
sake of the founder of that town. He is the 
son nf Daniel X. and Mary (Stevens) Gay- 
lord, and was born .March 19, i860. His 



270 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



great-grandfather, Jedcdiah Gaylord, who had 
been a soldier in the Revolution, came from 
Connecticut, and settled with the Harpers and 
Roswell Ilotchkiss on a large tract of land in 
Harpersfield, which was then a wilderness. 
His children, ten in number, were Jedcdiah, 
Horace, Jdin, Harry, Daniel N., Levi, Ach- 
sah, Lois, Ruthala, and Mercy Gaylord. The 
father lived to the age of eighty-four years, 
but his wife died at threescore and ten. 

Daniel N. Gaylord, the fifth son named 
above, was born in Harpersfield, January 6, 
1796; and when but a boy he entered service 
for the War of 181 2. When manhood was 
reached, he bought a small tract of land, 
nearly all of which was covered with forest, 
built a store on the road at West Harpersfield, 
and married Isabella Hotchkiss; but, just as a 
happy and successful life seemed opening be- 
fore him, he was stricken down with a fever, 
from which he died at the early age of twenty- 
seven, leaving a widow and a baby namesake. 

Isabella Hotchkiss was a daughter of Ros- 
well and Margaret (Harper) Hotchkiss, whose 
marriage took place May 16, 1786, soon after 
the Revolution. Mr. Hotchkiss built a dis- 
tillery, and a factory where nails were made 
by hand, near West Harpersfield. On the 
brook he put up mills, where he did all the 
sawing for the people in that region: and he 
also had a turning-lathe. He bought and 
cleared land for a farm, erected buildings on 
it, was an active, enterprising man, and lived 
to the age of eighty-three years and five 
months, dying December 28, 1845. His wife 
was seventy-nine at the time of her death, 
January 22, 1845. Their children were: 
John Hotchkiss, born July 10, 1788; Joseph 
Hotchkiss, April 14, 1790; Roswell Hotch- 
kiss, Jr., April 4, 1792; Isabella Hotchkiss, 
August 6, 1795: Russell Hotchkiss, July 12, 
1797; Margaret Hotchkiss, March 4, 1800; 
Mary Ann Hotchkiss, January 14, 1804; and 
Sally Hotchkiss, January 7, 1806; besides 
two who died in infancy. 

Margaret Harper, wife of Roswell Hotch- 
kiss, was a daughter of John and Abigail 
(Montgomery) Harper, and a grand-daughter 
of James and Jeanette (Lues) Harper, who 
were born in Ireland, though their families 
are traced to Germany and France. James 



Harper sailed with his family from Derry, 
Ireland, and landed at Casco Bay, on the coast 
of Maine, in October, 1720. Here they set- 
tled ; but when war broke out with the Ind- 
ians they moved, with the exception of one 
son, John, to Boston, and thenceforth all 
traces of them disappear. John remained in 
Maine, serving in the army three years. 
Then he went to Boston, and thence to Hop- 
kinton, Mass., where he married Abigail 
Montgomery, November 8, 1728. After a 
time he moved to Noddle's Island, now East 
Boston, Mass., thence to Windsor, Conn., and 
thence in 1754 to Cherry Valley, Albany 
County, now Otsego County, New York. 
Here he bought a tract of land, and began to 
clear and cultivate it; but after a few years 
he pulled up stakes, and came to Harpersfield, 
where his death occurred April 20, 1785. 
His children were: William, James, Mary, 
Colonel John, Margaret, Joseph, Alexander, 
and Abigail Harper. 

John Harper, Jr., their third son, was the 
chief founder of Harpersfield. He attended 
school at Lebanon, and there became ac- 
quainted with a young Indian, who was after- 
ward the celebrated chief, Joseph Brant. 
From him young Harper learned much con- 
cerning the ways of the red man, which was 
of service to him in after years, when he was 
a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and 
served with honor and distinction, gaining 
the rank of Colonel by his bravery and sagac- 
ity. Often, when coming in contact with the 
Indians, his cool courage, combined with an 
unusual knowledge of their language and 
habits, was the means of saving himself antl 
others from destruction. Colonel John Har- 
per married Marion Tompson, and four chil- 
dren were the result of this union. They 
were John, Archibald, Margaret, and Rutli 
Harper. John Harper, the third, born July 
10, 1774, enjoyed the distinction of being the 
first white child born in Delaware County. 

Prior to the Revolution the Harpers, find- 
ing that the Indians possessed territory which 
they were willing to sell between the Dela- 
ware and Charlotte Rivers, determined to 
buy, and to found a settlement of their own; 
but, before they could complete the purchase, 
they were obliged to have a license from the 




George F. Post. 



lUOGRAPHICAL RKVIKW 



27.5 



gdvcrnmcnt. This they iHdciuvW, and they 
boiij;'ht t\V(.'nt\-t\vo thousand acres. The [xit- 
cnt running to tlieni was from Kin;;' George 
III. as a lease, wliich stipulated that a vearly 
tax he paid of t\M> shillings and sixpence a 
hundred acres for the use of the ground, not 
going over one foot deep: but a release from 
this obligation was given by the State of \ew 
\'ork, after inde]iendetice was declared. In- 
cluded in this grant were the names of John 
Harper. .Sr., William IIarpei% John Harper, 
Jr., Joseph Harjx'r, and Alexander Harper. 
After the war t'olonel John Harjier tlid much 
towarcl founding the permanent settlement at 
Harpersfield. building mills and stores. He 
died November 20, icSii, his wife ha\ing been 
ilead since 1778. 

Daniel X. (iavlord. Jr., son of Daniel N. 
and Isabella (Hotchkiss) Gavlord. was born 
near where he now lives, in Harpersfield, and 
was educated at the district school. lie be- 
came a partner in the firm of Peck iK: Harjier. 
but soon bought them out, and managed the 
store alone for several years. Then he gave 
up mercantile life for agricultm-al, bu\ing one 
farm after another until he was tlie owner of 
four hundred acres. He married for his first 
wife Mary Stevens, a daughter of .Seely .Ste- 
vens, who was one of the earliest hotel-keepers 
in Delaware County. Mr. Ste\-ens was the 
owner and manager of the hotel at -Stamford, 
built in 1807, which has since been converted 
inln a dwelling-house, and is now owned b\- 
-S. B. Champi'in. The children of Mr. Gay- 
lord's fiist maiTiage were: h.dward. .Sarah, 
and John Gavlord. all of whom died \oung; 
and Harper H. Gaylord, whose name heads 
the ])resent sketch. Mrs. Mary .Stevens (iay- 
lord died at the age of fifty-three; and Mr. 
D. N. {ia\iord has since married Rose X'^roo- 
man, a [laughter of Cornelius X'rooman, of 
Hlenheim, bv whom he has one child, lulward 
(iaylord, born I'"ebruar_\- 15, 1882. Mr. Gas- 
lord .stocked his store, and there established 
his son Harper. 

On account of jioor health. Harper H. Ga)-- 
loril, like his father before him, exchanged 
the life of the store fur the freer range of the 
farm, settling on the old homestead. (~)n 
March 15, 1880, he married Hattie, daughter 
of Bennett Graff, who came from Leipsic. Ger- 



many, til .\cw \nik Lily, where he resided 
some time. l*"rom there lie moved to Ilobart, 
Delaware County, and thence to Kortriglu. 
where he is a ))ainter an<l cabinet-maker. He 
married Mary J. I'iidser, daughter of Stephen 
Tinker, and hail two children — Hattie and 
Wesle)-, the latter of whom tlied when a child. 
His first wite dying at the age of twenty-eight 
years, Mr. Graff married for his second wife 
Hattie Keeler, of Kortright, by whom he has 
one son, lulmund L, Graff. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Harper B. (iay- 
lord is blessed with two children: Koswell 
Ilolehkiss (iaylord, born January 22, 1S81; 
and Alice Mary Gaylord, born November 16, 
1889. Their father and his father arc both 
Republican.s, and both families are connected 
with the United Presbyterian church. Mr. 
(iayloril is a worthy descendant of his ])ioneer 
and Revolutionary ancestry, and is highly es- 
teemed in the tuwn which his famih' foundetl. 




|i;\". Gl-:ORGl': l'. post, a retired 
P>aj)tist minister, living at Meredith. 
Delaware Count}-, X.V., was born 
at Bozrah, Conn., .Se[)tember 24, 
18 I 3. His father, Stephen I'ost. Jr., a native 
of the same town, came to Meredith in 1818, 
and, taking u]) a tract of timbered land, 
cleared it, and g<it it into a state of cultiva- 
tion. A fi'w years later he sold this prop- 
erty and moved to West Meix-dith, living 
there for some time, afterward returning to 
Connecticut, dying there, aged sixty-three. 
Mrs. Post, wild was a Miss Amanda .M. 
Burchard before marriage, was the mother of 
five children: (ieorge V.\ Ira Hill: Charles 
B., a missionary in California: .Samuel .A., 
deceased, who graduated from Vale College, 
afterward engaging in teaching: and Harriet 
Amanda, wife of Nathan Ayer, a graduate of 
Troy, and teacher in a female C(dlege in 
North Carolina. 

(ieorge 1"". Post s]ient his earl\- yeais in 
Meredith, and at the early age of thirteen 
worked on a farm by the montii, continuing at 
this labor until he was twenty-one. His 
schooling was obtained during the winter 
months. He prepared himself for college, 
entering Hamilton, graduating from there 



274 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



after a four years' course. He was ordained 
in Westford, Otsego County, in 1838, his first 
charge being at Leesvillc, near Sharon 
Springs, where he preached for about six 
years. His next charge was at New Berlin, 
where he remained for six years, and was then 
called to the home of his childhood. He re- 
mained in Meredith about three years, was at 
Franklin two years, and again returned to 
Meredith for another three years. His next 
charge was at Jersey City; and he went from 
there to East Lyme, Conn., where he re- 
mained four years. He was once more re- 
called to Meredith, and preached here until 
1882, when he retired, and has since made 
his home with Mr. Ayer, of Camden, N.J. 

The Rev. Mr. Post was married in 1838 to 
Miss Mercy Gal loop, a daughter of Thomas 
Galloup, a well-known farmer of Cassville, 
Oneida County. Mr. Galloup and his wife 
were originally from Connecticut, but for 
many years had been residents of Cassville. 
They were the parents of seven children. 
Elder Post has always been an earnest worker 
in the temperance movement, and early joined 
the ranks of the Abolitionists. During his 
long and active course, which in every sense 
has been that of a noble and Christian man, 
he has ever lived up to the principles he 
preached. Always first and foremost in every 
good and noble work, he is revered and re- 
spected throughout the length and breadth of 
the county, the serene content of his old age 
being the result of a godly, useful, and unself- 
ish life. 

Probably few portraits within these covers 
will be more welcome to a larger circle of 
friends than the accompanying likeness of this 
faithful preacher of the gospel of peace. 



Wi 



[LLIAM G. SMITH, M.D., of the 
firm of Smith Brothers of Walton, 
N.Y., the partners of the firm being 
William G. and John D. Smith, is a graduate 
of Bellevue Medical College, of New York 
City, and a young man of good mental 
powers, well educated, and well equipped for 
the battle of life, having before him the pros- 
pect of a useful and honored career. He was 
born in Walton on the homestead where he 



now resides, on October 1 1, 1866. Mr. Smith 
is of Scotch antecedents, his great-grand- 
father, John Smith, having emigrated from 
Scotland with his family in 18 18, becoming 
one of the early settlers of Delhi. Buying a 
tract of land, which was mostly covered with 
timber, he cleared a small farm, and made 
that his permanent home. This farm is now 
owned by the Howland brothers, and adjoins 
the farm of the Smith brothers. 

Robert Smith, son of John the emigrant, 
was about eighteen years of age when he left 
his home in Scotland; and after his arrival 
in this country he assisted his father in 
clearing land and in establishing a home in 
the wilderness, remaining at home until his 
marriage with Christina McFarlane. He then 
purchased a farm on Scotch Mountain, Delhi, 
where he lived and reared a family of ten 
children, who may be thus briefly designated: 
Jane married Alexander Shaw, of Delhi. 
Nancy married Robert Sloan, of Walton. 
John W. was the father of the subject of the 
present sketch. Catherine married Robert 
Wight. Robert was the fifth child. Chris- 
tian married John Armstrong, of Salinas, Cal. 
Janet married James Miller, of Fresno, Cal. 
Daniel was the eighth, and Alexander E. the 
ninth child. Margaret, the youngest, married 
Alexander Tweedy, of Walton village. The 
parents of this large family spent 'the years of 
their wedded life on their homestead in 
Delhi, the mother passing away at the age of 
forty-two years, ere reaching the meridian of 
life. Her husband survived her, living to the 
advanced age of seventy-seven years. 

John W. Smith was born and bred in the 
town of Delhi, attending first the district 
schools, and later the high school, and, after 
completing his education, was engaged in 
teaching school in the winter season, and 
working on a farm in the summer. In 1854 
he came to Walton, and, purchasing the prop- 
erty where his sons now reside, began the 
improvement of a farm. He placed the land 
under good cultivation, erected commodious 
buildings, and successfully conducted the 
business, farming until the time of his death, 
which occurred in August, 1882, when fifty- 
four years of age. He married Jane Wight, 
daughter of George and Jane (Little) Wight, 



RIOCRAIMIICAI, REVIEW 



-75 



fariiiors ot Delhi, wluTo llu)' .s])t.'nt tlicir last 
years. Mr. aiui Mrs. \\'i!;ht were the parents 
of ten ehiklren: namely, John, Betsey, Rob- 
ert, ICllen, William, Margaret Ann, Isabella, 
lane, (leorge, and Thomas. 

[ohn W'. .Smith and his wite Jane reared 
seven ehildren, five sons and twn daughters; 
nameh', Robert, Jane V.., (leorge \\'.. John 
])., William (1.. 1-Jnma C, and Alexander 
I-".., of whom only three are now living; 
namelv, |ohn 1)., William Ci., and h'.mm;i C. 
Robert, the eldest, died ;it the age of twent\'- 
three, at the elose of his Junior yeai' in Ham- 
ilton College. The remaining three died in 
childhood. John I), married Mary I'etrie. 
the daughter of John and Margaret ( I'dliott ) 
I'etrie, of New Kingston, I)i,-laware County; 
anil their imion has been blessed by the birth 
of two ehildren— Margaret I'^ and John W. 

William C .Smith, being a studious, ambi- 
tious youth, reeeiei'd e\eelK-nt educational 
advantages, and, after le;iving the district 
school, pursued a course of study at the Wal- 
ton Academy, ami latei' took a business course 
at the Albany Commercial College, ;ilter- 
nately working on the farm antl attending 
school. lie subsequently entered Hellevue 
Medical College, from which he was gr:id- 
uated in 1894, anil expects in the near future 
to sever his connections with tlu' faiaii ;ind 
j)ractise medicine in his nali\e town. In 
their political affiliations both brothers are 
inflexible iidherents to the pi'iiiciples ot the 
Republican part}-, and John is ser\'ing his 
fellow-townsmen as I'Lxcise Commissioner. 
Both are members of the L'nited Presbyte- 
rian church, of which theii' f;ither was one of 
the founders, and in which he seived with 
tidelit\' for many \'ears as an bdder. 




.\ SF.ARI.b'.S. a successful mer- 
chant tailor of Hancock. X.^^, was 
l)orn in Withiel, Cornwall, F.ngland, 
Ma\' 7, 1S37. His father, who was born in 
the s;ime town, was William .Scarlcs, a black- 
smith bv trade, who there followed his occu- 
pation until 1848. He then came to 
America, sailing from Padstow, Cornwall, in 
the shi|) "Belle," and after a stormy \'oyage 
of six weeks and three da\s landed at ( )ue- 



bec. Going from there to Bethany, Wayne 
County, Pa., he remained about ;i \e;ir; ;ind 
then, moving to Cherry Ridge, Pa., he en- 
gaged in the blacksmith business. 

Being moderately successful, he lived in 
that place imtil his death at the age of 
seventy-five years. He w.as a member of the 
Methodist JCpiscopal Church at Cherry Ridge, 
and with his wife, who was Mary Hlake, of 
Withiel, Cornwall, and survived her husband 
about one \'ear, is buried at Cherry Ridge. 

rhe\- had a family of nine children, namely: 
Reuben, who was ;i miller by trade, and 
p:isseil his da\-s in his native town; Jane, who 
after her marriiige to Philip W'illiams, a 
wheelwright, went to .Sydney, Xew .South 
Wales, about 1845, and died m 1S60; Caro- 
line, who went to -Australia with her sister, 
Mrs. Williams, and, ha\dng married, made 
that phice her home; Belinda, who ilieil at 
Cherry Ridge when ;d)out seventeen years ol 
age: \\'illiam, a f;nnier, who with his wife, 
Sarah (Gregory) Searles, and a family of 
seven children, lix'es at .Seelyville, Wayne 
Count}-, Pa. : Mary Ann. who married a shoe- 
rnaker of Portland, Conn.: Henry Dickerson, 
who died in i88j; P'elix, the subject of this 
sketch: Thir/a, who m:irrieil William Ham, 
a carpentei' of Hoiiesdale, Pa.; and Andrew, 
a farmer near Windsor, Broome Coui-ity, X.Y., 
who married Jane Bond, of Hoiiesdale. 

b'elix at the age of fourteen began to learn 
the tailor's trade in the employ of William 
Parnienter, ol Honesikile, Pa., where he re- 
i-nained for thiee \ears. He there worked for 
Benjamin .Sherwood nine years, and, going 
from there to H.iwley, Pa., started in business 
for himself. After eight years he left Haw- 
ley, -and in 1864 can-ie to the thriving town of 
Hancock, whei'e he has since been engaged 
in the clothing business. He carries a large 
stock of gentlernen"s furnishing goods and 
ready-made ehithing in connection with his 
merchant tailoring, and counts among his cus- 
tomers the best people in this section. 

On October 25, i86g, he marrieil :\Iary A. 
Tarbox, daughter of -Silas and -Ann (Mat- 
thews) Tarbox, of Honesdale, w-hose ancestors 
were soldiers in the patriot army in the Revo- 
lutionary War. The Tarbox family came 
oriuinal'lv from l-'rance, and were among the 



276 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



early colonists of the United States. Mr. 
and Mrs. Searles have two children: Minnie 
A., who was born May 23, 1871, obtained 
her education at the Hancock Academy, and 
now lives at home with her parents; Clarence 
Howard, who was born November 2, 1886, 
now attends the academy in Hancock. 

Mr. Searles was one of the charter members 
of the Knights of Honor in Hancock. He is 
a well-known and popular citizen; and, being 
upright in all his dealings, he has gained 
much respect among his friends and patrons. 




ARVEY B. CRONK is one of the 
most extensive agriculturists at 
Grand Gorge, in the town of Rox- 
bury, Delaware County, N.Y., 
where he was born on July 8, 1832. The 
great-grandfather, Lawrence Cronk, came from 
Germany. He was a private in the Revolu- 
tion, and died of small-pox. leaving only one 
child, named after himself. Lawrence Cronk, 
Jr., was born in Tarrytown, on the Hudson 
River, and when he grew up learned the car- 
penter's trade. After attaining his majority, 
he removed to Delaware County, where he at 
first went to work for Captain Hardenburgh 
in Roxbury. Then he bought a log house on 
the turnpike, and kept a tavern there for a 
couple of years, also working more or less at 
his trade. Later he bought a small farm. 
He lived to be ninety-three years old. In 
politics he was an old-time Whig. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Nancy Creary, also 
lived to a good old age; and they brought into 
the world ten children — John, Nathan, Sally, 
Nathaniel, Polly, Hannah, Betsey, Phoebe, 
Edward, and Ro.setta Cronk. 

Nathaniel Cronk, second son and fourth 
child of Lawrence, Jr., was l)orn on the farm 
in Roxbury, where he worked many years. 
His wife was Abigail, the widow of Charles 
Harley. They bought of John Powell the 
farmof two hundred acres on which Nathaniel 
had been employed, and remained there till 
1840, when they bought another place, of a 
hundred and fifty acres, on the Delaware 
River, where they built a barn and a large 
addition to the house. In 1845 they sold 
this estate to Mr. Cronk's brother John, and 



moved back to Ferris Hill, where they lived 
some years. In their declining days they 
found a home with their son Harvey, and died 
in the Methodist faith in which they had 
lived, he at the age of sixty-seven, and she at 
eighty-two. In politics Nathaniel Cronk was 
a Whig till the formation of the Republican 
party, which he a,t once joined. Nathaniel 
and Abigail Cronk had seven children, of 
whom the eldest is Harvey B. The others 
were: Volney, Laura, Lyman, Alva, Debois, 
and Martha Cronk. 

Harvey B. Cronk went to the district 
school, and worked on the home farm till he 
was twenty-two, when he bought three hun- 
dred and sixty-five acres, one for every day in 
the year, which had been settled by the Rev. 
James Russell; and thereon he erected the 
present commodious buildings. The next 
year, 1855, at the age of twenty-three, he 
married Amanda Moffatt, of whose family an 
account may be found in another sketch. 
She died in 1893, aged si.xty; but Mr. Cronk 
is still an active man, enjoying the confidence 
of his fellow-men. Like his father, he be- 
longs to the Methodist church; but, unlike 
his father, he is a Democrat, not a Republi- 
can. He has held the office of Town Com- 
missioner over twenty years. His farm now 
numbers three hundred and fifty acres, and 
supports nearly sixty cows. 

His daughter Mattie was born on September 
II, 1857. On March ig, 1876, at the age of 
nineteen, she became the wife of Everett 
Desilva. He was born in Schoharie County, 
near the town of Gilboa, on January 24, 
T856, and was the son of Ira and Sarah 
(Thomas) Desilva, and a grandson of -Abner 
Desilva, who was born in France. When not 
yet ten years old, Abncr Desilva was kid- 
napped while playing on a wharf, and 
brought to America. He was kindly cared 
for, however, and lived for a time in Gilboa, 
but later went West. His children were 
John, Issachar, Hiram, and Ira Desilva. Ira 
Desilva was born in Gilboa. In due time he 
bought a farm of two hundred acres, and then 
another farm adjoining of a hundred and fifty 
acres, putting up new buildings, and also a 
woollen-mill, and becoming a very prosperous 
manufacturer. His wife was S^rah Thomas, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



277 



a (laughter of Martin \'an 15incn Tlionias, a 
Gi,lboa lawNcr. Ira and Sarah Dcsilva had a 
large family of children: Frances Desilva, the 
wife of ICdward Carpenter; Electa Desilva, 
who lives at Cohocs; Laura, who married 
W. II. Heeker: Josephine, who married Will- 
iam Dudle)', and is no longer living: ivosa. 
the wife of Frank Simmons; Andrew, de- 
ceased; Homer, who married Anna h'.llen 
Searls; Henry, who marrietl Fmeline Myres: 
Smith, now living at the West; John, 
Stcjihen, anil Judson, all deceased: and finalh' 
ICverett Desilva. Ira Desilva lived to he 
si.Kty-eight and his wife seventy-four \ears. 
Both were members of the Methodist l''.])is- 
copal church, and he was a Democrat in po]- 
itics. 

Everett Desiha attended the ]5ui)lic schools 
in different places till he was fourteen years 
okl, and then worked on a farm until he 
married Mattie Cronk. Two of their children 
died young, but they ha\-e two living. Leo 
Harvey Desilva was born March 30, 1S80, 
and Iva Alva on November 4, 1882. l^verett 
Desilva worked for his father-in-law two 
years after mairiage, and then bought a farm 
near by of a hundred and thirty acres, which 
he carried on in partnership with Mr. Cronk 
till 1 888. Then the younger gentleman 
bought the Moore farm, of three hundred and 
sixty acres, whereon he has built a fine house, 
measuring forty-two by seventy-four feet, and 
supjjlied with all modiMii impnnements. lie 
has also |)ut up a largi- barn, affording room 
for sixty head of cattle and four horses. Not 
only does he raise milk for the New \'ork 
market, but colts also; and there are about a 
hundred and fifty sheep on the place. The 
family attend the Methodist church, and Mr. 
Desilva is a strong Prohibitionist. Their 
place is onh' a mile and a half from Crand 
Gorirc. 




'A.MUia. M1<;L\ is the owner of a 
valuable estate, consisting of ime 
hundred and sixty acres of well- 
cultivated land, with good buildings 
thereon, in the town of llamden. He is a 
native of Scotland, and was born in Kirkcud- 
bright, July 9, 1 8 19. 



His parents, i\obert and Euphemia ( Thomp- 
son ) Mein, were lile-long residents of .Scot- 
land, the fathei' dying there in 1843, aged 
sixty-two years, and the mother in 1S45. Of 
the six sons and three daugliters born to them 
four sons and one daughter came to America. 
James Mein, the eldest son, ciossed the ocean 
in 1831 : and two years later his brother Rob- 
ert joined him in New ^'ork L'ity. They 
tollowetl their trade of stone-cutting there 
for eight years before coming to Delaware 
County. Putting their earnings together, 
they bought a farm in Delhi, which they car- 
ried on jointly for a few years; and then each 
purchased a homestead. Another brother and 
a sister came from .Scotland to this part of 
New York in 1839; and in 1841 their brother 
Samuel, of whom we write, came alone, taking- 
passage in a sailing-vessel, and being on the 
water thirty-two days. 

Samuel Mein had leai'ued the shoemaker's 
trade in his native land; and at this occupa- 
tion he worked t|uite a long while after con>- 
ing here, being enij)loye(l the first winter in 
the town of Andes, the following six years in 
Hovina, and the lU'xt three years in Hamden. 
In 1 85 1 Mr. Mein, desirous of seeing more 
of his adopti'd lountrv, made a trij.) to \'ir- 
ginia, sojourning for a short time in one of 
its quaint towns, and there working at his 
trade. He subsetjuently explored a large 
jiart of that .Slate, returning to Delhi in 
October. Alter his marriage he bought a 
larm in the town of Delhi, and lived on it 
seven years, exchanging it then for another in 
the same town, which hi' occu[)ie(l for fi\'e 
years. In 1863 Mi-. Mein bought his present 
farm, which then contained one hundred and 
ninety-seven acres, for the moneved considera- 
tion of three thousand three hundred dollars, 
his ])urchase including the stock on the farm. 
Small jiarcels of this land he has sold to the 
villagers, and his homestead proj^erty now 
contains one hundred and sixty acres. He 
keeps twenty-nine choice milch cows, some of 
them being grade Jerseys; and from this val- 
uable dairy he gets three hundred cpiarts of 
rich miik twice a day. In its a|)pointments 
and improvements the farm of Mr. .Mein ranks 
with the best in the locality, being a credit to 
his industry and good management. He re- 



278 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



cently lost a good barn and wagon-house by 
fire; and the substantial barn which he is now 
erecting in place of the old one, at a cost of 
nearly two thousand, is very commodious and 
conveniently arranged, and one of the finest 
structures of its kind in the vicinity. The 
stone basement is nine feet high, with twenty- 
two-feet posts above; and the timbers are of 
hemlock. There are two floors above the 
main floor, the driveway for the hay being on 
the upper floor; and the hay is thrown down 
into two immense bays. The second, or mid- 
dle, floor contains the threshing-room, and 
also the grain and feed bins. In the basement 
are accommodations for forty-five head of cattle 
and from five to seven horses, and one very 
important feature in connection with this fine 
building is its excellent system of ventilation. 
In the spring of 1852 Mr. Mein was united 
in marriage with Maria Lewis, the daughter 
of the late John Lewis and his estimable wife, 
Anna Wakeley Lewis. Mr. Lewis was a vet- 
eran of the Revolutionary War, and for many 
years received a pension. He settled in the 
town of Delhi, where he carried on a success- 
ful business as a miller. Of his seven chil- 
dren three daughters and two sons are now- 
living. Mr. and Mrs. Mein have buried one 
infant daughter. Three daughters and one 
.son still remain to them, who may here be 
briefly named: Mary, who married John 
Young, a farmer in Franklin, has one son: 
Euphemia, a well-known and successful 
teacher, began her professional career at the 
early age of sixteen years; Jessie lives at 
home; Robert L., who lives with his parents, 
has operated and managed the home farm for 
the past nine years, continuing the imjirove- 
ments already begun, and meeting with 
unquestioned prosperity in his various under- 
takings. He is a thorough-going agricultu- 
rist, and inherits in a marked degree those 
sterling qualities of character that constitute 
a good and loyal citizen. He is a strong Re- 
publican in politics, and lakes a warm inter- 
est in the common weal. He is now serving 
his second term as Assessor. He has also 
filled many of the minor offices of the town. 
Mr. Mein and his family are people of strong 
religious convictions, and worthy members of 
the Reformed Presbyterian church. Like his 



son, he is an ardent supporter of the Republi- 
can party, and forwards to the best of his 
abilitv the interests of the town. 




TXJf ll.LIAM LEONARD RUFF, a well- 
known farmer and the leading cat- 
tle breeder in Bovina, Delaware 
County, was born in the adjoining town of 
Roxbury on F"ebruary 21, 1855. His father, 
John Gottlieb Ruff, was born in Germany, 
and married Rosa Leonard before emigrating 
to America in 1853. He belonged to an old 
and rich family, had been trained a farmer, 
and was far from penniless when he crossed 
the seas. For a year the new-comers stayed 
in New York City, and then went to Greene 
County, where they hired a farm in Pratts- 
ville. Not feeling satisfied there, they left 
the place before the birth of their second 
child, William L., and settled in Roxbury, 
where they purchased two hundred acres, 
whereon they remained till recently, when 
they moved into the village, in retirement 
from hard- work, and where they arc now in 
the enjoyment of comfort and good health, and 
of religion, also, as members of the United 
Presbyterian church. .Mr. Ruff is especially 
active in religious matters, and is a Republi- 
can in politics. There were born into the 
homestead seven children, all now living and 
thriving. John Ruff, the eldest, born in 
1853, is a farmer in Andes. Next comes 
William L. Ruff, of Bovina. The eldest 
daughter, Kate, born in 1858, is now the wife 
of Lewis Van Aken, a Roxbury farmer. Car- 
rie Ruff, born in 1868, married Albert Craft, 
of Roxbury. George Howard and Edward 
Ruff, born in 1863 and 1867, live in the same 
county, the former in Stamford and the latter 
in Middletown. Henry Ruff, born in 1871, 
remains on the parental estate, and is largely 
engaged in land speculation. 

William L. Ruff grew to manhood in the 
usual way of a farmer's son, working on the 
land and attending the district school. In 
1872, at the age of seventeen, he started for 
himself, and for nine years worked on other 
farms for about fifteen dollars a month. By 
this time he was twenty-six; and, being very 
economical in disposition, he had accumulated 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



279 



a gjoodly sum of money. He therefore felt 
justified, on ]\Iarch 10, 1881, in marrying 
Anna Melissa White, daugliter of Joim W'liite, 
an early settler in Kortright, where he still 
li\es, a representative farmer, an earnest 
Democrat, and in sympathy with the religious 
opinions of his wife, who belongs to the 
Methodist society in Hobart. 

After his marriage William I-. Ruff bought 
the Rutherford farm, of three hundred acres, in 
Bovina, where he has continued to live and 
work hard ever since. Of course, he has to 
engage more or less in general agriculture, 
but gives his special attention to his dairy 
and to cattle breeding, keeping seventy-one 
cows, including the young stock. His milch 
cows yield each two hundred and eighty-five 
pounds of butter yearly for market, and the 
average has sometimes reached three hundred 
jiounds a head. He is justly proud of his 
high breed of cattle, registered, full-blooded 
Jerseys. If you wish to see it, he will show 
you a neatly printed chart, giving the pedigree 
of the head of the herd, Ida \Ieridale's Angelo, 
No. 28,013, dropped March 2^, i8yi, and 
described as having a solid color, black t(jngue 
and switch. This superb creature he bought 
of the Meridale farm at ^Meredith, A_\er & 
McKinney proprietors, for a hundred and 
twenty-five dollars, when the beast was only 
three months old. His majest_\ can be traced 
back four generations, through Ida of St. 
Lambert's bull, 19,169, and Angela Grande, 
32,607. Among his progenitors were the 
famous imported Stoke Pogis, 1,259. '^"'' 
Michael Angelo, 10,116, the latter soltl to 
Miller & Sibley for twelve thousand five hun- 
dred dollars each, when only a calf six months 
old. The cattle raised on Mr. Ruffs farm 
are sold into Kentucky. Pennsylvania, Ohio, 
and especially into Wayne and the adjacent 
counties, the calves always commanding two 
hundred dollars apiece, and sometimes twice 
that sum. I'or ten calves, now grown into 
cows, he refused two thousand dollars. AH 
this successful work has not been carried on 
in the old buildings which were on the place 
when Mr. Ruff bought it of W. L. Ruther- 
fortl. There is a new barn, measuring eighty 
by fifty-six feet. The other structures have 
all been remodelled, and thoroughly [liped 



I 



with water. There is stabling for some 
eighty cattle, and the 1-iuckley water device is 
used in the dairy process. The Ruff farm is 
anything but a /vw;'-// farm, being under fertiit- 
culti\ation. The proprietor gives himself 
strictl}- to business, and keeps two or three 
men constantly emiiloyed over his stock. 

Two children have blessed the family board 
— Minnie Bell and Lula May, born resjjec- 
tively in 1883 and 1886, and both gracing the 
home with the promise of fair womanhooil. 

Mrs. Ruff is a memiier of the .Methodist 
society in Bovina Centre; but her husband 
belongs to the United Presbyterian church in 
New Kingston, both following the parental 
lead. He is a Repul)lican, but is best known 
as the leading cattle breeder of the vicinity. 

Though barely forty years of age, Mr. Ruff 
is a hustler; yet he has won his way by strict 
integritv. The home is provided with everv 
modern attachment for healtii and comfort. 



TTAllARLKS C. TOBKV, one of the 
I v-^ most enterprising i-e[jresentatives of 
^is^ the industrial interests of Delaware 
County, is, with his partner, J. A. 
Warner, carrying on a substantial business as 
a tanner in the town of Walton. He comes 
of excellent New luigland ancestry, and is 
himself a native of the old Bay State, having 
been born in the town of Monson, Hampden 
County, December 31, 1831. His father, 
Stephen Tobey, was born in Tolland County, 
Conn., where, after completing his school 
life, he learned the trade of a tanner and cur- 
rier, continuing in business some years. He 
subsequently removed to Monson. Mass., 
where he erected a tannery, one of the largest 
in the vicinity, ami there carried on an ex- 
tensive business. Later in life, in addition 
to that industr}-. he also established a coun- 
tr)' store, which he conducted with profit until 
his death, at the ripe age of seventv-eighl 
years. He married Rebekah Fenton, of Will- 
ington. Conn., who bore hiiu the following- 
named children; Warren, a tanner, residing 
in Canada; Anna V., the wife of Rufus Chand- 
ler, of Monson; S. H., who graduated from 
Yale College in the class of 1853. and is now 
a broker in New York Citv, doing business at 



28o 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



No. 4 Broad Street; Charles C. ; and Mary 
E., the wife of H. F. Wing, of Grafton, 
Mass. The mother spent the declining years 
of her life in Monson, i)assing away at the 
venerable age of eighty-five years. She was a 
sincere Christian, pine in heart and spirit, 
and a faithful member uf the Congregational 
church. 

Charles C. Tobey was educated in the 
schools of his New England home, first at- 
tending the district schools of Monson, and 
subsequently taking a thorough course of 
study in Monson Academy, an institution of 
learning that ranked among the best of any 
in New England. He later worked in his 
father's tannery, learning the trade of a tan- 
ner and currier, and, after becoming of age, 
went into business with his eldest brother, 
who had purchased his father's interest in the 
tannery. In 1857, his brother deciding to re- 
move to Canada, Mr. Tobey, in company with 
R. O. Eentoii, purchased his interest in the 
tannerv; and they carried on a successful 
business for two years. In 1859, buying out 
his partner, Mr. Tobey carried on the busi- 
ness alone, continuing until 1871, when he 
closed out there, and came to Walton. Pur- 
chasing the plant of Mead, North & Co., he 
formed a copartnership with J. A. Warner, 
his present partner: and for a quarter of a 
century they have conducted a flourishing 
trade, their upright and honorable methods 
winning for them the esteem and confidence 
of all with whom they come in contact. 

Mr. Tobey was united in marriage in 1858 
to Maria H. Barrows, a native of Willimantic, 
Conn., and one of five children born to Will- 
iam and Betsey Barrows, the others being: 
Julia, who married John Atvvood ; Dwight; 
jane; and Charles II. By this marriage 
there have been born six children, the follow- 
ing being their record: Henry C, who is in 
the grocery busines.s, and who married Hattie 
Guild, a daughter of Truman Guild, of the 
firm of Guild & Son, druggists, of Walton, 
and has three children — Anna, Martha, and 
Trum; n : Herbert E., who is engaged as a 
dealer in coal ami lumber in Walton, and 
married May Dayton, of .Stamford, this 
county; ^'rod S., who is a hardware merchant 
in Sherbi'rne, Chenango County, and who 



married Ada Berry, of that place, they having 
one child, Marjorie; Frank W., a twin 
brother of Fred S., and in the coal business 
with his brother Herbert, who married Linda 
Holmes, a daughter of I'Lphraim Holmes; 
Carrie M., a graduate of Walton Academy, in 
the class of 1893; and Emma L. l-'rank 
Tobey was also graduated from Walton Acad- 
emy, and later from the New York School of 
Pharmacy, being the third in rank in a cla.ss 
of one hundred and thirty. He practised 
pharmacy two years, being with Imgarde & 
Co., of New York City, and was later em- 
ployed for a year in a drug store in Erie. 
Politically, Mr. Tobey affiliates with the 
Republican party. He takes a deep interest 
in local affairs, and is a strong and earnest 
advocate of all enterprises tending toward the 
advancement of his adopted town and county. 
For three years he has been President of the 
Board of Education. He and his family are 
devout members of the Congregational church, 
of which he has been chorister for many years. 
Mrs. Tobey, who is an active worker in the 
church, is also a teacher in the Sunday- 
school, and I'resident of the Missionary 
Society. 




AMUEE DECKER, M.D., is a phy- 
sician in the village of Griffin's 



Corners in Middletown, w-here he 
has a large practice. He was born 
in Schoharie County on July 21, 1839, son of 
Cornelius and Sally ( Hallock ) Decker. His 
grandfather, John C. Decker, son of Corne- 
lius, of Columbia County, went to school and 
worked on a farm in youth; but, arriving at 
manhood, he bought eighty acres in Broome, 
Schoharie County, whither he had to journey 
afoot. A log house and barn soon made the 
new country seem more like home, and the 
w^ilderness began to blossom like the rose. 
Grandfather Decker was a Democrat and a 
Methodist. He was the father of four chil- 
dren, two by each wife; for he married two 
Shaver sisters. The first wife died young, 
leaving a boy and a girl — Cornelius and Mar- 
garet. This daughter married p-reeman Whit- 
beck, and now resides in Rensselaer, Albany 
County. Of the second wife's two children, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



one ilicd in niiildlc a<^c, and tlic- other, Da\id 
Uecker, lives in Bingiianiton. The grand- 
father died at the age of sevcnty-ti\e. 

His son Cornelius, father of the Doctor, was 
born in 1808, and grew up a farmer and 
cooper. He married Sail}' Hallock, daughter 
of Samuel Hallock, whose wife died young, 
but not before she had borne four girls and 
three boys —Sally, Betsy, Nancy, John, 
Cornelius, Samuel, and Deborali Hallock. 
Cornelius Decker leased eighty acres in Scho- 
harie County, where he passed his life. He 
was a Democrat, ami held the office for some 
time of Highway ("ommissioner; and he won- 
derfully improved liis land. He died at the 
age of seventy, and his wife at si.xty-eight. 
They had five children. 'I'iie eldest, Wesley 
Decker, died in i860, just before the t'ivil 
War. The second chiltl, Samuel Decke'r, is 
the special subject of this sketch. Levi 
Decker niarrietl Mary \'aughn, lives in -South 
Dakota, and has one child. Daniel Decker 
married I'Aa Case, and dietl in Mackew 
Mar\- Decker became Mrs. Miniu" Hagerdorn, 
of Middleburg, and has one child. 

Sanuiel Decker went to the district school. 
Besiiles working on the farm in his early man- 
hood, he taught school till he was twenty- 
four. Then he stutlietl medicine, graduating 
in 1867, at the age of twenty-eight, from the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New 
\'ork City. He at once began practice at 
Griffin's Corners, where he still continues. 
He did not marry til! he had been nearly a 
decade in practice: but in the centennial year 
he became the husband of Mary Lasher, be- 
longing to a family of which more is recorded 
under the proper heading. .She was born 
October 3, 1857, was the daughter of Allen 
and Lliza (Crosby) Lasher, and the grand- 
daughter of Conrad and Anna C. (Sagendorf ) 
Lasher. Grandfather Lasher was born in 
Columbia County, and was reared a farmer. 
He came to Delaware County, and lived here 
till the great age of ninety; but his wife tiled 
young, though the mother of the following 
children: Robert, Frederick, L^dward, Abra- 
ham, Allen, Ik'tsey, Marietta, Catherine, 
none of whom are now living. 

The fifth child, Allen Lasher, was born in 
Columbia County, and came with the others 



to rxdaware Count). .At fust he did business 
as an insurance agent, an<l then bought a 
farm, turning his atention especially to lum- 
ber. By degiees he became an extensive 
speculator in real estate, buying and selling 
constantly. He had st-ven children. b'.dward 
C. Lasher married tirst Henrietta Kelley, and 
second Jennie I-'erow. He lives at the hotel 
in L'leischmanns village, and has one child, 
lunmt-t Lasher married Allison \'andermark, 
and lives on the farm belonging to her fam- 
ily, in the same \illage, and has one child. 
Mary ]{li/.a Lasher became Dr. Decker's wife. 
\'iola Lasher married T. B. I-'loyd, an insur- 
ance agent in .Syracuse. Huldali Lasher 
married William Whis])well, a New York 
salesman, and has two children, another hav- 
ing died young. Charles Lasher also lives in 
New York City. James Lasher is a student 
at the Aimandale College on the Hudson 
River. Their father died at Griffin's Corners, 
aged sixty-nine, and tlieir motiier at sixty-two. 
In religion they were Methodists; and he was 
a Democrat, holding three terms the office of 
Assessor. 

Dr. and Mrs. Decker have three children, 
all living at home in the pleasant house which 
their fathei' built in 1879. Lucy Maud was 
born on the first day of .August, 1877. Mary 
Ldith was born March 26, 1S80. Harvey was 
born August 24, 1887. The Doctor is. like 
his progenitors, a Demociat, and h.is held 
several offices. In ndigion he holds verv 
liberal opinions, and would say, with a man 
wiiom he admires as did his grandfather, 
who supjjorted that man for I'resuleiit — 
Thomas Jefferson, 

■■ Lrror ot opinion ma\' bo tolerated where 
reason is left free to combat it." 



(^()11\ C. CI1A.MB1;RLIN. a highly in- 
telligent resident of Tompkins, comes 
ol good aiicestrv on both his father's 
and mother's side. His great-grand- 
father Chamberlin. who. with three brothers, 
wa.s in the Revolutionary War, fought at the 
battle of Bennington. Wlien ]>eace was de- 
clared, he returned to his home at Brattle- 
boro, \'t., and resumed a farmer's life, 
rernaining there until his lieatli. I-'our of his 



282 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



sons settled in New York State in the latter 
part of the last century. One of them, Calven 
Chamber! in, born at Brattleboro in February, 
1773, made the journey on horseback, carry- 
ing all his earthly possessions on pack horses. 
He built a log cabin, and for six years em- 
ployed himself in lumbering and rafting. In 
June, 1799, he bought one hundred and thirty 
acres of land in Rapalyee's Patent, which is 
still in possession of the family, and on 
which he built the second frame house in the 
town. February 7, 1805, he married Polly 
M. Clune, whose one child, Mary, married 
and moved to Connecticut. Calven Cham- 
berlin's second wife was Bersheba Judd, 
daughter of the Rev. Benjamin Judd, of Penn 
Yan ; and she became the mother of these 
children — Eliza M., Benjamin J., Nancy 
Ann, Harriet, Nelson, Daniel D., Emeline, 
and James. After a long and useful life, the 
father died in January, 1853, aged eighty 
years, at the home of his son Daniel, which is 
one of the most beautiful in that section of 
the countr\'. 

Daniel D. Chamberlin, son of Calven, and 
the father of the subject of this biography, 
was born on the old homestead, April 23, 
1819, and, after attending the district school, 
entered the Franklin Academy, receiving an 
education far superior to that usually consid- 
ered sufficient for a farmer's son of that time. 
Upon leaving school, he engaged extensively 
in farming, lumbering, and operating a dairy, 
and for a time was a steersman on the river. 
For some years he was associated in business 
witii William B. Ogden, the Chicago million- 
aire, who endeavored to persuade him to enter 
the Western speculations in which Mr. Ogden 
later made his fortune. However, his love 
for his native State and his many business 
interests prevented liim from adopting any 
Western ventures. He built the residence 
now occupied" by his son, John C. He died 
March 29, 1881. Mr. Chamberlin married 
November 16, 1853, Miss Elizabeth Foulds, 
daughter of John S. ;ind IClizabeth (Wheaton) 
Foulds. 

John S. P'oulds was a native of Scotland, 
i)eing born in Greenock on the Clyde. At 
the age of eleven he ran away from home to 
go to sea, and was taken on board the clip- 



per "Fannie," which was commanded by his 
brother-in-law, Captain Black, and was said 
to be the fastest ship then afloat. His first 
voyage was to New York; and he later sailed 
to the West Indies, returning home at the age 
of sixteen, when he was pressed into the Eng- 
lish navy. He participated in three naval 
engagements with the French, and carried 
away the scars of the wounds made by pike 
and cutlass on his face and body. For 
twenty-eight months this poor boy served his 
country without pay, throughout all that time 
never being allowed to land. Is it to be 
wondered at that he imbibed a hatred for the 
English which he could never overcome? He 
finally made his escape from the English ship 
while she lay off the island of Barbadoes, by 
dropping overboard, and swimming a mile 
through water notoriously infested with man- 
eating sharks. After reaching the shore, he 
lay in hiding for a time, and then secured 
passage back to Scotland in a ship commanded 
by an old acquaintance. Upon landing once 
more on his native shore, he hid himself for 
three days, fearing discovery, as the govern- 
ment had offered five pounds as a reward for 
information of deserters. Poor, unfortunate 
John Foulds was then placed in a hogshead, 
which was headed up and sent on board his 
old ship "Fannie," still in command of his 
brother-in-law. Captain Black; and for three 
days food and water were passed to him in his 
hogshead in the hold, as he did not dare to be 
seen till well out at sea. On his arrival in 
America, being an expert machinist, he went 
to New London, Conn., and engaged in the 
cotton manufacture. Later he moved to New 
Berlin, and there engaged, as one of the first 
manufacturers of cotton print in this country, 
with Colonel Williams, President of the 
Canal Bank of Albany. On the death of his 
wife he went to the northern part of Illinois, 
where he lived for a time, but returned to 
Cannonsville, and took up his residence witli 
his son-in-law, dying there of pneumonia in 
1 88 1, at the age of eighty-seven. John S. 
Foulds was a Democrat until 1846, when he 
joined the Whigs, and later the Republicans. 
He fought in the War of 18 12, taking part 
under General Scott in the battles at Lundy's 
Lane and Sackett"s Harbor. He stood hijih 




Whrren G. Willis. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



^8S 



amons the Masons, bciiii; a mcnuKr oi lii,- 
Royal Arch Giaiul I.()il,t;o. During;- the (a- 
nious Morgan trial he was askcil by the iiulgc 
when he hist saw Morgan, and re|)lie(l, "I hist 
saw Morgan sailing down L'nadilla j'iiver in a 
potash kettle, with a crowbar for a paddle"; 
and this witty answer is still quoted in that 
section of the countrv. Tiiroughout his life 
he was a firm friend of the negro, often at- 
tacking roughs whom he saw abusing them. 

John C. Chamberlin, son of Daniel and 
Elizabeth (Foulds) ('hamberlin, was born Au- 
gust 19, 1859, on the old homestead at Tomp- 
kins. He attended the district school, and at 
the age of thirteen entered the Walton Acail- 
emy, from which he went to Cornell L'niver- 
sity as a member of the class of iScSo. When 
he was twenty-one, his father died, leaving in 
his care his invalid mother, wiio died January 
27, 1887, and the management of the estate. 
In the discharge of the duties which de\olved 
upon him he [iroved thoroughly conscientious 
and competent. He now ludds tlie position 
as Railway Postal Clerk on the ^■.^'.. (J. 
& W. R.R. Mr. Chamberlin is \ery popular 
in his native town, possessing the admiration 
and ri'sjiect of a host of friends, and has 
served in several [josilions of trust. 




was 
1827 
— or 



ARRh;X GALl.CI' Wll.I.I.S, a 
wealth\' lantl-owner and attorney, 
residing in the town of Masonville, 
)orn in the same place on March i i. 
His grandfather, .Solomon Willis 
Wvllvs, and then Wyllis, as it was tor- 
merly spelled — was born in Connecticut: and 
the grandmother's maiden name was Betsey 
Lathrop. Solomon Willis was old enough to 
fight in the I*"rench ami Indian wars: and his 
commission fmni (ieorge 11., dat(.'<l .March ^1. 
175S, is still in the possession of the family. 
and highly prized. He was an Mnsign, and 
served in the comjjany of which I'hineas 
Lyman was tiie Captain. 

When the Revolution broke out, luisign 
Willis enlisted for the entire war, and was on 
duty seven years, serving first as Captain. 
Being the oldest officer in the regiment, he 
was raised to the rank of Colonel at the battle 
of Bunker Hill, and held his regiment 



through the hard-fought battle ot i.ong Ishuul. 
.•\ugusl zj^ ^77^'>- He was soon after sent on 
tlie expedition ag;iins( Canada, in whicli he 
and his men suffered severely in battle ;in(i 
from the |)rivations and hardships incitient to 
that ill-fated invasion. He always cherished 
a great admiration for the bravery of Benedict 
Arutdd, under whom he siMved in the arduous 
march to ( juebec, and in tlie liemic fights 
there in 1775 76, exjiloits which won f.)r 
Arnold the rank of Brigatlier-general. Colo- 
nel W'illis was fortunate in never receiving a 
single wound. Before the wars he had owned 
considerable projiertN', but came ]jenniless out 
of the Revolution. The pav due from the 
British government for the earlier contest 
was never |)aid, because h'.nsign Willis was 
riglitly suspected of rebellious sym|iathies: 
and the Continental currency received from 
the Colonial Congress sank in value till it 
was practically worthless. After the war was 
over Colonel Willis returned to Connecti- 
cut, where he died at the age of fourscore, 
firm in the Presbyterian faith, having reared 
nine children, who have long since i)assed 
away. 

Among the veti-ran's sons was Wearam Wil- 
lis, who was born in I'ldland. Conn., on July 
27, 1780. while his father was still serving in 



1 the patriotic contest; and he marrieil Hannah 
Galluji, of Stonington, who was born July 17, 
1790. Wearam grew uj) on the home farm, 
and receiveti a fair education at the district 
scho(d. Arri\eil at his freedom age, he went 
to Alban)- as clerk, but in 1808 came to 
Masonville, where he bought sixty acres of 
land. After ;i short time, in iSlo. he sold 
this farm, and bought two hundred and thir- 
teen acres of forest land, wherefrom he cut 
the first tree and built the first frame house in 
the region the place now known as the old 
Willis homesteiul. Deer ;d)ounded, wolves 
could be heard howling at night, so that the 
live stock had to l)e sedulously protected, and 
bears made occasional visits. While build- 
ing his house, Mr. Willis saw one jirowling 
near, and walked t<nv;ird him. thinking the 
animal would be frightened away: but Bruin 
stood on his hind legs for a tussle, and then 
the settler was the more frightened of the 
two. and was relieved when at last the grim 



286 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



intruder conclutled to sidle away. The near- 
est market was sixty miles off, among the 
Catskills, though later Utica grew to be an 
important centre. Father Willis was a hard- 
working and ])rogressive farmer, acquiring a . 
large property for those days. He was Super- 
visor, held other town offices, and was practi- 
cally, as well as theoretically, interested in 
the welfare of the town. Though not a pro- 
fessor of religion, he was a Trustee in the 
local Presbyterian society, which he helped to 
organize. In politics he was a Whig, till the 
Whig party vanished and Republicans came 
into power. He was the father of nine chil- 
dren. The first died in infancy, unnamed. 
Hannah Willis died at fourteen. George 
Wearam Washington Willis lived to be 
seventy-six. Melissent Emeline Willis mar- 
ried Lyman Witter, and died in 1866. 
Nancy R. Willis died unmarried, at the age 
of twenty-four. Deidamia D. Willis became 
the wife of Stephen Thatcher, and died at 
seventy-two. Joshua S. S. Willis was born 
April 20, 1822, and is a Masonville farmer. 
John M. Willis lived to be sixty-three. The 
youngest of the nine is the subject of this 
sketch. Their father died April 6, i860, 
aged fourscore, and the mother four years 
earlier, on the last day of November, 1856. 
Warren G. Willis grew up on the farm, 
went to the district school and to a select 
school in the same town, and then studied two 
years in the Delaware Literary Institute, 
after which he taught school in this and other 
counties. As the youngest son, he then re- 
turned to the homestead, which he finally 
owned, adding thereto, till at one period he 
had over seven hundred acres, the largest 
farm in the town, devoted to general agricult- 
ure and especially to dairy products. In 
1850, when only twenty-three years old, Mr. 
Willis went to California. Being detained on 
the Isthmus seven or eight weeks, the expos- 
ure deprived him of his good health to such 
an extent that he was unable to remain in the 
diggings over four months, though he still 
has one of the golden nuggets he dug straight 
from the earth. On his return he went to 
farming until 1874. In 1877 he removed to 
Albany, in order to study at the law school. 
He was graduated, receiving his diploma 



from Union University in 1878. Returning 
to Masonville, he remained here till 1882, 
when he once more went to Albany for a year. 
Then he tried Minnesota for four years, on 
land still belonging to him; but in 1887 he 
came back to Masonville, where he continues 
to reside, practising law and caring for his 
real estate both in this town and in Albany. 
He has not remained on the homestead, how- 
ever, having sold it in 1880. 

His marriage took place September 2, 1856. 
His wife, Mary Parker, was born in Mason- 
ville, August 15, 1835, and is therefore eight 
years his junior. She was the daughter of 
Erasmus and Matilda (Humphrey) Parker. 
Her father was born in North Brookfield, 
Mass., on June 4, 1808, and her mother in 
1806, two years earlier, in Duanesburg, not 
far from Albany. Mr. Parker was a farmer 
for a few years in Masonville and Bainbridge, 
and then went to Minnesota, where he died 
August 17, 1 87 1. His wife died in Bain- 
bridge, Chenango County, June 24, 1857. 
They were Presbyterians, and reared seven 
children, of whom five survive. Alexander 
Parker died when only two years old. Mary 
Parker married the subject of this sketch. 
William Haskell Parker, born in 1840, now 
resides in Otego, Otsego County. Ruth M. 
Parker married Hunttress Ross, and lives in 
Florida. Elizabeth Parker married James N. 
Crandall, and died at the age of forty-six in 
her Chicago home. George H. Parker and 
Sarah Newliart Parker reside in Minnesota. 

Mr. and Mrs. Warren G. Willis are among 
the most respected people of the town, have a 
lovely home, and are surrounded by troops of 
friends, but have no children. Mr. Willis is 
an active Republican, and helped organize 
that party. He was nine years Justice of 
Peace and three terms Supervisor, and in 1875 
was sent to the State Assembly at Albany. 
Like his father, he is thoroughly alive to 
whatever concerns the town's welfare, and is 
a Trustee of the Presbyterian church, which 
the family attend. It has been said by 
Horace Greeley, a publicist whom Mr. Willis 
always admired, that "men who have great 
riches and little culture rush into business, 
because they are weary of themselves." Mr. 
Willis, however, is not open to this implied 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



287 



blame; for he believes in culture, and has 
pursued it. 

While in Minnesota, lie and liis wife joined 
the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, 
and successfully pursued a four years' course, 
graduating and receiving their diplomas from 
Dr. Vincent at Chautauqua August 15, 1887. 

This interesting biographical sketch, which 
is accompanied by a portrait of its principal 
subject, brings to remembrance the saying of 
a wise essayist : — 

"Wealth brings noble opportunities, and 
competence is a proper object of pursuit; 
but wealth, and even competence, may be 
bought at too high a price. Wealth itself 
has no moral attribute. It is not money, but 
love of money, which is the root of all evil. 
It is the relation betw-een wealth and the 
mind and the character of its possessor 
which is the essential thins.'" 




XDRKW THOMAS DOIG, a promi- 
nent citizen of Bovina, was born in 
'=JLV ^^'^ same town on May 10, 1867, 
his father being Walter L. Doig, 
a son of William Doig, and a grandson of 
Walter Andrew Doig, whose history will be 
found elsewhere in this volume. 

William Doig, the grandfather of Andrew 
Thomas, was born in Bovina. and owned the 
Doig homestead of a hundred and eighty-fi\-e 
acres, where he lived for many years, a most 
prosperous and energetic farmer. He mar- 
ried Jane Forest, who was born in Scotland 
in 181 1 or 1812, and spent the last of his life 
in Hovina Centre, where his familv attended 
the United Presbyterian church. He died 
on April 7, 1871, at sixty-three years of 
age. His son, Walter L. Doig, was born on 
March 26, 1837. Growing to manhood, he 
continued the cultivation of the old farm, and 
was considered one of the most practical men 
in the vicinity. His wife was Jane McNair, 
who was born in the town of Andes, August 
20, 1839, a daughter of Archibald and Martha 
McXair. Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Doig 
were both members of tlie United Presby- 
terian church. He held several public 
offices, was a Republican and an active poli- 
tician. He died at the age of fifty-seven at 



the old home where he was born, and where 
his widow is still living. They had four 
sons: William James, Archibald, Andrew'!'., 
and Milton A. Doig. William James Doig 
was born December 19, 1862, was educated 
in the district schools, and is still living on 
the homestead, having married on January 
27, 1890, Clara M. Sloan, who was born Oc- 
tober 4, 1868, at Bovina Centre. Her par- 
ents were David Sloan, now living in 
Colorado, and Margaret (Hillson) Sloan, who 
died in her thirtieth year. Archibald M. 
Doig was born on March 16, 1865, and died 
February 5, 1894. Milton A. Doig was born 
December 12, 1871, and resides in Bovina 
Centre, where he is a clerk in his brother 
Andrew's store. 

Andrew T. Doig, the third son of Walter 
L., was educated in the district schools, and 
lived on the old homestead until 1893, when 
he opened a store at Bovina Centre. His 
stock is estimated as worth about seven thou- 
sand dollars, and includes a large assortment 
of goods; for Mr. Doig aims to give his cus- 
tomers the best articles at the lowest prices, 
and he has built up a large trade. Strict 
attention to business and his good reputation 
make him one of the rising young men of the 
town. He is a Republican, and a member of 
the United Presbyterian church at Bovina. 
On June 20, 1894, he married Carrie E. 
Thompson, a daughter of Andrew and Mar- 
garet (Scott) Thompson. Mrs. Doig is a 
member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, 
and a further account of the family may be 
found in the sketch of William S. Thompson. 
Andrew T. Doig has won the admiration of 
his townsmen, not only as a man of intrinsic 
worth and social tact, but as one who, in the 
words of the poet Saxe, is "always doing his 
very best." 




R. HARKNFSS, junior member of the 
firm of Oliver & Ilarkness. dealers in 
staple and fancy groceries, provi- 
sions, canned goods, and crockery, is a man of 
superior business ability, and an influential 
citizen of Delhi. He was born in Kortright 
on August 27, 1845. He is descended from 
good old pioneer stock, and is of excellent 



288 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Irish extraction, the Harkness family having 
originated in Ireland, whence they emigrated 
to the United States, settling in Kortright 
about the year 1800, being among the original 
settlers of that town. His parents, though 
both bearing the surname of Harkness, were 
not related by ties of blood. His father, 
James Harkness, married Lettie Harkness, 
and was for many years one of the most ex- 
tensive land-owners of Delaware County, hav- 
ing a good farm in Kortright, and another in 
the town of Davenport. He was very suc- 
cessful, financially and otherwise, and a man 
much respected by all. He was born in Kort- 
right in 1800, and his eighty-five years of life 
were years of activity and usefulness. Of the 
twelve children born to him and his wife, 
seven are now living; namely, Charles, James, 
George, Ebenezer R., Margaret, Eliza, and 
Frances. 

Ebenezer R. Harkness, fourth son of James, 
was reared to manhood beneath the parental 
roof, the major part of the time being spent 
on the Davenport farm. He was graduated 
from the Franklin Literary Institute when 
quite young, and then engaged in teaching, 
beginning in New Jersey, where he taught 
school for a year. The following two years 
Mr. Harkness taught in the town of Daven- 
port, coming from there to Delhi, and for four 
years thereafter being one of its most success- 
ful teachers. He relinquished his position as 
instructor in the public schools to accept that 
of School Commissioner of the Second Dis- 
trict, Delaware County, an office to which he 
was elected for a term of three years. The 
duties of that responsible position were ful- 
filled so satisfactorily that he was subse- 
quently re-elected to that office for another 
three years" term. The succeeding year Mr. 
Harkness was special State agent for the 
Equitable Fife Insurance Company, the 
agency of which he resigned to embark in a 
mercantile career, forming a partnership with 
Mr. Oliver. The firm have since carried on 
an extensive and lucrative trade, their stock 
being one of the most complete in every de- 
partment of any similar store in the county. 

A man of Mr. Harkness's intelligence and 
push necessarily occupies an important place 
among the citizens of any community, and is 



often called to jjositions of trust. Thus he 
was elected Supervisor of the town of Delhi 
in 1892, and re-elected to the same office in 
1893. He is a man of good judgment and 
strong convictions, never hesitating to express 
them freely and frankly, and with all the 
vigor he can ccHnmand; and, whatever course 
he pursues in business or political matters, he 
is actuated by conscientious motives. When, 
after mature deliberation, he has found it to 
be his duty to do or refrain from doing a 
certain thing for the benefit of his constitu- 
ents, he has never swerved from his chosen 
path, as was clearly shown in the recent con- 
test for a new court-house in Delhi. Know- 
ing that his people were already laboring 
under the weight of a heavy railway tax, and 
that there was then no imperative need for a 
new building, he would not impose on them a 
further burden. Mr. Harkness was somewhat 
severely criticised at the time for not voting 
in favor of said new court-house; but that the 
soundness of his judgment and the wisdom of 
his action have since been admitted is shown 
by the outspoken expressions of many of his 
constituents. That he is a loyal citizen, of 
true public spirit, is never doubted. These 
strong points in his character, combined with 
his many allied commendable qualities, have 
rendered him very popular and successful in 
all circles of life, either business, social, or 
political. 

Mr. Harkness was united in marriage in 
1876 to Miss Libbie Sexsmith, of Kortright 
Centre, who is the presiding genius of his 
hospitable home. Both are consistent and 
valued members of the Second Presbyterian 
Church of Delhi, wherein Mr. Harkness has 
served for many years as Elder. 




B 



AMUEL I. BROWN, an enterprising 
resident of Stamford, was born in 
this town on September i, 1850, son 
of James J. and Lucina (Warren) 
His grandfather, Samuel I. Brown, 
for whom he was named, was born July 28, 
1788, and married Mary Hair, who was born 
in Rhode Island, March 7, 1792. Her family 
came by boat up the Hudson River to Albany, 
and then by ox team through the forest, cut- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



289 



ting their way part of the distance. She was 
married to Mr. 15rown on October 23, 1806, 
when he w-as only eighteen and .slie fourteen; 
and they lived awhile in the hopeful town of 
lispcraiice, in Schoharie County- The hus- 
band held a commission in tlie War of 1812, 
which came when lie was about twenty-five 
years old. He did not survi\-e it many 
years, but ilied on June 17, 1819. I lis wife 
lived over fifty years longer, till December 
18, 1870. They had five children: Bet- 
sey Brown, born February 20, 1808: Dorcas 
Brown, born December 14, 18 10; James J. 
Brown, born January 29, 1813; Mary Brown, 
born July 24, 181 5; Nancy I''.lizabeth Brown, 
who dill not come into the world till Septem- 
ber 20, 1 8 19, when her mother had been three 
months a sad widow. 

James J. lirown's birlhi)Iace was .Salone- 
ville, .Schoharie County. Being only si.x 
when his father died, the child was bound out 
as an apprentice when only nine, to learn the 
trade of w'ool carding and dressing, his master 
being Mr. Harrington, of the town of Bethle- 
hem, on Norman's Kill, in Albany County- 
With Mr. Harrington tiie boy remained till 
he was a man of twenty-one, in 1S34. He 
worked in the same place at his trade eight 
years longer, till 1842, when he moved to 
Stamford, and took charge of the clothing 
works. His next change was to Hobart, as 
superintendent in a cashmere factory; but 
after some years he went to I'rattsville, where 
he held a similar position for some years. 
Coming to Stamford, he bought a factory, 
which he carried on three years, and then 
sold, in order to take up farming. But his 
attachment to his old trade was too strong for 
him to enjoy being out of it; and in 1857, 
when nearly forty-five, he bought land on 
River Street, where he erecteil what is known 
as Brown's mills. This was his last business 
change. He was an Odtl I'"ellow, belonging 
to Hobart Lodge; and in politics he was a 
Republican. His death took place on New 
Year's Day, 1875, when he was si.\ty-two; 
but he had already been a wiilowcr eighteen 
years, his wife, Lucina Warren ]3rown, ilying 
August 14, 1857. They had four children: 
Maria Brown married Mr. Merrill for her first 
husbantl, and Charles I'arridie for her second. 



and has borne six children, of wiioni four are 
living. Tile second is .Samuel I., of this 
sketch. The third, .Adam G. Brown, married 
Adeline .Smith, now deceased, and lives in 
Detroit with his one child. The other child 
of James J. Brown died in bab\hood. 

Samuel I. Brown was educated in .Stamfori! 
Seminary, but began learning the trade of a 
clothier when only ten years old. At sixteen 
he decided to do farm work. Three years 
later, in 1869, he became clerk in a dry-goods 
store in .Stamford, where he remained till 
1874, when he bought a woollen factory near 
his father's, which he conducted till 1881, 
seven years. His next change was into a 
])artnership with H. S. Preston, keeping a 
provision market in -Stamford. In 1883 he 
bought out his [Kirtner's interest, and began 
running the business on his own account, 
meanwhile moving his family into the semi- 
nary building, where he conducted the 
boarding dejiartnient for seven years. Sub- 
sequently, he bought the Presbyterian church 
l)roperty, and remodelled the building into a 
tenement house and a meat market. In 1890 
he bought the Widow I'oote estate, and there 
built a large boarding-house, called Grey- 
court, a building measuiing thirty-six feet by 
eightv, t'nx- stories high, with accommodations 
for seventy-five boarders. 

In 1876, the centennial year, Mr. Brown 
married Mary Mackey, of -Stamford, of whose 
family a few particulars should be here set 
down. -She was born in Denning, Ulster 
Count\', but brought up in Gilboa, .Albany 
County. Her parents were Albert and .Sarah 
(Kingsley) .Mackey. -Albert Mackev was 
born the first day of July, 1824, and was the 
son of Daniel Mackey and Mary Wicks. 
Daniel Mackey was bred a farmer in Albany 
County, and continued in that pursuit all his 
life, fie li\'ed to be seventy-eight, and his 
W'ife seventy-five. They reared six children 
— Marilla, Grin, Elizabeth, Albert Aaron, 
Nancy Elizabeth, and Louisa Mackey, of 
whom fi\e survive. Albert Mackey, the sec- 
ond son and third child, was born in Albany 
CoLHity, like his father, and has followed agri- 
culture in that county, and also in .Schoharie 
and Ulster Counties, though at present he 
lives with his wife in Stamford. Of their 



290 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



three children, J. Irwin Maclvcy lives in 
Maine, Emily Mackey, wife of Orin Edwards, 
lives in Massachusetts, and Mary Mackey is 
Mrs. Samuel I. Brown. 

From this union have come two children: 
M. Louise Brown, born October 3, 1877; and 
Roy S. Brown, on November 21, 1884. The 
father is a Republican, holding for several 
years a place on the local Board of Education; 
and he and his wife belong to the Baptist 
church, though the daughter Louise is a Pres- 
byterian. Mr. Brown has a large business 
patronage, both from city boarders and provi- 
sion customers, his market being the largest 
in Stamford. It is such men as Mr. Brown 
who can say, with Oliver Goldsmith, — 

"The fortunate circumstances of our lives 
are generally found at last to be of our own 
producing." 




'AMUEL CURTIS PETTINGILL, 
M.D., is a retired physician of 
Hancock, Delaware County. His 
grandfather, Edmund Pettingill, 
was born in Massachusetts, of old Puritan an- 
cestry, and fought in the Revolution, after 
which he resumed the occupation of farming, 
and about 1785 moved to Butternuts, Otsego 
County, N.Y. A pioneer settler there, he 
cleared the land and erected buildings. He 
married a Miss Curtis, of Massachusetts, and 
both lived to be over ninety years of age. 
Their mortal remains were laid to rest in 
the old burial-ground at Butternuts. They 
were the parents of six children, their two 
sons, Edmund and Josiah, being born before 
the family moved to New York. 

Josiah Pettingill was educated in Massa- 
chusetts, and after the removal of the family 
from that State assisted his father on the 
home farm. Starting out in life for himself, 
he purchased land in Butternuts, which he 
cleared, and there built his home. His wife 
was Lydia Hawkins, of Rhode Island; and 
she became the mother of eleven children, 
namely: Fanny, who married Guile Bump, of 
Otsego County; Abigail, who married Jacob 
Bump, a brother of Guile; Lyman, whose 
wife was Phoebe Morgan, of Bennington, Vt. ; 
Alanson, who married Almira Sawyer, of But- 



ternuts; Alonzo, who became the husband of 
Lucy Davis, of Butternuts; Josiah, who died 
in childhood; Josiah, the second; lulmund; 
Samuel; Lydia, wife of Lewis Millard, of 
Butternuts; Sarah, who married and settled 
in Ohio. About 1835 the family moved to 
Ohio in teams overlantl, and settled in Kirt- 
land. Lake County; and there the venerable 
jiarents of this large family passed the even- 
ing of their lives, dying at an advanced age. 

Samuel Curtis Pettingill was born May 18, 
181 1, at Butternuts, and received his early 
education at the district school, later at- 
tending the Gilbertsville Academy. Lentil 
twenty-three years of age he remained at 
home, and assisted about the farm work. He 
commenced to practise as a physician in 
Masonville, where he lived for four years, and 
then located his office in Hancock. The 
country there being almost unsettled at that 
time, the roads were little better than deer 
paths, and accordingly the Doctor was obliged 
to make his visits on horseback, by canoe, or 
on foot. The town of Hancock then boasted 
of but one store, a hotel, a grist-mill, and a 
few scattered houses, whose inhabitants de- 
pended on the products of the land and the 
little money they could get from their lumber, 
which they rafted down the river to Phila- 
delphia, returning on foot. 

October 14, 1840, Dr. Pettingill married 
Miss Salome Hoag, daughter of Ezra and 
Charlotte (White) Hoag, of Massachusetts. 
They were married in Cannonsville, and had 
four children: Lucius L., born July 26, 1842; 
Edmund L. ; Samuel C, Jr.; and Warner, 
who was born November 19, 1846, and died 
May 22, 1853. Lucius L. married Fanny D. 
F"razier, and had four children: Alonzo, born 
November 29, 1868; Jennie L., born August 
19, 1870; Alice Edna, born January 4, 1873; 
and Samuel C, born December 31, 1874. 
He established himself in Hancock in a drug 
store, where he remained until his death, 
February 8, 1882. He is buried at River- 
view. His brother Edmund was a physician, 
a graduate of Yale in the year of 1871, and 
located his office in Hancock, marrying Miss 
Ida Allison, of that town. He died August 
16, 1881, aged thirty-one years, and is buried 
at Riverview. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



701 



Dr. Pettingill is ;i nicnibor of the Indepen- 
dent Order of Odd I'\MIo\vs, and of the Free 
Masons. He lias been on the Hoard of Edu- 
cation, and has also served as Justice of the 
Peace. .About 1S92 he retired from acti\e 
practice, having been an energetic and faith- 
ful worker in liis time; and now, lionored and 
respected, lie enjoys the comfort and peace 
deserved b\- ;i man who has spent so many 
vears in usetnl service to his fellow-beiiiLrs. 



AMluS TOW.VSICND is an influential 
resident of i\IiddIetown. Delaware 
Count)-, X.Y.. thougii his [jost-office 
address is Pine Hill, L'lster County. 
A projier sketch of this gentleman involves 
the history of the Townsend family, so we 
may begin with James's great-grandfather, 
Robert, who married Sarah Morehouse. Rob- 
ert Townsend was born in Hritlgeport, Conn., 
whence he came to Middletown in 1817. 
Here Mr. Townsend bought a grist-mill 
where the one now owned bv Mr. Doolittle 
stands. I-'or this lie ]iaid eight hundred d<d- 
lars in gold; but, as the |iroperty was under 
the cloud ol a small mortgage, the new pur- 
chaser lost it by foreclosure. Then h^- went 
into the mountains, and bought a hundred and 
thirt\- acres in the valle\' ever since known 
as TownseiuPs Hollow, where he cleared 
land, at once cutting enough timber for a log 
liousc. Tiiere were wild animals to be faced, 
as well as domestic hardships. Careful watch 
had to be kept o\-er the stock by night as well 
as day, to guard from prowlers both two- 
legged and four-legged. Nevertheless, pluck 
and perseverance overcame all obstacles; and 
I'ioneer Townsend established a reputation 
not to be forgotten in many generations. He 
raised three boys and a girl. Morris Town- 
send married .Anna Johnson. Alfred Town- 
send married Kattie Hlish. and with this line 
we are more especiallv concerned. .Seth 
Townsend married Hannah Johnson, a sister 
of his brother Morris's wife. Their sister, 
Abbie Townsend, marrietl I'"loyd .Smith. 
Their father died at fourscore, and so did his 
wife, dying, as they had lived, in the Metho- 
dist faith. I'olitically, Mr. Townsend grew 
up a Democrat; but he lived to see the rise • 



and growth of the Rejiublican party, whose 
ranks he joined in his latter years. 

Robert Townsend's son Alfred was born 
in Connecticut in 1805, eleven years before 
the removal of the Townsends to Delaware 
County. On attaining his majority, he 
bought the paternal farm from the other heirs; 
and he added more land thereto, till he owned 
some si.\ hundred acres. Of course, the new 
land had to be cleared, au'l this involved 
l)lenty of hard work: and he also gave much 
attention to pulling bark, an article greatly in 
demand for use in tanneries, as well as for 
other jiurposes. His wife was a daughter of 
Silas Hlish, and they raised four chil(h-en. 
Sylvanus Townsend married Jane Barrett, and 
had five children. ilis widow now lives on 
Pine Hill. Of Isaac Townsend more will 
present 1\- be recorded. Jane Townsend mar- 
ried Philij) Lasher, whose famil)- descent is 
elsewheie sketched in another volume: and 
one of his three children is still on the earth, 
(iiandfather Alfred Townsend lived to be 
seventy-eight, and the grandmother seventy- 
six, l^oth were Methodists, and the husband 
was a Democrat. 'Phey continued on the farm 
till the end, though during the last nine years 
it was in tiie hands of their son Isaac. 

Isaac 'Pownsend was born in (ireene County 
on September 13. 1S36. and went to school in 
a log cabin. At twenty-two he married Han- 
nah Wocdheater, the sixth child and third 
daugliter of Iv.ekiel and Het.sey (Averv) Wool- 
heater. Phe Woollieaters were among the 
early settlers, and l'"ather W'oolheater was a 
very enterprising man. He and his wife 
reared eight children - Margaret, John, Cath- 
erine, James, Noah, Hannah. Orrison, and 
Anthony Woolheater. Their father lived to 
be eight}', and their mother seventy-five: and 
they both were adhei'ents of tlie Haptist 
church. Only one child has come to Mr. and 
.Mrs. Isaac Townsend. 'Phis son, James 
Pownsend, was born June 13, 1S59, and on 
November 29, 1879, married Alice Wiuchell, 
daughter of John L. anrl Rebecca A. Win- 
chell, of Hrown .Station, l'lster County; and 
they ha\'e four children, as follows: Henrv 
.■\.. riranville. W'illobell, Rebecca A. 

On coming into possession of the home- 
stead, Mr. Isaac Pownsend greatly improved 



292 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



it, putting up new buildings; and he and his 
son James have room for twenty-five city 
boarders in their s])acious residence, known 
far and wide as the Townsend Farmhouse. 
Father and son own twin farms, about a quar- 
ter of a mile apart. On one are kept as many 
cows as there arc boarders, twenty-five; and 
on the other there are the same number of 
sheep, but only ten cows. Both father and 
son follow Grandfather Alfred Townsend in 
their Democratic politics, but in religion they 
pride themselves on their liberality. Both 
belong to the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 
233, and also to the Masonic lodge in Marga- 
rettville, No. 389. In fact they are one in 
sentiment and social tastes, more like brothers 
than like father and son. Their estates are 
in first-class condition, and are situated three 
miles from Pine Hill, and a half-mile farther 
from Griffin's Corners. It is delightful to be 
in such a home as the one here noted. 




iRS. AMELIA (BUELL) CHAM- 
BERLAIN, widow of Elijah B. 
Chamberlain, has resided in her 
present home for upward of forty 
years, and has performed with fidelity her 
duties as wife, mother, neighbor, and friend, 
winning the esteem and confidence of all 
with whom she comes in contact. Since 
her marriage to Mr. Chamberlain, which was 
celebrated in 1850, she has led a domestic 
life, attending to the duties involved in the 
care of home and children, and proved her- 
self an able coadjutor of her husband in his 
efforts to secure a home. 

In 1852 Mr. Chamberlain bought two hun- 
dred acres of the present home farm, paying 
three thousand five hundred dollars for it, but 
being obliged to run in debt two thousand five 
hundred dollars. He was eminently skilful 
and shrewd as a farmer and as a business man, 
and, after freeing himself from his indebted- 
ness, bought eighty-five acres of adjoining 
land, and continued his profitable labors in 
general farming and dairying. He placed his 
land under an excellent state of cultivation, 
and further improved it by the erection of the 
necessary buildings, and in 1878 built the 
fine barn which ornaments the place. He 



usually kept from twenty to thirty cows, and 
manufactured butter, selling it during the 
first year for thirteen cents per pound. His 
son-in-law now owns and manages the farm, 
and has enlarged the dairy to forty cows, but, 
instead of making butter, sends his milk to 
the creamery. 

Mr. Chamberlain was a native-born citizen, 
his birth occurring in 1822; and his life of 
sixty-seven years was spent within the limits 
of the town of Franklin, the date of his death 
being December 28, 1889. His parents, 
William and Sally (Bemis) Chamberlain, 
were of Connecticut birth, and after their 
marriage migrated to this county, where the 
father worked at the trade of carpenter until 
disabled by rheumatism. The mother died 
when a little over threescore years of age, the 
father surviving her, and dying at the home of 
his son Elijah in 1864, in the seventy-ninth 
year of his age. They reared five sons, only 
two of whom are now living. Enos and Re- 
becca (Chamberlain) Bemis, the maternal 
grandparents of Mr. Chamberlain, were na- 
tives of Connecticut; and both lived beyond 
the allotted threescore and ten years, he de- 
parting this life in 1848, and she passing to 
the better world September 3, 1853. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain Avas 
brightened by the birth of seven children, one 
of whom, Mariette, died June 6, 1854, at the 
tender age of three years. The record of the 
remaining children is as follows: Alice Maria 
is the wife of Charles Eveland, a farmer in 
the town of I'ranklin. William Henry, a 
widower, resides in Binghamton. Clarence 
Augustus, a farmer residing in Franklin, has 
a wife and three daughters. Mary, the wife 
of George Sanley, the owner of the homestead 
property, has two children: Grace, four years 
old; and Dwight, a little boy of three years. 
Minnie, the wife of Morris Hallock, of Mer- 
rickville, has two sons. Charles E., a farmer 
living in Franklin, has two children, a son 
and daughter. 

Mr. Sanley has continued the improvements 
already begun on the home farm, and in 1891 
built a new wagon-house. He keeps a winter 
dairy, having from fifty to sixty head of de- 
horned cattle, grade Jerseys, Holsteins, and 
some pure bloods, and feeds them on ensilage 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



:<)3 



from his large silo. lie is an cntcriirising 
and cneri;ctic farmer, carryinj; on his aj^ricuit- 
ural labors with an enthusiasm ami earnest- 
ness liiat insure his uncjucstioned success. 
Mrs. Chamberlain is a x'alued member of the 
Congregational church, of which her husband 
was a Trustee. 




1 1. LI AM COHHIC, one of Delaware 
County's energetic and exceedingly 
prosperous farmers, is the owner of 
a finel}- improved estate in the town of flam- 
den. The worldly goods of which he is jjos- 
sessed have bcL-n accumulated by the work of 
his hands and the sweat of his brow, and the 
confidence and esteem in which he is held by 
his neighbors are the result of his upright 
course in life. He was born in King's Count\', 
Ireland, in 1839, being the son of Joseph 
Cobbe, who w-as a native of (Jueen's County, 
and a life-long resident of the ICmerald Isle, 
dying there in 1887, aged eighty-three years. 
Jose])h was three times married, and had eight 
children by his first wife, Mary Short, the 
mother of William, three by his second wife, 
and foiuteen children by his third wife. 

Maria, a daughter of Joseph and Mary 
Cobbe, was the first of the family to come to 
America. .She emigrated with her huslxtnd 
in 1S47, ami settled in Ulster County, New 
York. When her brother, William Cobbe, 
was twenty years old, resolving to seek his 
fortune in the Xew World, he took jiassage in 
a sailing-vessel, ant! for seven dreary weeks 
was tossed on the broad Atlantic. fie had 
barely enough money to pay his fare to New 
York, and long ere reaching his sister's home 
in West Hurley ran out of funds. He was 
fortunate enough to find kind friends, how- 
ever; and, after reaching his destination, he 
secured work in a stone i|uarry. where he re- 
mained two years. He next hired himself 
out on a farm, receiving one hundred and 
twenty-five dollars for his first year's work. 
Mr. Cobbe was a very industrious, steady 
young man, ami continued to work out for 
eight years, his wages being increased from 
time to time, until they amounted to four 
hundred dollars annually. On January 26, 
1864, Mr. Cobbe was united in marriage to 



Miss Harriet (ioodenough, who was born in 
the Hlack River country, in the town of I.ow- 
\ille, being a daughter of William and .Maria 
(Martin) Goodenough, both natives of \cw 
\'ork. Mrs. (ioodenough, now an aged 
woman, having li\ed nearl\- eighty-four years 
on this earth, is a resident of Oneonta, and 
has been a widow for ten years, her husband 
having died in 1884, at the age of fourscore 
and three years. They reared a family of 
three sons and eight ilaughters, and of these 
children seven are now living. 

Mr. and Mrs. (.'obl)e began their wedded 
lifi' in a humble way, hiring a small house, in 
which they lived for some years, both laboring 
diligently. In 1870 Mr. Cobbe made his 
first ])urchasc of land, buying one himdied 
acres, for which he paid four thousand dol- 
lars, going into debt to the extent of three 
thousand five hundred (hilars on his farm and 
the stock which he ])ut on it. He labored 
with heroic toil in his endeavors to meet his 
ex])cnses, ami his efforts were crowned with 
success. Four years later he bought another 
tract of one hundred acres, j^aying for it 
three thousand two hundred dollars; and in 
1882 he bought still aiujther one humlied 
acres, for which he gave one thousand two 
hundred and fifty tlollars. On this valuable 
estate of three hundred acres he has placed 
many important imjjrovements. The large 
barn which he built in 1887, at a cost of three 
thousand dollars, is a handsome and con\en- 
iently arrangetl structure, eighty feet b\- forty 
feet, with a w^ng forty feet by twenty-six feel, 
and a basement, with twenty-four-feet posts 
abo\e. It has accommodations for seventy 
head of cattle and seven horses, and space for 
one hundred and fifty tons of hay. Not hav- 
ing sufficient room for all of his cattle. Mr. 
Cobbe built another stock barn in 1894, and 
now keeps on his farm eighty head of de- 
horned cattle and grade Jerseys, and milks 
from forty-eight to fifty cows, manufacturing 
a su]ierior qualit)- of butter, which he sells in 
New York. He cuts about two hundred tons 
of hay each year on this farm, which, when 
he bought it, would not yiekl sufficient hay 
to keeiJ twenty cows. 

.Six children have been born of the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Cobbe. two of whom, a son 



294 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



and a daughter, died in infancy. Four grew 
to mature life, as follows: Justus, a farm 
laborer, lives near Delhi. Willie died in 
1890, at the age of twenty-three years. 
Charles and John are both living with their 
parents, and assist in the care of the home 
farm. In his political views Mr. Cobbe is a 
decided Democrat, and religiously both he 
and his excellent wife are valued members of 
the United Presbyterian church at Mundale. 



■fT^TlRAM McFARLAND belongs to the 
l^J well-known agricultural firm of Mc- 
JL^l Farland Brothers, of Bovina, 

^— ^ Delaware County, N.Y., where 
several members of the family reside on the 
old McFarland estate. Their grandparents 
were Thomas and Elizabeth (Thompson) Mc- 
Farland. Thomas McFarland was born in 
1769, six years before the commencement of 
the war which emancipated the American 
colonies from British tyranny; but probably 
the McFarland family were not interested in 
this event, for they lived in Ireland, and 
Thomas did not come to America till 1785, 
when he was sixteen years old. Though a 
weaver by trade, he did not pursue the craft 
in this country. He married a Pennsylvania 
lady; and about the beginning of this century 
he came to that part of Delaware County now 
known as Bovina, and bought eighty-five 
acres of land, in the midst of which was a 
small clearing for a log house. The rest of 
the ground he had to clear for himself. 
Being a man of good education, he became 
one of the earliest school-masters in this 
region; but his chief attention was given to 
his land. He belonged to the Presbyterian 
church in South Kortright, was a Jeffersonian 
Democrat, lived to be nearly ninety years old, 
and died on April 11, 1858. He had ten 
children, of whom two only survive; namely, 
Mrs. Martha Boylan and Mrs. Rebecca Ormis- 
ton, both widows, one living in the State of 
Iowa, and the other in the town of Delhi. 

Thomas McFarland's son, Andrew T., was 
born on the homestead, November 15, 1805. 
He grew up on the farm, which he subse- 
quently inherited; and on January 19, 1832, 
was married to Jane Russell, who was born 



April 19, 1806, and was the daughter of 
James Russell, one of the earliest Bovina pio- 
neers, whose marriage to Nancy Ritchie, in 
1799, was the first in the new settlement. 
Mr. Russell was a stone-mason as well as a 
farmer, occupied the land where Archibald 
Erkson now lives, was a sturdy Democrat and 
an Elder in the Bovina Presbyterian church, 
and died in Delhi at fourscore years of age. 
Of his ten children the only one now living is 
Mrs. Helen Murray, of Hamden. Their 
mother died in our centennial year, having 
reached her threescore and ten. 

After his marriage Andrew T. McF"arland 
continued to live on the homestead, which 
grew under his fostering care till he owned 
nearly a hundred and eighty acres. He was 
active in town affairs, was Supervisor for two 
terms, and held minor ofifices. Like his 
father-in-law Russell, he was an elder in the 
United Presbyterian church at Bovina. In 
early life he was a Democrat, but joined the 
Republicans when he believed his old party 
faithless to solid Jeffersonian antislavery 
principles. In 1881 he passed away on Feb- 
ruary 27, aged seventy-six; but his widow 
lingered till the first day of August, 1889, 
when she was eighty-three. Of their four 
boys and as many girls six survive. 

Hiram McFarland is the oldest son, and 
was born March 5, 1833. He was educated 
in the district school and worked at home, 
finally obtaining a joint proprietorship in the 
homestead where he still lives. When nearly 
forty, on October 5, 1871, he married Rachel 
Winter, who was somewhat his senior, having 
been born in Middletown, February 24, 1827. 
She died December 29, 1891, aged sixty-four, 
leaving no children, though they had adopted 
a son, Chauncy McFarland. Hiram McFar- 
land is like his father both in religion and 
politics, being a Presbyterian and a Republi- 
can. His sister, Emily Jane McFarland, 
born October 14, 1836, is now Mrs. William 
Burns, of Delhi. The next son, Madison Mc- 
Farland, born October 2, 1839, is a carpenter 
and a Republican, and resides in Kansas 
City, Mo. Louisa McFarland was born 
March 21, 1841, and is still gracing the 
home, of which she is the attractive centre, 
having a proprietary interest in the homestead 




Erastus D. Doolittle. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



297 



and a religious interest in tlie family church. 
Andrew McFarland was nameti for his father, 
and horn December 12, 1842. He is a Re- 
publican in politics, but is lii)eral in his re- 
ligious views. In his name the agricultural 
business is carried on: for he remains on the 
old home farm, and is unmarried. Thomas 
Russell McFarland, who was born March 25, 
1845, 'il^o retains an interest in the home- 
stead, and is like his brother Andrew in po- 
litical and religious opinions; but he is a 
jeweller by trade. Two (laughters have 
passed away. IClizabeth Mci'"arland, l)orn 
September 11, 1834, died on the last elay of 
May, 1S82, on the homestead aiul unmarried. 
Indeed, it can hardly be said the McFarlands 
are given to marrying; for her sister Anna 
Maria, born December 9, 1847, died single, in 
Missouri, on February 15, 1890. 

The McF'arland brothers have a large dairy, 
owning twenty-six cows, besides attending to 
general farming. They have a good hertl of 
full-blooded and grade Jerseys, with a capital 
pedigree and record for milk production. For 
many years the okl farm-house has servetl its 
purpose, but now a more modern and showy 
residence is in process of construction. In 
reading the records of such a family as the 
McFarlands one is impressed with the pros- 
perous diversities of American life. 




RASTUS DODGE DOOLITTLE is a 

sagacious and enterprising miller in 
F"leischmanns village, in Middle- 
town, Delaware County, and was born in the 
same town in the village of Clovesville, Janu- 
ary 10, 1847. His grandparents were Joseph 
and Lorena (Dunham) Doolittle. He was 
born in Connecticut, and was trained a miller 
there, but in March, 1824, at the age of 
thirty-three, brought his knowledge to Dela- 
ware County, where first he ran a mill at Rose 
Hrook. The country being newly opened and 
Mr. Doolittle being a man of ex])erience as a 
millwright, he was sumniDned to many places 
to assist in building and starting mills. 
Among others he built the mill at Meisch- 
nianns village, now carried on by his grand- 
son Erastus, though it was put up for Noah 
Ellis. Grandfather Doolittle also houtrht a 



carding-mill at Clovesville, which he man- 
aged for nineteen years; and in that village 
he died, on October 8, 1859, not long before 
the Civil War. He was then sixty-eight 
years old, having been born in 1791, during 
Washington's first I'residential term. He 
was politically a Democrat. His wife lived 
to be fight3'-five, and both were Methodists. 
They brought into the world six children, 
namely: Allen Doolittle, who died young; 
(ieorge, of whom more is presently to be writ- 
ten; Mary Docdittle, no longer li\ing: 
Martha Doolittle, who came next in order; 
then William Dunham and Allen Cook Doo- 
little, the latter living in Massachusetts. 

The father of the special subject of this 
sketch was George Washington Doolittle, who 
was born in Burlington, Conn., before his 
father's remo\al to the Empire State, and at 
the age of twelve was bound out as apprentice 
to a wool s|)inncr and dyer, Charles W. 
Booth, in Ilobarl, Delaware County. At 
twenty he was able to work for himself in the 
town of Walpole, Norfolk County, Mass.; but 
after a time he came to Grififin's Corners, to 
be in business with his father. Here he re- 
mained till his retirement from active life. 
In 1 84 1, l'\'hruary 4, he was married to Sally 
Jane, the daughter of an enterprising farmer, 
Joseph Dodge, whose wife was .Sally Burgin. 
George and Sally J. Doolittle had children, 
whose record in brief is as follows: Mary 
Doolittle married Allen 1.. Myers, agent of the 
Kingston granite ([uarry, and has one child. 
ICrastus D. is the miller at l'"leischmanns. 
Clara Doolittle is the wife of l'~letcher Hill, of 
I'rattville, and has borne seven children, of 
whom four are living, .'\llen -Sanford Doo- 
little li\es at Ciriffin's Corners, and has one 
child by his wife, Clara Todd. Loretta Doo- 
little is the wife of C. H. X'ermilya, sketched 
in another section, the station agent at Grififin's 
Corners, but has no children. Martha l-' ranees 
and Olive Burgin Doolittle have passed into 
the better land. Their father was the Republi- 
can Postmaster in Clovesville fourteen vears, 
and in religious matters was a free-thinker. 

Erastus Dodge Doolittle bears his mother's 
family name. He went to the district school 
awhile, and then began carving out his own 
fortune. In 1 871, at the age of twenty-four. 



298 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



he began working for his father in the carding- 
mills. Subsequently he purchased of John 
Vandermark the site of the old mill which 
Grandfather Doolittle had built long before; 
and then he began grinding corn, wheat, 
buckwheat, and fertilizers on his own account, 
besides doing a great deal of custom work. 
The protlucts are shijijied to many places, but 
mostly to Maryland and Washington. In the 
decade from 1875 to 1885 Mr. Doolittle did 
an immense business, and is still shipping a 
hundred tons of buckwheat flour southward 
every winter. In addition to his mill he 
owns the store on the opposite side of the 
street, and a blacksmithy and coojier's shop 
near by. His wife, Elizabeth Jane Person, 
was born January 11, 1S4J. She was the 
daughter of John A. and Mary (Osterhoudt) 
Person, of Clov-esville, where the father, a 
Democrat, kept a store and hotel, and was 
foremost in all local affairs. He died in mid- 
dle life, aged forty-eight, leaving three chil- 
dren — Charles, George, and Elizabeth. His 
widow was married the second time to Judge 
W. A. Ten Broeck, of whom a separate sketch 
mav be found in this volume. 

Mr. and Mrs. Erastus D. Doolittle have 
been blessed with nine children, of whom six 
are still on the earth. George Person Doo- 
little was born February 29, 1870, married 
Ada Jenkins, has one child, and has lived at 
Fleischmanns and in Stamford. Mary Doo- 
little was born December ig, 1S74: Kate 
Doolittle on February 28, 187S; Anna on 
January 22, 1880; Frank on April 9, 1882: 
Joseph on January 11, 1889. Charles, Allen, 
and Freddy died in childhood. In politics 
their father is a Republican, and his religion 
is practical rather than theological. 

The life-like portrait of Mr. Doolittle on a 
preceding page shows a vigorous scion of good 
New England stock, a man yet in the prime 
of life, whose career has been characterized 
by industry, growth, anil prosperity. 



'AMUEL TERRY, a substantial 
farmer and highly respected citizen 
of Walton, has spent the major part 
of his existence within the limits of 
that town, watching the growth and develop- 




ment of this section of the county with a deep 
and personal interest, and contributing his 
share toward bringing the town to its present 
prosperous condition. He was born in Terry 
Clove, in the town of Hamden, July 19, 
1829, and is a son of Samuel Terry, a native 
of the same place. Mr. Terry is of New Eng- 
land stock, and the descendant of a pioneer of 
Delaware County, his paternal grandfather. 
Urbane Terry, having removed from Connecti- 
cut, the State of his nativity, to Hamden, 
when this portion of the county was in its 
virgin wildness. He was accompanied by 
Gilbert Townsend, and each took up a tract of 
land in that part of the town afterward known 
as Terry Clove. There he built a log house, 
into which he moved with his wife and two 
children, and in which the remaining children 
of his family were born. In the course of 
time he cleared and improved a farm from the 
forest, remaining there until his death,- in 
September, 184O, at the ripe old age of four- 
score years. At the time of his settlement in 
Hamden his nearest neighbors were some dis- 
tance away, the new settlement of DeLancey 
being five miles distant, and Pepacton eight 
miles in another direction. He married Hul- 
dah Tiff; and they reared eight children — 
Nathan, Elihu, Darius, Samuel, Bane, 
Ovanda, Loretta, and Lucinda. 

Samuel Terry, Sr., was reared to agricult- 
ural pursuits, assisting his father in uproot- 
ing the giant trees and clearing the land for 
tillage purposes, remaining beneath the pa- 
rental roof until becoming of age. He then 
bought a tract of land, and for many years 
thereafter worked hard to improve it. He 
subsequently sold his first farm, and, buying 
another, on Mallory Brook, there carried on 
general farming for some time, meeting with 
varied success until his demise, which oc- 
curred when he was fifty-six years old. His 
wife was in her maiden days known as Abigail 
Signor, being a daughter of Jacob Signor. 
Her parents were of German origin, and reared 
nine children — Susan, Catherine, Albert, 
John, Jane, Thomas, Mary, Theodorus, and 
Abigail. Mr. Signor was-a farmer by occupa- 
tion, but spent the last years of his life retired, 
in Terry Clove. The parental household of 
our subject included twelve children : Abigail ; 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



299 



Jane; Julia, who died when three years old; 
Theodore; Catherine; Dow; Marcus; Harri- 
son; Samuel; Calder; I'^Tris; and Wesley. 
The mother was a devoted member of the 
Presbyterian church. She s[)cnt her declining 
years in Hamden, living in ease and comfort, 
and died at the venerable age of eighty-eight. 

Samuel Terry attended the district school 
of his native town, and in common with other 
farmers' sons early became familiar with the 
general labors of a farm, lie assisted his 
father until the death of the latter, and then 
went to Colchester, where he engaged in 
farming for nearly twenty years, in addition 
to the lumber business. On April 5, 1869, 
Mr. Terry took possession of his present farm, 
and industriously and energetically set about 
its improvement, in the course of time receiv- 
ing due reward for his labors. He rebuilt the 
house, erected a new barn, and established a 
fine dairy, which now consists of fort3'-nine 
Molstein and Jersey cattle. The milk is sent 
to the creamery at Walton.- 

The union of Mr. Terry with Agues C. 
Holmes was'solemnized April 9, 1863. Mrs. 
Terry is of Scotch descent, and is a daughter 
of Walter and Elizabeth (Blair) Holmes, who 
were prosperous farmers in Delhi. Walter 
Holmes was born in Paisley, Scotland, and at 
the age of seventeen years came to this county 
with his father, John Holmes, who, bringing 
his wife and two children, located on Scotch 
Mountain, in Delhi, being one of the earliest 
settlers. His son Walter succeeded him in 
the possession of the homestead, which he 
improved, there spending his remaining da}s. 
He and his wife reared eight children; 
namely, Mary, William, Thomas, John, Eliza- 
beth, Archibald, I'Ibenezer, and Agnes. The 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Terry has been bright- 
ened by the birth of three children: Lizzie 
Abbie, who married W. D. Burns, of Walton, 
and who is the mother of two children — .Mil- 
dred and Aubrey; .Samuel '1'.. formerlv a 
clerk, but now engaged in farming on the 
homestead; Walter I... a young man of fine 
mental ability, is taking the scientific course 
at Schenectady College. Before her mar- 
riage Mrs. Burns was a very successful 
teacher in the public school. 

Mr. Terrv, who is warmlv interested in the 



temperance cause, uniformly casts his vote 

with the Prohibition party.' Religiously, he 

is a very active and esteemed member of the 
Presbyterian church. 



;j]Y'-*'JN BKOWX, an Imnored citizen and 
successful farmer, was born in Dum- 
Iriesshire, Scotland, Sejjtember 9. 
1832, a son of Robert and Agnes (Me- 
Cheyne) Brown, both natives of the same shire. 
Robert Brown came to America in 1835. and 
first settled in Prattsville, working in Colonel 
Pratt's family. He lived there about three 
years, and then moved to Meredith, where he 
bought a farm of two hundred acres, upon 
which he spent the last years of his life, 
dying at the age of eighty-six years. His 
widow died November 24, 1894, on the same 
farm, at the age of ninety years. They were 
both members of the L'nited Presbyterian 
church, and he was a Rejjublican in politics. 
Their family comprised eight children, but 
lour of whom are now living; John, the sub- 
ject of this sketch; Marion, the wife of James 
Ainslee, a resident of the town of Delhi; 
Jane, the wife of James Murdock, a farmer 
residing in Kortright; and William M. 
Brown, who resides in the town of .Meredith, 
and is engaged in farming on the old home- 
stead. 

John Brown received his educati(jn at the 
district schools of Meredith and Delhi. He 
assisted on the farm, and lived at home until 
he was twenty-one years of age. December 
10, 1857, he married Sarah A. Gritfin, of 
Kortright, a daughter of William Griffin, who 
was an early settler of the town, but who is 
now deceased, as is also his wife. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Brown were born three children; 
Martha Jane, who died when six years old; 
Cora A., the wife of !■;. M. Powell, a hard- 
ware dealer in l^looniville ; ami Robert Will- 
iam, who is a farmer. 

Since becoming the owner of the farm 
where he now resides. Mr. l^rown has added 
to it, and made extensive improvements. At 
first there were but one hundred and sixteen 
acres; but he has purchased land until he now 
owns one hundred and fifty-six acres. The 
dairy comprises thirty head of grade Jersevs, 



300 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



and averages two hundred and twenty-five 
pounds of butter per head per year. For ten 
years Mr. Brown lived in the log house which 
was on the phice when he came, but by en- 
ergy and hard work, combined with skill and 
foresight, has achieved success, and has 
erected all the buildings and his spacious 
residence. Both he and his wife are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bloom- 
ville. Politically, he is a stanch adherent of 
the Republican party. 




,ALEB HRUNDEGK, an intelligent, 
. practical farmer, proprietor of one 
'is hundred and eighty well-tilled acres 
in the town of Tompkins, N.Y., 
was born May lO, 1842, in the adjoining town 
of Masonville, son of James D. Brundege, 
who was a native of Saratoga, N.Y. The first 
Brundege in this country came from Holland 
and settled on Long Island before the Revolu- 
tionary War. He raised a family of thirteen 
sons. One of his descendants, Daniel Brun- 
dege, the father of James D., was born in 
Saratoga, and when but a youth engaged in 
farming in that town. A few years later he 
bought land in Coxsackie, Greene County, 
where he was one of the first settlers, and 
assisted in the raising of the first frame build- 
ing by the square rule. The father of Daniel 
Brundege was a stanch patriot at the time of 
the Revolution; and a band of Indians and 
Tories, knowing this, came and plundered his 
house of all they could find, the family, with 
the exception of Daniel, who was but a small 
boy, and his little sister, having fled to the 
mountains to hide their clothes in the rocks. 
Mr. Brundege lived to the advanced age of 
eighty-four years, and died at the home of his 
son, James D., in Masonville. 

James D. Brundege came when a boy with 
his parents to Coxsackie, where he attended 
the district schools of the town, afterward 
assisting his parents on the home farm, and a 
few years later working in the grist-mill. 
When twenty-two years of age, he married 
Hannah Pierce, of Coxsackie: and by this 
marriage there were eight children, namely: 
Mary, who married Abraham Teed, of Mason- 
\ille; Levi, who married Fayette Dibble, of 



Masonville; Sarah Jane, who married Debias 
Finch, of Tompkins; James C, who died 
when twenty-one years of age; Cordelia, who 
married Edward Pierson, of Masonville; 
Caleb, the subject of this sketch; Perline, 
who died when ten years of age; and Fields, 
who married Abbie Hoag, of Tompkins. 

Caleb Brundege received an education such 
as the farmers' sons of his day obtained at the 
district schools of the town, and, until he 
started in life for himself, assisted his father 
on the home farm. He first purchased fifty 
acres from his father; and, as he grew in ex- 
perience and desired a wider field for his 
labors, he sold this and finally bought one 
hundred and eighty acres in Tompkins, where 
he resides at the present day. On November 
26, 1855, he married Helen Sutton, daughter 
of Sherman and Laurana (Folkerson) Sutton, 
of Hancock. Sherman Sutton's father, Caleb 
Sutton, was born in Westchester County, New 
York, was one of the earliest settlers in Han- 
cock, and a resident and respected citizen of 
that town until his death. He married Sally 
Ann Flatenburg, a descendant of one of the 
earliest settlers of New York State. Sher- 
man Sutton attended the district school of 
his native town, and started for himself in 
farming at an early age. He married Lau- 
rana Folkerson, daughter of Joseph Folker- 
son, in the town of Hancock; and, coming 
from East Branch in 1845, he. bought a tract 
of timber land in Tompkins, where he engaged 
in the timber business for a few years, and 
then started a hotel on Trout Creek road. 
This last was not such a success financially as 
the former had been; and in a short time he 
gave it up, and went back to the lumber busi- 
ness. He now lives at the home of his son, 
Wallace Sutton, at Cannonsville, practically 
a retired lumber dealer. His daughter Helen 
was educated in her native town, and resided 
with her parents until her marriage. 

Mr. and Mrs. Brundege have four children. 
The eldest, Watson J., who was born in Ma- 
sonville, December 8, 1866, married Maggie 
J. Peck, of Tompkins. .Sherman, born in 
Masonville, July 20, 1869, married Alice 
Scofield, and is engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness at Granton. Lorena M., their only 
daughter, was born in Tompkins, December 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



301 



5, 1875. Jasper, the youngest son, who lives 
at home with his parents, was born in Tomj)- 
kins on June 1, 1879. Mr. Biundegc is in- 
terested in all that concerns the welfare of 
the town, and has held ofifices of trust. Both 
he and his estimable wife are descended from 
early I3utch settlers of New York, and, like 
their ancestors, are respected and honored 
members of the community in which they live. 




RANK II. Me I.]-:.AN. son of John and 
MleaiKir (Hurr) McLean, is a note- 
worthy citizen and merchant of the 
village of Arena, in Middletown, Delaware 
Comity, N.Y., where he was born September 
13, 1857. His grandparents, Alexander and 
Christina McLean, were .Scotch, and came to 
America in 1836, being eight weeks on the 
voyage. 

.Soon after landing in New \'ork Citv, Mr. 
Alexander McLean came to Arkville, Dela- 
ware County, and speedily found work as a 
blacksmith, having learned the trade in the 
old countr)-. .\fter two years in Arkville he 
went for a season to Clark"s factory, still pur- 
suing the same calling; but later he bought 
the hundred - and - eighty - five - acre farm in 
Arena, still known by his name. There he 
built the first house and barn, cleared the 
land, and became a prosperous agriculturist. 
In politics a Democrat, and in religion a 
Presbyterian, he lived to the good age of 
seventy-four, his wife living to be a decade 
older. Ten children blessed their ingleside: 
Alexander, named for the father: Isabella; 
Jeannette; Christina, named for her mother; 
John, father of Frank H.; James; Andrew; 
Mary; David; and George. From farming 
John McLean naturally drifted into lumber- 
ing, antl for thirty years has been tiie superin- 
tendent of the saw-mills near Arena, enabling 
him to thoroughly jjrepare the lumber he pur- 
chases for the market. In politics he is a 
Democrat. He married Ivleanor Hurr, a 
daughter of Cyrus Rurr; and they raised two 
children, of whom Frank II. McLean, the 
subject of this sketch, is the elder, the other 
being his sister, Mary Christina McLean, 
named for her grandmother McLean, and still 
living at home. 



Frank H. McLean was educated in the pub- 
lic schools. After passing his majority, he 
began a new career as clerk for I-"letcher & 
Burr, general merchants, the junior member 
of the firm being his cousin. At the end of a 
coujile of years Mr. Fletcher bought Mr. 
Burr's share of the business, and for five years 
he continued in the employ of Mr. h'letcher. 
Then there was another change, and for two 
years he was with l-"letcher & Fllswortii. lu 
1891 Mr. .McLean |)urchased the hardware 
store ol Mr. I*";. Burr, and has since conducted 
the only store of this kind in the neighbor- 
hood, dealing in agricultural implements and 
vehicles of every de.scrii)tion. With the store 
is connected a tin sho]), where the trade is 
daily on the increase. .As an energetic and 
honorable dealer .Mr. McLean is highly re- 
spected in the community. 



I'lSSI-; O. BLRROWS was born March 
29. 1830, in Deposit, and was the son 
of Whitman Burrows, who was born in 
the same town, then known as Tomp- 
kins, and was the son of I'eris Burrows. 
Whitman Burrows, the father of the subject of 
this sketch, received liis education at the dis- 
trict schools of his town, and, being the el- 
dest son of the family, assisted his father on 
the farm, remaining at home until his mar- 
riage with Ph(tbe^\Vhitaker, daughter of Jesse 
and Chloe (Hecock) Whitaker. He then 
bought a ]K)rtion of his father's farm, and 
there carried on farming, lumbering, and 
dairying very extensively. Mr. and .Mrs. 
Whitman Burrows had five children: Jeanette, 
who married Abram Cable, of Deposit; Fd- 
wanl. who married .Antoinette Wiest, and set- 
tled in Deposit; Jesse C). ; Deborah; and 
Sophrona, who married Leonard Walker, of 
Deposit. 

Jesse O. Burrows received much the s:ime 
education as was given his father, attend- 
ing the district school, and helping with the 
work on the farm until he was sixteen years of 
age. Being a youth of great ambition and 
more than ordinary ability, he then started in 
active life for himself, first working in saw- 
mills for daily wages. But this slow progress 
did not long satisfy him. He saw the advan- 



302 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



tages to be gained in lumbering and farming; 
and in 1864, having amassed sufficient means, 
he bought the farm upon which he now re- 
sides, which contains a homestead lot of sixty- 
four acres of highly cultivated land and a hill 
farm of two hundred and thirty-seven acres. 

October 2, 1851, Mr. Burrows married 
Frances C. Peters, daughter of Henry and 
Almira (Hulce) Peters. Mr. and Mrs. Bur- 
rows have two children — Cora Belle and Arba 
G. Cora married George Chamberlin, of 
Franklin, where they now reside with their 
three children — Burr B., Ross B., and Lynn. 
Arba G. married Ouintilla Apperson, of Mar- 
linton, VV. Va., a furniture manufacturer and 
dealer, a prominent man in the affairs of the 
town; they have one child, Jessie J. 

The grandfather of Mrs. Jesse O. Burrows 
was John Peters, who married Betsy Smith, 
of Bushkill, Pa., and removed from that place 
to Sanford, Broome County. He there estab- 
lished a grist-mill, and did farming and lum- 
bering on a very large scale, being successful 
to such a degree that he retired from business 
life several years before his death, which oc- 
curred in Deposit when he was sixty-five years 
of age. Henry Peters, son of John and the 
father of Mrs. Burrows, started in business 
life when a very young man, purchased a farm 
on the "Jersey side" of the Delaware River 
in Tompkins, where he had an extensive lum- 
ber business. He owned his saw-mill, and 
transformed the lumber into boards, which 
he sent to the Philadelphia market. Henry 
Peters married Almira Hulce, daughter of 
Sylvester and Penninah (Hotchkiss) Hulce, of 
the town of Deposit. 

Mr. and Mrs. Burrows are members of the j 
Presbyterian church, and in politics he is a ' 
firm Republican. Mr. Burrows's success in 
life has been due to his own hard labor and the 
sound sense which has led him to make good use 
of his opportunities, to work and not dawdle, 
to mind his own business and do it well. 



iORNFLlUS D. REYNOLDS, of 
Roxbury, N.\'., belongs to a family 
.which came originally from the 
Last, and has since become well | 
known in the annals of Delaware County. 




Martin Reynolds was the pioneer of the fam- 
ily in New York. He secured farming lands 
in Bovina, and there lived and died. His life 
was an interesting one, full of those incidents 
and adventures which characterize the career 
of a pioneer farmer. William Reynolds, son 
of Martin Reynolds, was born in Bovina, and 
lived with his father until he became of age, 
when he moved away, and settled for a time 
at New Kingston. He then bought an unde- 
veloped farm of one hundred and fifty acres in 
Bovina, and immediately set to work to bring 
out the resources of the place. He put up 
new buildings, cleared the land, and improved 
it generally. Then he sold out, and moved 
to Andes and bought the Warren Weaver 
farm. This property was also in need of im- 
provement. During the twenty years that he 
lived here he made the estate very valuable by 
his well-directed efforts in building and in 
working on the land. 

Mr. Reynolds now made a radical change in 
his policy, and determined to move out West. 
He accordingly went to Michigan, and settled 
on a new- and very fertile farm of some one 
hundred and twenty acres. He lived in this 
new Michigan home till his death, at the age 
of sixty. He was a Republican, and a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. Early 
in life Mr. Reynolds had married Jane De- 
mond, daughter of Cornelius and Polly 
(Neapes) Demond, by whom he had ten chil- 
dren : Cornelius D. ; Mary E. ; Caleb and 
Richard, twins; Julia; Libbie; John W. ; 
George W. ; William; and Manerina. Mrs. 
Jane Demond Reynolds is still living (1894) 
on the Michigan farm, being now eightv-five 
years old. 

Mr. Cornelius D., son of William and Jane 
Reynolds, was born in Middleton, New Kings- 
ton, on September 15, 1849. He received 
his early education at the district school in 
Bovina. At the age of twelve young Corne- 
lius went to live with his grandfather De- 
mond, for whom he worked nine years, until 
he was twenty-one, and then stayed three 
)ears longer, making twelve years in all. At 
the age of twenty-five Cornelius D. Reynolds 
married Mary E. Tyler, a daughter of Henry 
and Deborah Tyler, who lived in New Kings- 
ton, near the boundary line between that 



BIOGRAPHICAI, REVIEW 



,303 



villa;;c and Roxbury, their farm hriiii;' in Rox- 
buiy. Mr. Tyler was a Republican in poli- 
tics, a Methodist in religimi; and he lived 
to the aj;e of sevent\-five. Mrs. Reynolds 
had nine brothers and sisters. 

Mr. Reynolds after his marriage bought 
the \'an Dyke farm of one hundred and 
seventy-five acres. He lived on this estate 
and worked it for one year, and then sold it 
and bought a farm of one hundred and twenty- 
seven acres in Middletown, just alio\e New 
Kingston. lleie he lived foui' years, and so 
improved the place that, when he sold it, he 
was enabled to buy two hundred acres of live 
land at Manor Kill in Schoharie County. 
Here Mr. Reynolds met with a sad loss, for 
Mrs. Reynolds was thiown from a catriage 
while riding, and died trom the effects of 
the accident in the thirtieth year of her age, 
leaving one son, George II., who is a ]>hysi- 
cian at Delhi. Mr. Reynolds remained only 
four months at Manor Kill. After a year in 
Prattsville, he marrieti for his second wife 
Amanda C. Craft, daughter of Captain Will- 
iam II. Ci'aft. Mr. Reynolds afterward pur- 
chased the Bloomberg farm in Johnson Hol- 
low. This he kept four years, anil then sold 
it. By his second marriage he has two sons, 
Charles F., who is in a drug store at Delhi, 
and William E., who lives at iiome. 

The farm which Mr. Reynolds now owns he 
bought in 1874. It contains two hundred and 
twenty-seven acres of land, antl lies about two 
and a half miles from Roxbur\', near Stratton 
Falls. Mr. Reynolds has put upon this farm 
the results of a long and varied experience in 
agriculture, and in consequence has one of the 
finest estates in the region. He keeps forty 
cows and a number of sheep. Tlie land, 
which is nearly all cleared and cultivated, is 
in first-class condition. In j-jolitics Mr. Rey- 
nolds is a Democrat. As a citizen and neigh- 
bor he is well known and well liked in Rox- 
burv and the neighboring countrv. 




[LLIAM IIARING, a well-known 
carpenter of the town of Xorth 
Walton, Delaware County, N.^'.. 
was born in New \'ork City, December 25, 
1828, his parents being John and Mary 



( Hall ) Haring. John Haring was of I^nglisli 
birth, coming to this country when quite a 
young man, and taking up liis residence in 
I'aterson, .N'.J., where he followed his trade of 
tinsmith and coppersmith. He continued in 
business for himself four years, during which 
time he met with success. Mr. Haring mar- 
ried i\Iiss Mary Hall, a daughter of Walter 
Hall, of Ivngland, and reared tiie following 
family: Ann, married to William Odell, of 
Jersey City; William, the subject of this 
sketch; and Mary Jane, the wife of David 
Byard, of I'aterson, N.J. Mr. Haring ilied 
when his son William was six years old. 
Mrs. Haring spent her last years in I'aterson, 
where she died at the age of sixty-five. 

At the age of ten }ears W'illiain Haring 
went to resiile in the town of Walton, sjjend- 
ing three years in the employ of Mr. Weed, 
and then for four years worked foi- Mr. John 
Townsend. He afterward went to I'aterson, 
N.J., where he worked as an ap]irentice at the 
trade ot car])enter, eventually going back to 
Walton and then to Binghamton, the year 
1S58 finding him at l-'ranklin, Delaware 
County. On the 9th of August, 1862, he 
enlisted in Company K, One Hundred antl 
Twenty-first New \'ork X'olunteer Infantrv, 
being attached to the Army of the I'otomac, 
Second Brigaile, I'"irst Division, Sixth Army 
Corps, under the command of General Sedg- 
wick. Mr. Haring was in some of the most 
severe engagements of the war, among them 
being the first battle of Cranton Pass, Antie- 
tam, P'redericksburg, Salem Heights, Salem 
Church, Gettysburg, Rai)pahannock .Station. 
Locust (jrove, .Mine Run, Wilderness, -Sjiott- 
sylvania, Myers Hill, .North .Anna, Cold 
Harbor, l'"isliers Hill, Petersburg, and the 
surrender of Lee at Apjiomattox. In all the 
severe fighting in which he took jiart, he was 
only woimded once. He was honorably dis- 
charged from the army. June 25, 1865, at 
Paul's Hill, near Washington, D.C., retain- 
ing the rank in which he had entered the 
ami}', that of ]irivate. Although he was of- 
fered ])romotion to a higher grade, he refused 
to acci'])t it. -At the conclusion of the war, 
he came to his i)resent home, and went to 
work at his original trade of car]icntr\', at 
which he continueil for nianv vears, or imtil 



304 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



ill health compelled him to retire from active 
life. 

Mr. Ilaring was married November 15, 
1849, to Nancy M. Wood, a daughter of Ben- 
jamin and FAsey (Hoyt) Wood, of New 
Canaan. Of this union one child survives, 
Willis II., who married Nellie Rowley, and 
has two children: Maud A. and Annie M. 
Mr. Haring is a member of Warren Post, No. 
209, Grand Army of the Republic. In poli- 
tics he is a strong supporter of the Republi- 
can party. In his religious views he is a 
Congregationalist. He is a man of deep pa- 
triotism and of unflinching integrity, having 
the courage of a man blended with the tender- 
ness of a child. 






kARTIN FORSTER, a carpenter of 
lancock, and a veteran of the 
late war, was born in Milford, 
.uzerne County, Pa., September 
16, 1 84 1. His father, Christian Forster, came 
to America from Germany in 1839, landing in 
New York after a stormy passage of seven 
weeks. He worked in that city at his trade 
as a baker for a time, and later went to Mil- 
ford, Pa. He there engaged in manufacturing 
umbrella sticks, the wood for which was cut 
from the timber near the town. This was 
worked into the sticks by means of a lathe 
which was operated by foot power. After a 
while he returned to New York, whence he 
moved to Honesdale, Pa., where he died at 
the age of fifty- seven years. He was a man 
of upright life, beloved and respected by all 
who knew him. His wife, Hannah Sheble, 
was also a native of Germany; and she still 
survives, residing at the home of her daugh- 
ter, Hannah .Shafer, in Hancock. Mr. and 
Mrs. Christian Forster were the parents of 
seven children — Martin, John, Catherine, 
Christian, Clara, Conrad, Hannah — and three 
others who died in infancy. 

Martin Forster spent his boyhood in Hones- 
dale, Pa., where he attended school, and as- 
sisted his father in supporting the family. 
He first went to work in the umbrella factory, 
where he received as a salary fifty cents a week. 
Inheriting from his father a love for fishing, 
he spent all his leisure at this sport, selling 



his fish, and thereby increasing considerably 
his income. In 1863, when the three months' 
men were called out to repel General Lee's 
invasion of Pennsylvania, he volunteered at 
Honesdale, and was ordered to Harrisburg on 
the way to Gettysburg. The news then came 
that the battle of Gettysburg had been fought, 
and Lee had retreated; and accordingly Mr. 
Forster returned with his regiment to his 
home, without participating in any active 
fighting. He resumed his old occupation, 
but in February, 1864, enlisted for three years 
in the One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment, 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was ordered 
with them to Philadelphia, where they were 
detained in crowded barracks without exercise 
or fresh air, and with but little food. He then 
joined his regiment at Washington, D.C., 
and, while there as a raw recruit, was the 
victim of many laughable experiences. His 
regiment, being overfilled, was divided, the 
new men being organized into a section called 
the second division of the One Hundred and 
Twelfth Regiment. 

Mr. Forster as a member of this section 
was ordered with his comrades to Alexandria, 
Va. This regiment first engaged in active 
service in the battle of the Wilderness; but 
owing to some misunderstanding its men 
were not allowed to draw rations from the 
government, and accordingly suffered untold 
privations. They were obliged to raid wagon 
trains and barnyards to obtain enough food to 
barely keep them alive. F"rom the Wilder- 
ness they were ordered to Cold Harbor, where 
the rebels attacked their rear guard, which 
gallantly defended their line of march. Food 
was so scarce that twenty-five cents was 
offered for a single piece of hard tack and five 
dollars for a part of a ham. On being with- 
drawn from Cold Harbor, the company was 
ordered to Petersburg, Va., where they arrived 
in time to take part in the assault of June 17. 
Here they were fifth in line, the regiment los- 
ing eight hundred men in five minutes, and 
also their colors, which they fortunately re- 
captured that evening. The following morn- 
ing they were complimented by General Grant 
for the recovery of their colors, and after that 
they were allowed to draw rations from the 
government. Mr. Forster was then engaged 




WiLLiflffi Fuller. 




Mrs Elizabeth Fuller. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



309 



on picket duty and in jjuililing breastworks 
until July 30, when the fortifications were 
blown up, and again his regiment lost heav- 
ily, there being no officer in his company of 
higher rank than a sergeant at the close of the 
engagement. The regiment was next ordered 
to Weldon Railroad, it having been reduced 
from seventeen hundred to five hundred men; 
and these survivors were united with the vet- 
eran One Hundred anil Twelfth Regiment. 
They occupied Butler's Lookout Station, and 
thenceforth participated in only a few skir- 
mishes. After the close of the war the com- 
panies were distributed through the lower 
counties of Virginia to maintain order. The 
regiment was mustered out of service in Janu- 
ary, 1866, and the men were dischargeti at 
Philadelphia in February. Alter two )-ears 
of active labor in his country's cause Mr. 
I<"orster then returneil home, and resumed his 
former occupation. 

November 17, 1866, he married Barbra 
I""isc]ier, daughter of P'rederick I^'ischer, of 
Te.xas 'I'ownship, Pa.; and they were the par- 
ents of seven children — Minnie, Margaret, 
Clara, Christian, Dora, Lena, and Louise. 
Mrs. P^irster passed away November 14, 1891, 
and is buried in Hancock. Mr. Forster is a 
cari)enter by trade, and has followed that oc- 
cupation in various towns in the vicinity of 
Hancock. His faithful service in the war has 
been in some measure rewarded by the pension 
which he receives from the government, and 
as a man and a soldier he has ever been held 
in highest regard and esteem by his comrades 
and fellow-citizens. 




,\rA;/ll.LIAM FCLLER, one of the lead- 
ing farmers of the town of Mason- 
ville, Delaware County, was l)orn 
in Sanford, in the adjoining county of 
Hroome, October 28, 1838, son of Wilder and 
Sylvia (King) Fuller. His |xUernal grand- 
father, Simeon Fuller, who was born in the 
State of Connecticut, and was a soldier in the 
War of 18 1 2, settled in Harpersfield, Dela- 
ware CoLUity, in the early days, but spent a 
large part of his life in Hroome County. He 
was a farmer, and also worked at the trade of 
a carpenter, and was successfid in his pur- 



suits. He spent his last days at the home (jf 
his son Wililer, where he died when about 
eighty years of age. He married Nancy liird- 
sall, a native of Har|)erstield; and she also 
lived to a good old age. They reared three 
sons and five daughters, all of whom grew to 
maturity, and were married; but not one of 
them is now living. Mrs. Simeon Fuller 
was a Haptist in religion; while her husband 
was of liberal faith, and in jxilitics was a 
Democrat. 

Wilder I'uller was born in Harpersfield, 
August 19, 1809, an:l Ii\ed at home with his 
l)arents, was educated in the tiistrict schools, 
and was reared to habits of useful industry. 
Me continued working with his father till he 
attained his majority. After his marriage he 
bought his first land in the town of Sanford, 
Broome County, a farm of sixty acres, which 
he occupied about sixteen years. He re- 
moved in the spring of 1854 to Masonville, 
and bought the farm on which liis son Will- 
iam now lives. It then consisted of one hun- 
dred and twenty acres, about one-half wild 
and unimproved, and but poorly furnished 
with buildings. He set to work with a reso- 
lute will, and by dint of well-directed, per- 
sistent Labor developed an excellent farm. 
At the time of , his death, July 22, 1892, he 
owned two hundred acres. He held an official 
position in the ]5a])tist church, of which he 
was an earnest and lilieral sup[)orter, his wife 
also being a member. In politics he was a 
Republican. 

Sylvia King, whom he married December 
27, 1837, was born in Sanford, Broome 
County, April 8, 1817. Mrs. Fuller survives 
her husband, and resides on the old home 
farm. They reared four children, two of 
whom are now living, namely: William Ful- 
ler, in Masonville; and the Rev. Andrew K. 
Fuller, a Baptist minister in Newburg, N.V. 
A daughter, Clarissa M. Fuller, died at 
nearly thirty years of age, and a son, Jerome 
B., just before reaching the age of twenty- 
one. 

William was the eldest s<in of his jjarents. 
He spent his childhood and early \'outh in his 
native town, Sanford, there receiving his ele- 
mentary education, and came with his parents 
to Masonville at fourteen years of age. Here 



3IO 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



he had a little more schooling, and after that 
worked on the farm, remainini( at home till 
twenty-live years old. 

His natural aptitude for mechanics found 
scope at this juncture in the carpenter's trade, 
which he learned, and followed for some 
years, giving it up at length, except the work 
of building and repairing needed on his own 
place. After his marriage he bought a farm 
of one hundred and thirty acres in Masonville, 
and lived on it two years. Selling it then, 
he moved into the village of Masonville, and 
engaged in the manufacture of builders' mate- 
rials and doing contract work. After carry- 
ing on this business about six or seven years, 
he disposed of his property in the village, 
and, moving back on the old home farm, took 
care of his parents. He now owns the old 
homestead, and, having added to it by pur- 
chase of adjoining lands, is now the possessor 
of three hundred and thirty acres, one of the 
largest farms in this part of the county. He 
keeps about fifty head of cattle, including 
about forty cows. Jerseys and Holsteins, 
yielding an average of seven hundred and fifty 
pounds of milk a day through the year. He 
is building a large barn with a capacity of 
seventy head of cattle. 

Mr. Fuller has been twice married. His 
first wife, Emaline Parker, with whom he was 
united October 28, 1863, died March 6, 1882, 
leaving four children, namely: Anna, born 
September 24, 1866, now wife of William 
Bogart, of Masonville; Edmund L., born Jan- 
uary I, 1868, who died February 28, 1872; 
Jerome E., born August 25, 1873; and Laura 
A., born September 7, 1880, both living at 
home. Mr. Fuller was married the second 
time, on October 16, 1884, to Elizabeth Whit- 
man Darling, who was born in Tompkins, Dela- 
ware County, daughter of Jeremiah Darling. 

Mrs. Fuller is MethodLst Episcopal in re- 
ligion, while Mr. Fuller is a member of the 
Baptist church. He is a Republican in poli- 
tics, and has served acceptably in several 
town offices, having been Supervisor of the 
town one term, and Overseer of the Poor sev- 
eral years, and Road Commissioner two terms. 
He is a public-spirited, enterprising, useful, 
and valued citizen. 

Life-like portraits of Mr. and Mrs. William 



Fuller will be found near by on opposite 
pages of this volume. 




OBERT A. ERASER, a well-known 
lawyer of Delhi village, was born in 
the town of Delhi, January 30, 
1851. His father, James Eraser, 
married Mary A., a daughter of Robert Ar- 
buckle, of the same town; and both parents 
are still living in this town, where they were 
born and where they have always made their 
home. The grantifather, Andrew Eraser, was 
born in Inverness, Scotland, came to New 
York State when a young man, and, settling 
in Delhi, here pursued the calling of a farmer 
for many years. 

Robert A. Eraser spent his early years on 
the home farm, receiving his elementary edu- 
cation at the district schools, afterward sup- 
plementing it by a course at the Delhi Acad- 
emy. He then studied law with the late 
Judge Gleason, of Delhi, and later with Adec 
& Shaw. Being admitted to practice at the Al- 
bany general term in 1877, he opened his ofifice 
in Delhi, where he has remained ever since. 

Mr. Eraser was married in 1880 to Miss 
Mary E. Blair, a daughter of William and 
Elizabeth (Holmes) Blair; and they have one 
child, Edwin B. Eraser. Mr. Eraser has been 
Justice of the Peace in the town of Delhi for 
twelve years, and for three years was Clerk of 
the Board of Supervisors. He is a Free 
Mason, a member of Delhi Lodge, No. 439, 
and in politics is a strong upholder of the Re- 
publican faith. Mrs. Eraser is a member of 
the First Presbyterian Church, of which he is 
an attendant. 



TT^HARLES JAMES DICKSON lives 
I \y in Margarettville, in Middletown, 
^1^ , where he carries on a very exten- 
sive business, and is the owner of 
important pieces of real estate. He was born 
November 25, 1852, son of Peter and Eliza 
(Boak) Dickson. His paternal grandparents 
were James and Jane (Trotter) Dickson. 
James Dickson came to America in 18 16, and 
was a carpenter; but he took up a farm of a 
hundred and forty acres, now occupied by 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



3" 



James Armstrong, in Gladstone Hollow, town 
of Andes, and put up a log house and barn. 
There grew up liis nine eiiikh'en: I'Tizal)eth 
Uiclvson married Joiiii Hanker, deceased. 
William is no longer on earth. Thomas mar- 
ried Mary Turnbull, and the widow lives in 
Andes; and so does James Dickson, who mar- 
ried I'Llizabeth Davidson. Mary Dickson 
married lulward Turnbull, a brother of her 
brother Thomas's wife, and is now a widow. 
John married first Anna Gladstone, and then 
Klizabeth Oliver. Peter, the fatlier of the 
special subject of this sketch, marrieil I'lliza 
Boak, and lives in New Castle. Henry, now 
dead, was the husbaiul of I'^sther Gladstone, a 
sister of his brother John's wife. Ellen 
Dickson married A. l-'risljie, and lives in 
Antics. Grandfather Dickson and wife both 
lived to be very old, and were earnest mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian church. 

Their fifth child, Peter Dickson, was born 
in Amies, where he received the usual com- 
mon-school education, ami w(U'ked on the 
farm. Having accumulated a little money b\' 
dint of hard work, he went with his brother, 
William Dickson, to New Castle, I'a., and 
opened a livery stable. Though doing well, 
Peter sold out at the end of a year, and came 
to Andes, Delaware County, and began a 
manufacturing enterprise in a building now 
in ruins and known as Dowie's Mill. He ilid 
sawing and planing, and had machinery for 
turning all sorts of wood work. Later he 
tradetl this [ilant for a farm near tiie village, 
now called the Adam Bassett place. There 
he remained ten years, and tiien exchanged 
the farm with Thomas Muir for village prop- 
ert\', covering what is now called the Dickson 
& Armstrong estate, but was then a carding 
and wool-S]5inning factory, erected by the 
Waterburys about the year ICS30. Mr. Dick- 
son remodelled the building, added a grist- 
mill, and for six years did a large business. 
Then he sold out to his nejjhew. Henry James 
Dickson, and went again t(j New Castle, 
where he became a successful grocer. This 
also he sold out after a few years, and retired 
from active life. 

He was a Methodist in faith, and a Repub- 
lican in politics. His wife Eliza was the 
youngest daughter of Charles Boak, who even 



in his old age was considered one of the best 
teachers in the county. He was a farmer, 
owning a large tract of land in Harlansburg, 
Lawrence County, P:i., where he raised the 
fidlowing chikiren: Aaron, Charles. Wash- 
ington, Margaret, Rebecca, Sarah, Martiia, 
Mary Ann, Eliza. As fast as they grew up, 
the boys did the farm work, while the father 
taught school here and there. Mr. and Mrs. 
Boak lived to be foursct)re, and died the same 
)ear. Peter and l''.liza Dickson reared three 
childi'en, the eldest being the subject of this 
sketch. Thomas W. Dickson married Anna 
Greene, lives in New Castle, is a conmiercial 
traveller, and has two children. Their sister 
Carrie died at the lovely age of eighteen. 

Charles J. Dickson was l)orn in New 
Castle, while his father was keeping the 
stable, and was educatt'd, not only in the dis- 
trict scho(d, liut in the Andes Collegiate In- 
stitute, besides attending for one term the 
Delaware Academy. The work of life he 
began on his father's farm, but soon gave this 
up for a clerkshiji with David Ballantine. 
Desiring to see more of the world, and having 
kinsfolk in New Castle, he went thither to try 
his hand at his grandfather Boak's profession 
of school-teaching. In two years he came 
back to Andes, and for another lirace of years 
was clerk for James Ballantine, a brother of 
liis former em|iloyer. Next he tried the hard- 
ware traffic, buying out the interest of the 
junior member of the firm of C). S. & C. W. 
Nichols. Five years later, when thirty years 
i)ld, he sold his interest in the store to his 
partner, came to xMargarettville, and associated 
himself with W. E. Doolittle, in the business 
alrea(l\' learned. Three years later Mr. Dick- 
son bought out Mr. Doolittle. .Since then he 
has enlarged the store from time to time, till 
now he has one of the largest in Delaware 
County, and sells not only hardware and 
groceries, but agricultural implements, lum- 
ber, and all other goods usually sold in a 
country store. In icS84 and 18S5 he erected 
a skating-rink, which, since that anuisement 
declined, has been changed into the only hall 
in the village, and is provided with a stage 
for various literary, musical, and dramatic 
performances. Attached to this building is a 
store for the sale of tin and plumbing goods. 



312 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



In 1879, at the age of twenty-seven, he 
married Anna S. Boyes, daughter of James 
and Barbara B. (Gordon) Boyes. Mr. Boyes 
was the son of the senior James Boyes, of 
Dumfries, Scotland, who had a large family. 
The son James came to America at the age 
of twenty-two, and there met and married 
Barbara Gordon, a lady of Scottish blood, the 
daughter of James and Mary (Hay) Gordon. 
Their children were Peter, Jane Ann, Bar- 
bara, and Jeanette Gordon; and the parents 
lived to a good old age. Mr. Gordon was a 
storekeeper in various places. James Boyes 
came to America in 18 10, locating first in 
Canada, and then in New York, working at 
his trade of horse-shoeing. Next he came to 
Delhi, and then to Andes, finally retiring to 
Margarettville, where he still lives, though his 
wife Barbara has passed onward. They be- 
longed to the United Presbyterian church, 
and reared nine children. James Boyes mar- 
ried first Miss Josselyn, and afterward Laura 
Caulkins, and has two children. Mary Boyes 
is no longer living. Peter Boyes married 
Mary E. Davis, is a farmer, and has one son. 
Agnes Boyes married Edwin Shaver, an inn- 
keeper, and has two children. John Boyes is 
deceased. Thomas H. Boyes married Maggie 
Bell, lives in Hartford, Conn., and has four 
children. William A. Boyes married Anna 
Burhans, is a Margarettville gardener, and has 
four children. David Boyes lives in Michi- 
gan. Anna Boyes, Mrs. Dickson, is the 
youngest. Their mother died December 20, 
1882, firm in the Presbyterian religion. 

Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Dickson have two 
children. Irving was born October 5, 1881, 
and Irene on June 4, 1889. Being an active, 
progressive, and obliging merchant, Mr. 
Dickson is not only rewarded with plenty of 
business, but is highly respected by his fel- 
low-citizens throughout the county. As a 
stanch Republican he has efficiently filled 
several offices. He has belonged to the fire 
department ever since its organization. 



rWTo 



I'XJRGP: BKAZEE, a retired resident 
\ [5T of the village of Walton, is well 
— known in the vicinity as having long 
been an active man of business, and is deeply 



reverenced as an earnest exhorter and preacher 
of the Methodist faith. The early ancestral 
home of the family was in Holland; but these 
records go back only to Mr. Brazee's grand- 
father, Peter Brazee, who with his family 
emigrated from Massachusetts to this county 
and settled in Wilson Hollow. 

He was twice married, and by his first wife 
had three sons and three daughters, all of 
whom are now dead, including his son Tunis, 
born about 1785, who was a young man when 
they came here. Tunis Brazee married Delia 
Cook, of Rockland, in this county, who was 
born about 1800, and after eighty-one years 
of useful life died in the town of Han- 
cock. She was the mother of four daughters 
and five sturdy sons, the fourth son being 
George, the subject of this sketch. Three 
other sons and two daughters are still liv- 
ing, Robert and Peter being respectively in 
Western New York and Pennsylvania, and 
Eben in Matteawan, N.Y. Rachel, wife of 
George Babcock, lives in Colchester, N.Y. 
Ann Eliza, wife of George Brooks, lives in 
the West. 

George Brazee was born in Colchester, 
September 11, 1827. After a very limited 
education in the district school he became a 
pupil in that larger institution of learning, 
the world. Much of his time was spent in 
hard work, early and late, on the farm and in 
the woods, where the stroke of his a.xe or the 
call to the oxen awoke echoes through the 
vast forests. In those sylvan solitudes was 
the spirit of this man prepared to receive 
divine instruction and to experience conver- 
sion from the ways of sin to the paths of the 
godly. The change in his spiritual life oc- 
curred in the town of Hancock in 1852, when 
he was twenty-five years old, and in the same 
house in which the lady who was afterward 
his wife had become converted eight years 
before. Through him were his parents also 
brought to a profession of faith ; and for forty- 
two years has this earnest Christian worker, 
deeply imbued with the power of the Spirit, 
labored in his Master's vineyard, being for 
many years a local preacher. 

Mr. Brazee began life with but little capital 
except a ready hand and a willing mind, and 
by his industry and economy has accumu- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIKW 



3 '3 



IcUciI a coinpctoiicy. Vt)V fourteen _\cars he 
engageil in fainiiiii;- and liinibeiing near rrout 
Urook. Here lie owned a saw-mill and some 
five hunilred acres of land, all of which he has 
sold. In 1864 he enlisted in the cause of tiie 
nation, and was assigned to the I-'irst New 
York ICnginecr Corps in Company C. The 
war being over, he was discharged at Hilton, 
July 4, 1865. In 1872 he came to the village 
of Walton, and bought his present home with 
twelve acres of land, on which he has alreatly 
built two dwelling-houses. It is jjrobable 
that within a very few years the entire place 
will be in great demand for building-lots. 
Here Mr. and Mrs. Hra/.ce now live, con- 
tenteil with the simple ways and surroundings 
of their peaceful home. 

Mr. I5razee married Margaret Weeks Greg- 
ory, widow of Ezra Gregor)'. Her first hus- 
banil tlied in the prime of life, leaving her 
with twin sons, one of whom died at the age of 
two years. The other son, .Scott Gregorv, is 
a farmer and lumber merchant in Harvard, 
Delaware County, and has a family of four 
sons and one daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Hrazee 
have one son, James, who married Jennie 
Ouinn, of Miildletown, X.^'., where they now 
reside, and where eigliteen months ago a 
beautiful little daughter, Edna B. Ijy name, 
was born to them. James Brazee j.irotited b\' 
the e.Ncellcnt educational opportunities given 
him by an indulgent father, who took care 
that he should have the advantages of early 
training which to himself had been denied. 
He is now a conductor on the New \'ork, 
Ontario & Western Railroad. 

In the olden times a Democrat, when the 
parties changed Mr. Brazee became a Reinibli- 
can, from the ranks of which party he has 
risen to the acceptance of the jirinciples of 
the Patriot or Prohibition party. Illustrating 
in his daily life the Christian principles en- 
forced l)y his ilevout utterances, Mr. Brazee is 
deeply loved and respected by his neighbors 
in Walton, and especial!)- liy those of the 
Methodist faith, in behalf of whom he has 
labored and preached for nearly half a cen- 
turv; and those who know him and admire 
him for his benignant cpialities wish for him 
all that he constantly prays for for others, ami 
hope that it may be the will of the all-wise 



I'"atiier to spare him to his earthly friends for 
many years to come. 



t^TON. DAVID LOW THOMl'.SOX, a 
Y^\ distinguished resident of B(jvina, 
II9 I Delaware Comity, N.Y., was born 

in this town on the first day of Au- 
gust, 1831. He was a son of David and Jean- 
nette (Low) Thompson, who were both born 
in Scotland: and he was a grandson of Will- 
iam Thompson. Little is known of Grand- 
father Thompson except that he lived and died 
in the old country. Da\-id Low, though born 
in Scotland, was among the earliest settlers 
of Schenectady, X.V. .At that time the 
Indians of the .Mohawk \'alle}' were verv 
troublesome, and Mr. Low took an active ])art 
in the battles with them. He was a member 
of the Dutch Reformed church, reared two 
children, Isabella Lovett an<l Jeannette Low 
Thompson, anil was one of the most thriving 
farmers of his da_\'. 

David Thonipson came to America when a 
young man, and settled in the town of Bovina 
at the time of the famous War of 181 2. This 
region was little better than a wilderness; but 
lie rented land, and a little later bought a 
farm of three hunilred acres, where he li\-ed 
until his death, in his fifty-first year. He 
was a member of the Presbyterian church, a 
Whig, and a successful man financiallv. His 
first wife was a Miss Hume, by whom he had 
four children, two of whom are now living; 
nanieh'. William 1). Thompson, of Bovina, 
and James Thonipson, of Walton, both of 
whom are retii'ed farmers. His second wife 
was Jeannette Low, who died at the advanced 
age of eighty-two years, leaving two sons: 
Robert F. Thonipson, a Bovina farmer, and 
David Low Thonipson, the subject of this 
sketch. 

Young David grew to manhood in Bovina, 
and, after graduating at the district sch(jol, 
continued his studies at Andes .Acailemy, 
under Professor William Stoddard, fr(;m Edin- 
burgh, .Scotland. ^'oung Tlioni|ison was of 
an independent turn of mind, and began 
teaching in the district schools when but a 
bov of sixteen. Later in life he became 
superintendent of schools, and represented his 



314 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



town as Supervisor for two terms. Durin^; 
thirteen years he was Postmaster. In 1854 he 
established a hardware store, in which busi- 
ness he still remains. On December 28 of 
the same year he married Eliza Murray, 
daughter of John Murray, one of the early set- 
tlers of Bovina. Mrs. Thompson died Sep- 
tember II, 1893, leaving three children; 
namely, Nettie, the widow of Dr. Henry Don- 
cUy, residing in Davenport; and Annabell 
and William D., who live at home, the latter 
being in the hardware business. 

Mr. Thompson is an Elder in the United 
Presbyterian Church of Bovina, having been 
thirty-two years superintendent of the Sab- 
bath-school, which was organized September 
15, 1856, with seventy-four scholars. He is 
a Republican, and has always supported his 
party, casting his first vote for John C. 
Fremont. In 1887 he was elected a member 
of the State Assembly, and served one term at 
the capitol. He is a forcible speaker, vigor- 
ous writer, and an able debater, but has lat- 
terly retired from politics, and gives his time 
and attention wholly to business, in which he 
is reliable and high-minded. Personally, he 
is very intellectual and unassuming, and be- 
lieves, with the poet, 

'•True worth is in being, not seeming." 



/^3JeORGE SMITH, owner and manager 
\ 5T of a livery stable in the pleasant vil- 
^ — lage of Walton, is one of the solid 
and substantial business men of the town, and 
is meeting with excellent financial success in 
his present occupation. He is a native of 
this county and town, his birth having oc- 
curred June 30, 1822. His father, Rufus 
Smith, was engaged in agriculture in this 
vicinity for many years, owning different 
farms, and finally becoming proprietor of a 
hotel known as Smith's tavern, which he 
rented in 1835, and subsequently purchased. 
It was a wooden structure, and has since been 
rebuilt. Some of the hand-made wrought 
nails used in the original building are now in 
the possession of the subject of this sketch. 
Rufus Smith remained engaged as hotel- 
keeper until his death, in 1842, while yet in 



the prime of manly vigor, being but forty- 
five years old. His wife, Sophia St. John, 
who was a daughter of David St. John, bore 
him three sons and two daughters, of whom 
George, the second child, is the only one now 
living. After the death of her husband, Mrs. 
Smith with the assistance of her children con- 
tinued the management of the tavern for some 
twenty-five years. She was a very energetic, 
capable woman, and lived to be more than 
seventy years of age, dying in 1869. Her 
father was one of the conspicuous figures con- 
nected with the early history of Walton; and, 
in all enterprises tending to elevate the edu- 
cational or religious status of the place, 
David St. John could be relied upon to assist. 
He was one of thirteen men who organized the 
Congregational church and society, and who 
built the log house that was for several years 
their place of worship. He possessed a fac- 
simile of the Declaration of Independence of 
the thirteen original States, dated July, 1776, 
which has been in the family for more than a 
century, and is now in the possession of his son 
George. Mr. Smith has other relics of value 
and interest, one of them being the clarinet 
which his father owned, and on which he 
used to play on public occasions, in the town 
band. 

In common with the boys of his day, George 
Smith attended the district school; and he 
afterward spent one term at the Delhi Acad- 
emy. When quite young, he learned the 
tailor's trade, which he followed for a while 
in Ithaca, going thence to Trumansburg and 
subsequently to Binghamton, where he was 
under instructions for a year, and was then 
engaged as a journeyman tailor for a number 
of years. Shortly after the death of his 
father, Mr. Smith returned to Walton; and 
the following twelve years he assisted his 
mother and brother in the management of the 
hotel, and took an active part in local affairs. 
It was during this period that the anti-rent 
difficulty occurred in this State, attracting 
wide attention; and in the stirring events 
which occurred Mr. Smith was an active par- 
ticipant. He was one of the sheriff's posse 
of one hundred men who, under the command 
of Tim Corbin, were called to the Earls farm, 
in Delhi, on the occasion of killing cattle 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



.3 '5 



for restrained rent, at whicli time Mi-. Steel 
was killed. Mr. .Smith lode his own horse, 
as did most of the otlu-r membei's of that 
band. Diificnlties of this kind were effectu- 
ally settled by tlie .State ('onstitntion of 1846, 
wdiich abolished all feudal tenures, and for- 
bade the leasini; of all ai;rieultnral lands for 
a ]ieriod exceeding twelve )'ears In 1X57 I\Ir. 
-Smith left the hotel, and, purchasing a small 
house and barn, started the first liver\- busi- 
ness of the town. In 1865 he sold out his 
livery, and engaged in merchandising and 
lumber dealing, erecting a feed-mill and a 
planing-mill, carrying on a successful business 
imtil 1874, when the mills were burned. 
Prior to tliis time, however, Mr. .Smith was in 
]iartnership with (iould & Truesdale; and 
they operated two dail_\' stage lines, one run- 
ning from Walton to Delhi, and one lo 
Oneonta. Besides earrving passengers, this 
enterprising firm secured tlu' contr.ut Ironi 
the jrovernment to carrv the mails between 
these places; and they also carried on a heavy 
express business, paying from Jul\ to (Octo- 
ber, 1865, two thousand one hundred dollars, 
their receipts for these three months being- 
over seven thousand fi\-e hundred df)llais. 
After the burning of his mills, Mr. Smith, in 
company with Messrs. Jar\is and Truesdale, 
bought the street-car line in Binghamton, 
which the)' o])erated seven years. In I 88 I he 
returneil to \\'alt(m, and again resumed the 
livery business, beginning with tour horses, 
and tloing his own work. About ten years 
ago he and his son, ("leorge T. .Smitli, started 
a li\'er\' business on an extensive scale, on the 
property of the old mill site, which he had 
never sold, keeping from ten to twehe horses. 
They are upright and obliging business men, 
and have won hosts of friends and a ver)- large 
])atronage bv their courtesy and honorable 
dealings. 

Mr. .Smith was married in 1854 to .Sarah 
Baker, of Gilbertsville, daughter of Lyman 
and Ksther Baker, the latter of whcnn lived to 
the remarkable age of ninety-si.x years, d)'ing 
in July, 1892. .She retained her faculties of 
both body aiul mind to the last, being a very 
intelligent and pleasant old lady. Of the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. .Smith only one child 
has been born, (Jeorge T. .Smith. In 1878 ho 



married Bessie ludls, a daughlei' of J. Baird 
l''.ells, of Walton. They are the parents of 
thi-ee chihiren: Charles, sixteen years old; 
I'rederic, fourteen years of age; and (irace, a 
little mi.ss of nine years. Mr. -Smith is a 
man who thinks for himself on imjiortant 
t|uestions, including politics and religion, 
and usually casts his \'ote for the candidate 
he deems best fitted for the (jf'fice, although he 
is in svmi)atli\' with the Prohibitionists. He 
is a tem|)erance man in every resiiect, and has 
never used liquor or tobacco. Although be- 
longing to no religious organization, he gives 
freed)' to the support of the cluu'ches, and 
leads an exemplary life. 




1;NJAMIN HATHAWAY, one of 
tlie oldest and most widely known 
residents of the town of Tomjikins, 
is the proud possessor ol twenty-six 
grandchildren and twenty-fi\'e great-grandchil- 
di'en. His father. Jacob Hathaway, who was 
a native of New Jersey, emigrated to Dela- 
ware County when but sixteen years of age, 
accompan)ing a Mr. Dixon, by whom he was 
employed for some time. He then purchased 
a tract of land in the valley of the Delaware 
River, and there, in the wilderness, erected a 
common pi. ink house and a saw-mill, and en- 
gaged in the lumber business, sending the 
logs in rafts down the river to Philadelphia. 
Many of the forest giants fell by the blows of 
his axe; and in a short time he had cleared a 
large tract, and added the occupation ol tann- 
ing to that of lumbering. Hei'c he dwelt and 
labored until his death, at sixty years of age. 
His wife was I.ydia Lowry, a nat i\'e of Con- 
necticut, who died when eighty-lour years 
old, having been the mother of eleven chil- 
dren; namely, Nancy, Robert, .Sally, Jacob, 
I.ydia, Harriet, Benjamin, Josiah, Abigail, 
b'.'lizabeth, and a second Robert. The first 
Robert died at the age of sixteen: but all the 
others, except the two eldest daughters, who 
remained single, lived to marr\' and rear fam- 
ilies of their own. 

l^enjamin Hathaway was born in lomjikins, 
I-'ebruarx' 22, iSiO, and receivetl his education 
in the schools of this town, at the same time 
assisting his father on the farm and in the 



3i6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



lumber business. Upon reaching his major- 
ity, he purchased land near the old home and 
began life for himself, adopting his father's 
occupations of farming and lumbering. For 
thirty years after this he was a pilot on the 
Delaware River. About the year 1850 he 
made himself possessor of the farm where he 
now resides, which at one time contained 
nearly seven hundred acres, and at present 
embraces within its limits four hundred and 
thirty-five acres. 

When but nineteen years of age, Mr. Hatha- 
way married Elizabeth Case, of Tompkins, a 
daughter of Phineas and Nancy (Leonard) 
Case; but she passed away when fifty years 
old, leaving the following children: Harriet; 
Lydia; Jennie; Amasa J.; Robert and Ed- 
win, now deceased. His second marriage 
was with Sibyl E. Blake, a native of Che- 
nango County, and a daughter of Ithuel 
Blake; and she became the mother of one 
child, John M. Hathaway. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hathaway are earnest, active 
members of the Presbyterian church, in which 
organization their influence for good is uni- 
versally felt. Mr. Hathaway was an anti- 
slavery man and coworker with Gerrit Smith ; 
and he now votes with the Prohibition party, 
a firm supporter of its platform, and an ardent 
laborer for the cause of temperance. During 
his long residence in the town of Tompkins 
Mr. Hathaway has been most fortunate in 
making many warm friends, whose companion- 
ship is one of the chief comforts of his declin- 
ing years. He is an upright, public-spirited 
man; and the great respect in which he is 
held by all gives testimony of his strong and 
noble character. 




"ENRY RICE. Among the agricultu- 
rists of this county who have at- 
tained financial success is the 
gentleman whose name stands at 
the head of this sketch. He is the owner of 
a fine farm, and is known as one of the most 
progressive and energetic farmers in these 
parts and a thorough master of his chosen 
calling. He was born in the town of Har- 
persfield, Delaware County, November 9, 
1 83 1, son of Samuel Rice, who was a native 



of this county, Stamford being, it is thought, 
the town of his birtli. 

Mr. Rice is of Irish descent, his grand- 
father, Henry A. Rice, having been born and 
reared in the Emerald Isle. Emigrating from 
there to the United States, he settled in this 
county, buying a tract of wooded land in the 
town of Stamford. He cleared a portion of 
his purchase, then removed to Harpersfield, 
where he bought a partly improved farm, 
made a home for his wife and family, and 
there lived until his death. Samuel Rice was 
the fourth in number of the five children of 
the emigrant. A large part of his early life 
was spent in Harpersfield, where he assisted 
his parents in tilling the soil and improving 
their farm. On becoming of age, he bought a 
portion of the old homestead, and there con- 
ducted the general work of a farm. He died 
at the early age of thirty-nine years. He 
married Ann Smith, a native of Schenectady, 
and the daughter of David Smith. Her father 
was one of the first settlers of Scotch Moun- 
tain, where he and his wife spent many years 
engaged in the pioneer labor of clearing a 
farm. 

Henry was the only child of Samuel and 
Ann (Smith) Rice, and was but six years old 
when he was deprived of a father's care. 
Mrs. Ann S. Rice, surviving her husband a 
full half-century, spent the latter part of her 
life at the home of her son, where she died in 
1893, at the ripe old age of eighty-eight 
years. She was a sincere member of the First 
Presbyterian Church, to which her husband 
also belonged, he being a Covenanter. After 
the death of his father, Henry found a home 
with an uncle in the town of Delhi, with 
whom he lived several years, receiving excel- 
lent care. He had good educational advan- 
tages, attending the district school and the 
village academy, and for many seasons there- 
after was engaged in teaching. Later he pur- 
chased a farm in Delhi, which he conducted 
for eight years, and then, selling it at a good 
advantage, bought land on Hollister Hill, 
where he resided fourteen years, profitably 
employed in tilling the soil. Finally, dis- 
posing of that farm, he bought the one which 
he now occupies, containing one hundred and 
fifty acres of rich and productive land, lying 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



3'7 



in a beautiful locality on the river road. 
Having steadily api)lied himself to its im- 
provement, he now lias the land in an excel- 
lent state of culti\'ation, well stocked and 
well equipped in every respect; and on this 
valuable homestead he is carr)ing on an ex- 
tensive dairy business, keeiiing about twenty- 
five head of superior Jersey grade cows, and 
making a fine quality of butter, which he sells 
in the New ^'ork markets. 

Mr. Rice was united in marriage in 1S55 to 
Margaret Arbucklc, the daughter of Natlianiel 
and Agnes (Blair) Arbuckle, who were among 
the (ddest and most prominent residents of 
Delhi. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have three chil- 
dren, two sons and a daughter. Samuel S., 
the elder son, is foreman in a lumber )ard in 
Newark, N.J. Mary, the daughter, married 
Andrew C. Strangeway, a farmer of Meredith. 
Charles, the younger son, who resides on the 
home farm, assisting in its management, mar- 
ried Emma, daughter of William Tuttle: and 
they have one child, Albert. In politics Mr. 
Rice ardently advocates the principles of the 
Republican party, and takes an active part in 
the local campaigns of that organization. He 
has served his town acceptably as Assessor for 
four years. Both he and his wife are influen- 
tial members of the First Presbyterian Church 
of Delhi, where he has filled the position of 
Trustee for several years, and in the Sunday- 
school connected with it has been one of its 
most efficient teachers. 




MBKOSK B. MOORK, a veteran of 
the late war and a resident of Tomp- 
kins, was born in this town, No- 
vember 10, 1 84 1, the son of Asa 
and Rachel (Warner) Moore. Asa Moore was 
the son of Zebulon Moore, who, it is thought, 
was born in New England, and came to New 
^'ork State when a young man, being num- 
bered among the sturdy ]iioneers of Broome 
County. In 1815 he removed to the village 
of Rensselaer, living there one year only, 
when he came to Delaware County, settling in 
the woods at the place now known as Kelse\-, 
on the farm now in possession of his grand- 
son. This land was covered with growing 
timber, and wholly uncultivated; and a log 



house, which was erected after their arrival, 
was their only home for a great many years. 
Zebulon Moore lived to l)e over eightv \eais 
old. 1 1 is wife, Hannah Hoag, (lied when 
eighty-one years old. 

Asa Moore was a ver\' young bo_\- when his 
parents moved to Tompkins; yet he remem- 
bers the hardships the}- endured, the journey- 
made on horseback and in covered wagons, 
and the many years before railroads and canals 
were introduced to assist in their labors. lie 
helped his father clear the land, and, when old 
enough, rafted the lumber down the river to 
Philadelphia, n-iaking the return trip for the 
greater part on foot. In August, 1855, he 
married Rachel Warner, wlio w-as born in 
Broome County, N.V., daughter of Moses and 
Hannali (Grodevant) Warner. By tiiis mar- 
riage there were nine children, six of whom 
are now living; namely, Persis M., Ambrose 
B., Julia A., Allen I)., Asa N., and Lu- 
cinda. Abraham, the eldest son, w-ho served 
in the Civil War in Company A, One Hun- 
tired and Forty-fourth New York \'olunteer 
Infantry, died while in the service at Fairfax 
Seminary, March 6, 1863. Nancv died in 
August, 1892, aged fifty-four years; and Ar- 
nold died February, 1893, aged forty-seven. 

Ambrose B. Moore iluring his early years 
assisted his father in the farm work, attentling 
the district schocd in its season until in 
1862 he enlisted in Company A, One Hun- 
dred and b'orty-fourth New \'ork X'olunteer 
Infantry, and went South with the regiment, 
which was stationed in \'irginia until 1863. 
l"ron-i \'irginia they went to Morris Island, 
and while here the company did active service 
in tlie siege of Charleston, S.C. In March, 
1864, they left the islantl, and took up a sta- 
tion in Florida, remaining there until June, 
when they went to Hilton Head, from which 
place Mr. Moore received an honorable dis- 
charge in June, 1865. For a time he made 
his honie in Cannonsville, and afterward man- 
aged a farm about a mile from there, where he 
lived a few years, at the end of which time he 
returned to his old home, and has since car- 
ried on general farming and dairying. The 
farm is located in the Sands Creek \'alley in 
the town of Tompkins, is well watered, and has 
many modern improvements and conveniences. 



3i8 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



In 1859 Mr. Moore married Gracie Van 
Valkenburg, who was born in Walton, Dela- 
ware County, the daughter of John Van Val- 
kenburg. Her father wa.s born in Schoharie 
County, New York, and spent his last days in 
Walton. His ancestors were among the early 
settlers from Holland. Mr. and Mrs. Moore 
have si.\ children — Nettie A., Kate, Hor- 
ace v., Isa G., Maude E., and Warner Jay. 

For many years Ambrose B. Moore was a 
Republican ; but he has now taken up the cause 
of temperance, and labors in the wide field of 
the Prohibitionists. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Moore are members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church, and the former is a member of the 
Flasket Post, Grand Army of the Republic. 
He commands the respect of his fellow-men as 
a useful citizen of tlie republic, one whose 
patriotism has been tried, and has not been 
found wanting either in peace or in war. 



t^TON. JOHN S. McNAUGHT, M.D., 
I r^ I an experienced and popular physician 
I ', 3 I and druggist of the village of Ho- 

^~"^ bart, was born September 5, 18 19, 
at New Kingston, in Middletown, and was 
the son of Duncan and Elizabeth (Scott) Mc- 
Naught. John McNaught, the father of Dun- 
can, was a farmer, and came to America, and 
took u]) his abode in the town of Bovina, and 
resided there during the remaining part of his 
active life. His early years were not spent in 
idleness, but on the contrary were sedulously 
devoted to labor, he being a man of great 
physical vigor and endurance; and so, when he 
grew to be old, he was able to live in comfort, 
a retired farmer in the town of Midtlletown. 
Both he and his wife Janet lived to be well 
advanced in years, he being about eighty years 
of age when he died. They had eight chil- 
dren, two of whom are now living, namely: 
John McNaught, who is over ninety years old, 
and resides in the town of Kortright ; and 
Janet Shaw, also over ninety years (dd, who 
resides at Hamden. 

Duncan McNaught was born in Scotland, 
and came to America when a young man. He 
settled in the town of Bovina, where he 
bought one hundred and fifty acres of land, 
and where he lived the rest of his life, his 



death occurring in 1847, at the age of fifty- 
five. His wife was a native of Bovina, and 
died at the old home, also aged fifty-five. 
Duncan McNaught was a Presbyterian, as are 
most of the Scotch people, and a Whig in 
politics. They had four children, but two of 
whom are now living, the subject of this 
sketch being the eldest. The second son, 
Robert McNaught, resides in Hobart. The 
two daughters were Mary A., Mrs. .Seymour 
Wilco.x, who died when about forty years old: 
and Mrs. Isabella Olmstead, who died when 
thirty-five years of age. 

John S. McNaught grew to manhood on the 
old farm at Bovina, and received more than 
the ordinary education of the youth of his 
time. He first attended the district school, 
then completed the course at Delhi Academy, 
his preceptor being Seymour Wilcox, of Bo- 
vina. He afterward taught five terms, which 
enabled him to complete his education at the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons in New 
York City, from which institution he was 
graduated in 1846. Dr. McNaught then went 
to Hobart, where he started his practice, and 
has remained until the present day, being one 
of the leading physicians of the village. In 
1880, in connection with his practice, he 
started a drug store, where he carries a full 
line of drugs and stationery. 

In 1847 he married Helen B. Hoy, of Bo- 
vina, who was born in Washington County, 
the daughter of James Hoy. They have a 
family of two sons and one daughter. One 
son, Duncan H. McNaught, is married and 
lives at Hobart. The other, Frank H. Mc- 
Naught, is a doctor in Denver, Col. Libbie 
McNaught lives at home. 

Mrs. McNaught is a Presbyterian; and the 
Doctor is a liberal in religious views, and is 
politically a Republican. He has held sev- 
eral public offices, having been Supervisor 
three terms, Railroad Commissioner, and a 
member of the legislature for one year in 1879. 
Many minor offices have also been held by 
him. He is a Mason, belonging to St. An- 
drew's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and a member 
of the Delaware County Medical Society. 
Dr. McNaught has always shown great inter- 
est in the welfare of the community in which 
he lives, and Hobart has no citizen more de- 



\ 




John S. Mc Naught. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



32' 




serving of honorable niL-ntion. His portrait 
on a preceding page will he recognized and 
highly appreciated by man\- friends. 



T^OL'IS M. WALSWXJRIII, senior mem- 
ber of the firm of Walsworth & Ileck- 
roth, proprietors of a general store, 
located on the corner of Main and 
Division Streets, Delhi, N.\'., ojiposite tlie 
Kdgerton House, is a liberally edncated young 
man, possessing great native ability. He was 
born at Dobbs I'erry, X.Y., Nowmber 29, 
1871. 

His father, the Rev. Lyman W'alswurth, 
was a native of Jefferson, N.Y., born in iSji. 
When he was about eiglueen, the family, 
joining a party of emigrants, remoxed to 
Ohio, making the journey with wagons and 
oxen. He shortly after entered the Theologi- 
cal -Seminary at Oberlin, from which he was 
graduated with an honorable record. He 
began his professional career as [jastor of a 
Methodist church at Hillsdale, X.H., where 
he was located for some time. He afterwartl 
labored zealously and efficiently in the State, 
preaching successively in Newburg, Dobbs 
Ferry, and Hancock, whence he came to 
Delhi. His last pastorate was in Sing-Sing, 
where after forty-five years of faithful service 
in the ministry he died at the age of sixty- 
eight years. His wife, Anna Bloom, was a 
native of .Stone Ridge, Ulster County, being 
the daughter of Isaac Bloom, a life-long resi- 
dent of that county. .She was a member of 
the Methodist church, retaining a deep inter- 
est in religious matters until the time of her 
decease, in September, 1889. Of the eight 
children born to her six grew to maturitv, 
namcl)- : Cornell M. : Mar}-, who married 
James R. Honeywell, a merchant of Delh.i ; 
Warren W. ; Charles L., who tra\-elled in 
I'-gypt and Palestine while pursuing his 
studies for the ministry, and is now ]jreaching 
in Stone Ridge, X.\'.; Luella .M., who, pos- 
sessing great musical talent, is devoting her- 
self to the study of that art in (iermanv; and 
Lnuis M., the subject of this sketch. 

Louis M. Walsworth received his ])rimary 
etlucation in the district schools, afterward 
entering the Mount Pleasant Militarv .Acad- 



emy at .Sing-Sing, from which lie was grad- 
uated in l88g. He subsequently attended 
the .Syracuse L'niversity two years, coming 
then to Delhi. On the first of January, 1893, 
Mr. Walsworth formed a jjurtnership with Mr. 
Ileckroth; and they ])urchased their present 
business of J. R. Honeywell, of whom a 
sketch is given on another jwge of this bio- 
grajjhical work. Ih're the firm is carrving on 
an extensive and lucrative trade, having one 
of the largest and most conveniently arranged 
stores in the county, and keeping a full stock 
of dry goods, groceries, crockery, fruit, vege- 
tai)les, and other articles of merchandise. 

Mr. Walsworth was united in marriage in 
January, 1893, to Miss lulith .M. Whitney, 
the ilaughter of Wells R. and Louise ( Teller) 
Whitney. Mr. Whitney is employed in the 
office of the County Clerk. In polities .Mr. 
Walsworth is a stanch advocate of the [jrinci- 
ples of the Republican party; and it may be 
remarked of him in general that he is a man 
of quick decision an<l well-defined views, and 
fearlessly outspoken on all questions that aj)- 
jjcal tf) his juilgment. 




ALCOLM CALHOCN, a success- 
ful and progressive farmer in 
Andes, Delaware Comity, w.is 
born in Dumbartonshire, .Seot- 
land, T'ebruary JS, 1S31, and was the son of 
Peter Calhoun and his wife, T^lleii Mc.Auslaii. 
Peter Calhoun, also horn in Dumbarton- 
shire, came to America with his family in 
1835, and bought two hundred and nineteen 
acres of land of (',. Raite in .Andes, to which 
he alterwai'd .added eighty more. He wa> a 
very intelligent and thrifty farmer, a Republi- 
can in politics and a member of the Cnited 
Presbyterian chui-eh. Mr. Calhoun lived to 
the unusual age of eighty-five years, and his 
wife to fourscore. This woithv coui^le was 
blessed with a family of ten children, all of 
whom lived to maturity, and may be thus 
briefly mentioned: Dr. John Calhoun, now 
deceased, had one son and a daughter: Peter 
Calhoun, a farmer in Ilamden, married Marv 
McAuslan, and they have three sons; .Mary 
Calhoun lives in Andes; Jeannette married 
William Oliver, and died leavini;- one son; 



322 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Archie Calhoun married Allida Rose, has 
located in Sherman, Chautauqua County, and 
they have five children; l'"llen married J. II. 
Smith, lives in Delhi, and they have three 
sons and two daughters; Malcolm Calhoun, 
the seventh child, is the subject of this 
sketch; James Calhoun married I'hidelia 
Rose, and settled in Chautauqua County, and 
their children are two in number; Daniel 
Calhoun married Cornelia McIIair, and they 
reside in l^ovina, and have six children: 
Maggie Calhoun lives in Andes. 

Malcolm Calhoun was educated in the 
common schools. In 1854 he went to Scot- 
land to visit his grandparents, whom he had 
left in his infancy. He remained in the land 
of his birth until 1855, when he returned to 
America. ^About this time he married Jane 
George, daughter of John and Jane (Sinkler) 
George, of Cabin Hill. Mr. and Mrs. George 
had a family of six children, two sons and 
four daughters. He lived to be eighty-five 
years of age, and she died at threescore and 
ten. They were members of Cabin Hill 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. George was a man 
of ability, and filled a number of public 
offices, such as Surveyor and Assessor. 
Malcolm Calhoun came to Bryant's Hollow, 
and bought of John Whitson a hundred and 
seventy acres of land, and then of Peter Cal- 
houn an adjoining farm of a hundred and 
seventy more. He improved his property, 
remodelling the buildings which had come 
into his possession, and making a comfortable 
and attractive home. 

Mr. and Mrs. MaU'(dm Calhoun have 
brought up a family of five children, two sons 
ant! three daughters. George P. Calhoun and 
James Sinkler Calhoun are both living at 
home. Helen married John T. Rooney, a 
farmer, of Lower Andes ; and they have one 
child. Aggie Jane Calhoun and Mary Eliza- 
beth Calhoun still brighten the home with 
their presence. Mr. Calhoun is not only a 
general farmer, but gives especial attention to 
milk-producing. He has a herd of over thirty 
beautiful Jerseys, and employs the latest and 
best inventions in the way of dairy apjjliances. 
True to the traditions of his family and the 
land of his nativity, Mr. Calhoun is a Pres- 
byterian, a communicant of the United Pres- 



byterian church at Andes. He is a good 
Republican, a worthy citizen, and an enter- 
prising and successful man, devoted to a use- 
ful calling. 




AllLON McKINNEY was born in 
Lackawaxen, Pike County, Pa., 
\s \ November 4, 1838. His great- 
great-grandfather McKinney came 
from Ireland early in the eighteenth century, 
and settled in Pennsylvania. Mahlon Mc- 
Kinney, Sr., father of the subject of this 
sketch, was born in Lackawaxen, and spent 
his whole life in his native town. He was a 
millwright and surveyor, which trades he fol- 
lowed throughout his life. His wife was 
Catherine Kittle, daughter of Jacob and Mary 
Kittle, of Port Jervis, Orange County, N.Y., 
and a descendant of the German pioneer set- 
tlers of New York State. She was the mother 
of eight children, namely: Laney, wife of 
George Youngs, of Berlin, Pa.; Jane M., who 
was twice married, first to Samuel Smith, and 
afterward to Smith Wood, of Buckingham, 
Wayne County, Pa. ; Ann Eliza, wife of 
Hezekiah Wood, of Berlin, Pa.; Nancy, wife 
of Charles B. Wheeling, Lackawaxen, Pa. ; 
George; Samuel; i\Iahlon; and Zenas. 

The subject of this sketch passed his early 
life in his native town as lumberman and con- 
tractor, and in 1877 came to Delaware 
County, anil moved on to the farm he now 
occu]jies in the town of Hancock. He has 
one hundred and nine acres, more than half of 
which are under cultivation. His pleasant 
house and convenient farm buildings and the 
latest improved machinery for carrying on the 
place show the thrift and good judgment of 
the owner. Mr. McKinne)' in all his dealings 
shows himself to be upright and honest, pro- 
gressive and of good judgment, a man to 
whom is justly accorded the respect of his 
fellow-citizens. 

Mrs. Mahlon McKinney, whose name be- 
fore marriage was Mary E. Daily, is a daugh- 
ter of the late William Daily, of Tuscan, 
Sullivan County, N.Y. The father of Will- 
iam Daily was a veteran and pensioner of the 
War of 181 2, and he lived to be eighty-three 
years old. His wife, whose maiden name 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



323 



was Margaret l'"iiit;L'l(lcr, sur\'ivcd him a 
nunibor of years, dying at the ago of nincty- 
sc\en. Mr. and Mrs. MeKinney were mar- 
ried January 31, 1857, at Iloneschile, Wayne 
County, I'a. ; and they have had three chil- 
th'en : Mahlon, the eldest, born July 2, i S60, 
dietl at the age of one \'eai', eight months, 
anil twenty-eight days; William 11., horn 
November 34, 1862, now engaged in business 
at Long ICddy, married Denas Williams, 
daughter of Antonc Williams, of Mancoek, 
and they have two children, Minnie M. and 
Mary Louise; Samuel, born November 9, 
1865, married Mary O. J5oyd, of Tomjjkins, 
daughter of Henry ]?oyil, and grand-daughter 
of Canfield 15oyd, of that town. 'I'he Hoyds 
were of .Scotch ancestiv. They came to 
Delaware County from the ICastern .States, 
ami were among the first settlers of the 
valley, several of them being soldiers in the 
Revolutionary War. .Samuel works the home 
farm with his father. He antl his wife lia\-e 
had three chiUlren, one of whom died in in- 
fancy. The others are Mahlon Henr}-, liorn 
August 30, 1S91, and Ida McKinney, born 
December 30, 1894. 




ILLIAM AVI-:RV fry is a re- 
if£\l tired merchant who. after having 
spent many years of his manhood's 
prime in the Far South, is now passing the 
sunset of life in the village of Sidne_\', where 
he was born on July 22, 1S16. He comes of 
good stock, and is one of the oldest as well as 
most widely kn;)wn and most highly respected 
residents of this section of Delaware County. 
The l-"ry lamily of England, from whnm he is 
desceniled, were people of importance and 
wealth in their native land, and, besides their 
city home in London, had a handsome country 
estate in Bristol, where they spent a part of 
each year. Their coat of arms is preserved 
by their American descendants, and is em- 
blazoned with three horses, one bridleil, and 
two running at large, unbridled. An early 
ancestor, Captain John Fry, is said to have 
gone to Lngland from .Switzerland, under 
George I., as Captain of the Swiss Guartls. 
John Fry, Jr., the fatlier of the subject of 
this biographical sketch, was born in Hart- 



fnnl. Conn., in March, 1792, and died in 
Delaware County, Iowa, in 1870. He was a 
son of John I^'ry, a native of liristol, ICngiand, 
who was united in marriage to a Miss Aver\- 
in Hartford, and there engaged in his occu])a- 
tion of gardener. He accumulated Cjuite a 
proi>erty, all of which he converted into iMig- 
lish money, as he was a warm advocate (jf the 
di\ine right of kings. Two sons and one 
daughter were born of his first marriage, 
namely: John, Jr., the eldest child; William, 
the second son; and .Sarah, who married a Mr. 
Bradley. After the death of this wife, which 
occurred in Hartford, he was three times 
married. 

John l-"ry, Jr., was a farmer b\- (K-cu|Kition, 
and also an extensive tlealer in lumber. He 
was at one time very well-to-tio, but lost 
heavily in 1824 by the failure of the Cidumbia 
Bank of Baltimore, he ha\ing taken the pay 
for a large stock of hunber in bills of that 
bank just prior to its failure, and in conse- 
i|uence lost the entire amount of the bill. 
He married I'hilomela .Spencer, wlio was born 
and rearetl in LTnadilla, Otsego County, N.Y. 
Her father, the Rev. Orange Spencer, was a 
Baptist clergyman, and a veteran of the Revo- 
lutionary War. Her grandfather, Solomon 
.Spencei-, was one of tlie very earl)- settlers of 
the town 111 I'nadilla, coming there in 1745, 
and being iur many years a prominent figure 
among the jjioneers of the place. Fleven 
children were born to John anil I'hilomela 
l'"ry, two of whom died in infancy; and, of the 
three sons and six daughters that grew to 
mature life, all except one are now living. 

Willi;uii A. I'"ry was named for his uncle 
William, ab(i\-e mentioned. At the vouthful 
age ol eight years he began to be a self-sup- 
porting member of the comnuniity, entering 
the ser\ice of Judge -Samuel Rexford as a 
chcue boy. no doubt forming habits of ajiplica- 
tion that pro\ed the foundation for his subse- 
quetit i)rosperit\-. After becoming of age, he 
was successfully engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness in I'nadilla Centre until obliged by 
failing health to abandcm it. He removed to 
(iilbertsville. Butternuts, Otsego Countv. 
whence in 1845, in the ilesire to recuperate 
his pliysical vigoi', he started for South Amer- 
ica. He sailed from New York Citv, March 



324 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



25, 1845, on the American bark "Rosalba," 
which was commanded by Ca])tain Tilton, a 
fine sailor and a noble man. They sailed for 
Montevideo, and were seventy-five days out of 
sight of land, being becalmed in the vicinity 
of the equatorial line. After making one or 
two stops on the Brazilian coast, Mr. Fry 
arrived in Montevideo in July, 1845. I^*-" 
returned to the States in November, 1872, 
and went from New York to St. Augustine, 
Fla., whence he came back to Sidney in 1879. 
While sojourning in Montevideo, Mr. I"ry 
wooed anil won as his bride Jeannie Wield 
15irrell, their nuptials being solemnized May 
15, 1848. Mrs. Fry was born in Dumfries, 
Scotland, May 6, 1821, being a daughter of 
John and Amelia (Halley) Birrell, both of 
whom were natives of Gretna Green, Scotland. 
Returning to Delaware County, Mr. and Mrs. 
Fry settled in the village of Sidney, where 
they are living in comfort, enjoying the es- 
teem and friendship of a large circle of ac- 
quaintances. 




II. LI AM H. BARLOW, a prosper- 
i/^V '"^'^ '^"^ intelligent farmer of Dela- 
ware County, was born May 7, 
1834, in Stamford, where his grandfather, 
Fdmund Barlow, a native of Fairfield, Conn., 
was an early settler. He was interested in 
various occupations, being able to turn his 
hand to almost anything with gratifying re- 
sults. He died January 18, 1825, and his 
wife on June i of the same year. Their son 
Samuel, the father of William H., was born 
in Stamford, August 31, 1798, and was twice 
married. His first wife, Maria Squire, had 
two children, Betsey Louise and Ellen Maria, 
both of whom have passed away; and she 
died January 17, 182S. His second wife was 
Jietsey Rolins, who became the mother of four 
children, namely: Roswell, born March 10, 
1830, and died May 18, 1833; Abigail, born 
March 30, 1832, and died May 23, 1858; 
William IL, of whom this sketch is written; 
Fdmund W., born December 16, 1837, and 
died September 12, 1857. Samuel Barlow 
was a successful farmer, owning three hun- 
dred acres of land at the time of his death, 
which occurred May 4, 1884. He was a 



the best 

schools, 

lived at 

On No- 



member of the Episcopal church at Hobart, 
and politically a Democrat. His wife died 
March 15, 1870. 

William Barlow, after receiving 
education afforded by the district 
gave his attention to farming, and 
home until the death of his parents, 
vember 29, 1859, he married Miss Sarah E. 
Carroll, who was born in Roxbury, March 26, 
1840, a daughter of Enos and Anna Carroll. 
Her father was born in Dutchess Count)'. 
Having grown to manhood, he engaged in 
farming in Ro.xbury, where he was married. 
He died December 11, 1874, at the age of 
seventy-six years; and his wife passed away 
May 30, 1893, in her ninety-third year. 
They were the parents of five children, 
namely: John Carroll, of Roxbury; Angeline, 
also of Roxbury; Sarah E., wife of Mr. Bar- 
low; Samuel B. and Abbie, both of whom are 
dead. 

Mr. Barlow succeeded to the ownership of 
the old homestead, where he resided until 
1888, when he moved to his present place of 
two hundred and sixty acres. Including the 
old farm, he is now the possessor of five hun- 
dred and sixty acres. His time is devoted to 
farming, and he sells the milk from eighty 
cows. He is the father of six children. The 
eldest, Annie E., born January 29, 1861, is 
the wife of William B. Smith, of Bovina. 
Ella A., born April 7, 1862, is the wife of 
Daniel Craft, of Jefferson, Schoharie County. 
Ward S., born December i, 1863, is married 
to Lizzie Puffer, and is engaged in black- 
smithing in Hobart. Frank C, born May 12, 
1876, Fred W., born December 12, 1877, and 
Abbie M., who was born October 31, 18S0, 
reside with their parents. 

Mr. Barlow is one of the most extensive 
farmers in this vicinity, and a highly re- 
spected citizen, liberal in religious views, 
and in politics voting with the Democratic 
party. 



TEPHFX LYON, a retired wagon 
manufacturer of the town of Walton, 
Delaware County, N.^'., is a man 
who has by his own unwearying 
efforts succeeded in accumulating a comfort- 




RFOGRAPHICAI, REVIEW 



325 



iihle fortune, ami, what is still more com- 
mciulablc, is also one who hears an untarnished 
reputation as a thoroughly conseiontious. v.\)- 
rij;ht eiti/.en. Mr. Lyon was horn in 
Stamford, X.Y., on April 9, 1825. His 
i^rantlfather, Walter Lyon, was horn in that 
town, January 28, 1769, son of Seth and ^Liry 
Lyon, of Connecticut, and died March 19, 
1819. Hurr L\'on, the father of the subject 
of this sketch, was one of the nine children of 
Walter Lyon, and was born in Stamford, De- 
cember 2, 1795, and died in Walton in 1S67. 
He married Melinda Churchill: ant! they 
were the parents of nine children, namely: 
Stephen: John, born October 30, 1826: Will- 
iam S., born October 5, 1S28: Walter J5., 
born December i. 1830; Giles W., born Feb- 
ruary II, 1S33, a carjjenter by trade, who died ' 
in Walton, April 3, 1894, leaviny one daugh- 
ter. Cora; Ann Lliza. born ^hiy 23, 1835, 
widow of William I'llijah, who died October 
19, 1869: Mary M., born May i, 1840, and 
died October 3, 1881 ; Geor,t;e A., born Jan- , 
uary i, 1844: and Ivlijah, born January 24, 
1838, and died in 1862. The last-named was 
one of the first volunteers of 1861, h;i\-int;- en- ! 
listed in the One Hundred and h'orty-fourth i 
\'olunteer Infantry, where he iKid reached the 
rank of Sergeant, with every indication of : 
future promotion. l^ut he died at [■"oily 
Island, a victim to typhoid fever, ;ind there 
rests in a soldier's grave, a brave man who 
gave his life in the service of his countrv. 
His death cast a gloom over the whole com- 
munity, who sympathized with his family in 
their great bereavement. 

.Stei)hen Lyon was brought u\> on his 
father's farm, and attended the district school, 
later entering the high school of Walton, 
where he remained one year. After this, in 
1847, he started out in life on his own respon- 
sibility, being employed by contractors in 
clearing the land and making it ready for cul- j 
tivation. After his marriage he settled on i 
his tarm of two hundred ami fortv acres in 
Broome County, where he remained for four- 
teen years, when he came to his jiresent home, 
occupying the same house in which he now 
lives. For twenty-three years, up to March, 
1894, he here engaged in the manufacture of 
wagons, in which occupation he was emi- ! 



nently successful, always giving s;ilisfaclion 
to his many patrons. 

In 1854 Mr. Lyon married Julia Hoyt, <jf 
Walliin, who became the mother of three'chil- 
dren, two of whom, a son and a daughter, 
lived to reach maturity. The son, Mclverii 
Lyon, M.D., was graduated from a I'hiladel- 
l)hia medical school, and is now a jjhysician 
;it Absecon, N.J. Hy his wife, Hannah 
Crosby, he has had two sons, only one of 
whom is now living, the other having died in 
infancy. The daughter, Myrtie, with her 
husband. Robert Berray, and two sons Ken- 
neth, three years old, and I''redcrick, a young 
babe — resides at the parental home. Mrs. 
Lyon has been in delicate health during the 
last tew years, and is now visiting her son in 
New Jersi'y. 

Mr. Lyon is a consistent Republican, being 
an ardent supporter ot the platform of that 
l)arty, and has held some minor offices under 
that organization. He and his wife are both 
devout and interested members of the Congre- 
gational church of Walton, taking an active 
part in its religious and social affairs. A 
just, reliable, nob!e-i)rinciple(l man, he holds 
an exalted position in the esteem of his manv 
trientls, and is reg;irded b\ his townsmen ;is 
a valuable citizen, who is ever interested 
in good government and the welfare of the 
]ieople. 



/ ^^n^JRCl-; W. .\LL1S().\. a carpenter 
V f? I and well-known citizen of Cook's 
[•"alls, Delaware County, was born ;it 
Liberty l''alls, Sullivan County, \.V., July 
21, 1830. His father, J;imes Allison, who 
was boin in Scotland, and was a carpenter and 
millwright, settled in the town of Liberty, 
and built a mill on Campbell Brook. He also 
built a number of other mills in .Sullivan 
County. He married Lucinda Divine, to 
whom four boys were born, namely: I'hilo. 
who died in the late war: James, Jr., who 
died in 1869: Bradly IL, who married C. 
Ba.xter, ;ifter whose death he married Juliet 
Cook, ami now resides in Cook's Falls, Col- 
chester: and George, the subject of this 
sketch. Mr. James Allison died at Liberty 
Falls, December, 1830, while in the [irime of 



326 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



life, leaving his wife and four children, the 
youngest of whom, George, was a mere infant. 
Mrs. Lucinda Allison died at Colchester 
when sixty-two years of age. She was a 
member of the Presbyterian church. 

George W. Allison grew to manhood in 
Liberty Falls, spending his time working on 
various farms. He bought property in Gra- 
hamsville, .Sullivan County, and, following the 
carpenter's trade, lived there for fifteen years. 
He then purchased a farm near Cook's Falls, 
and engaged in its cultivation, also spending 
some time at his trade. His ne.\t move was 
to the village of Cook's Falls, where he has 
since resided. 

At the age of twenty-three he married Jane 
M., daughter of Henry and Catherine (Black) 
Porter, who lived at Grahamville, Sullivan 
County. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Porter had a 
family of seven children — Elizabeth, Nancy, 
Abbie, Gideon, Jane M., Jeanette, and Ira. 
Mr. Porter was a prosperous farmer, and lived 
to a good old age. Mr. and Mrs. Allison 
have four children: Ida, born September 23, 
1856, who married Alexander Sparks, a truck- 
man of Middletown, N.Y. ; Emma B., born in 
October, 1S62, who married Henry Dekay, 
and has two children: Anna, who was born 
April 14, 1866, and married John Healy, 
freight agent at Middletown, N.Y. ; and Clar- 
ence, born August 17, 1870, who now lives in 
Rockland, and is a quarryman. 

Mr. Allison has held many positions of 
trust, among them being that of Justice of 
Peace, which he has ably filled for twelve 
years, and Justice of Sessions, Commissioner 
of Highways, and Postmaster, which latter 
office he has held since February 3, 1894. 
He is at i)resent a Notary Public. He is a 
Democrat in politics, and is highly respected 
by all his fellow-citizens. In the social fra- 
ternities he is a member of the A. F. & A. M. 
and I. O. R. M. 



Th:PHKX RUSSELL, of whom this 
sketch is intended to be a brief me- 
moir, was born to his parents in Bo- 
vina on the twenty-sixth day of 
January 1824. His father, James Russell, 
was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1790; 




and his mother, Margaret (Brice) Russell, 
was also a native of Scotland. The grand- 
father of Stephen Russell, and the founder of 
this branch of the Russell family in America, 
was William Russell, a Scotch farmer who 
came to America in 1800, and settled in Bo- 
vina, N.Y., where a grandson, Andrew T., 
brother of Stephen, now resides. 

The two hundred acres of ground purchased 
by the emigrant was forest land; and the 
abundance of deer, bears, wolves, and small 
game gave food to the settlers, and furnished 
skins for traffic in the Catskill market, sixty- 
two miles distant. The nearest mill was six 
miles away from the log house of the emi- 
grant, who would shoulder the grist, and walk 
the distance when the bread supply became 
nearly exhausted and the housewife clamored 
for flour. Life in the primitive new settle- 
ment, though hard and rough, was healthful ; 
and William Russell lived to be ninety-five 
years old. The husband and wife followed 
the faith of their fathers, and lived and died 
in the faith of the Presbyterian church. 
Their five children are all now dead. 

James Russell, the father of Stephen, grew 
up in Bovina, and was educated in the primi- 
tive schools of that early period. He was a 
successful farmer, a prominent man among his 
neighbors, and a member of the Reformed 
Presbyterian church. Stephen Russell re- 
ceived his education from the masters in the 
district school, and lived on his father's farm 
until he was twenty-one years old. He then 
went to work for a Mr. William Thompson, 
with whom he remained nearly two years. 
His first year's earnings netted him the 
meagre sum of one hundred and eighty dol- 
lars. His employer raised his wages during 
the last nine months of his service; but 
Stephen Russell had decided to learn a trade 
which would insure him a competence, and so 
became a blacksmith under an apprenticeship 
with Andrew Craig. As soon as he felt him- 
self sufficiently well skilled in his craft, he 
set up a shop for himself in the village. 
Here the stroke of his anvil sounded through 
days of shine and storm; for the smith was an 
industrious man, and found much work to do. 
After nine years, however, he sold his shop, 
and bought a small farm of sixty acres, which 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



327 



he has cnhirgcil by recent additions to its 
present proportions, t\v(j hundred and nine 
acres. Here he has establislietl a dairy farm, 
and keeps a herd of fifty-five mili< cows, 
whose average yearly weight of butter is two 
hundred and seventy-five pounds. He has the 
latest and best machinery for butter-making, 
and takes the deepest interest in his dairy, 
which is one of the largest in Hovina. 

On November 11, 1S50, he was united in 
wedlock to Mary Armstrong, a native of Bo- 
vina. .Mrs. Russell's father was horn in 
Washington County, New York, and came to 
Bovina when the town was in its first stage of 
development. The mother of Mary Arm- 
strong was a Scotch woman. The Armstrongs 
were members of the L'nited Presbyterian 
church, and certainly fulfilled the Biblical in- 
junction to "multiply and replenish the 
earth '" ; for out of a family of twelve children 
ten grew to maturity. Six of them are now 
living, namely: John Armstrong, a resident 
of California; Francis, who lives at the old 
homestead in Bovina; Elsie, Mrs. David 
Oliver; Mrs. Mary Russell; Margaret, Mrs. 
Walter A. Doig; and Ellen ]., Mrs. John J. 
Foster, the latter a resident of Washington 
County. 

To Stephen and Mar\' Russell seven chil- 
dren have been born, as follows: James, born 
December 5, 1851; John A., born June 19, 
1854; Francis, born May 26, 1857; Mar- 
garet, born I'ebruary 6, 1861: William J., 
I"'ebruary 17, 1867; Edwin D., born October 
26, 1869; Henry George, born May 15, 1872. 
The ])arents of this family are in the folds of 
the Christian faith, being members of the 
Reformed Presbyterian church. Mr. Russell 
takes no part in politics, but gives his uiuli- 
vided attention to his work. His hospitality 
and geniality make him a favorite in the 
locality in which he lives; and his butter, 
cream, and milk are well known to the epi- 
cures of Delaware Countv. 



LEXANDER McFARI,ANE and his 
brother, Gilbert Mcl-"arlane, intelli- 
gent and thriving farmers of the 
town of Hamden, are the owners of 
two fine and well-appointed farms, aggregat- 




ing two hundred and twelve acres, [)leasantly 
located in school district No. 12. They 
live together on the old homestead, where 
Gilbert, who is the elder, was born in the 
year 1825, and' Alexander on .'August 7, 
1830. These brothers are of pure .Scotch 
blood, being sons of Malcom and Sarah 
(Crawford) McP'arlane, who were natives of 
Scotland, the ilate of the birth of the father 
being 1790. 

Soon after their marriage this couple emi- 
grated to the United States, in company with 
the bride's parents, Peter and Jennie (Mc- 
Naught) Crawford. They sailed from Glas- 
gow in 1820, and were six weeks on the water 
before reaching New York City. They very 
soon came to this county, settling at first in 
Bovina, and afterward removing to Hamden, 
where Mr. Crawford bought two hundred acres 
of land. .After working on that for about 
three years, Mr. and Mrs. Md'arlane bought 
one hundred acres of wild land, which is now 
included in the ])roperty of their sons. Mr. 
Barrus, an early settler, had here built a 
small frame or board house, filled in with 
sticks and mud; and in this house, to which 
some additions were made, twelve children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Alalconi Md'ar- 
lane, seven sons and five daughters. Three 
sons and five daughters grew to adult life, and 
of these the sons and three of the daughters 
are now living. Malcom, the third son, is a 
resident of California, whither he went as 
soon as he attained his majority, in 1858, 
journeying across the [ilains. On his arrival 
there he engaged in mining for a while, but 
afterward became a hotel-keeper. One of the 
daughters. Janet, the wife of Lewis Launt, a 
farmer, lives in Hamden. Rebecca, the wife 
of Jeremiah Wilson, a farmer, lives in -Sulli- 
van County; and Isabelle, the widow of Will- 
iam H. Beers, resides in DeEancey. Neither 
of the parents is now living, the father hav- 
ing departed this life in September, 1849, '" 
the sixtieth year of his age, and the mother 
following him some four years later. They 
were very successful in their agricultural pur- 
suits, and, in addition to improving their first 
purchase, bought more land. At the time of 
their decease the homestead property con- 
tained two hundred and ten acres, with a good 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



deal of standing timber. They were very up- 
right and religious people, although members 
of no church, and observed Saturday as a day 
of rest. 

The maternal grandparents of the sub- 
ject of this brief record, Peter and Jennie 
(^McNaught) Crawford, reared three sons and 
three daughters; namely, Daniel, Gilbert, 
Peter, Sarah, Katie, and Jennie. Daniel, de- 
ceased, was married, and his widow resides in 
Hamden. Gilbert was a Presbyterian minis- 
ter. Peter, who came to this country five 
years after the arrival of his parents, walked 
from Catskill to Delhi, a distance of si.xty- 
eight miles, in one day. He was a carpenter 
by trade, and his first work in Delaware 
County was on the Delhi court-house. He 
next pursued his vocation in the city of Buf- 
falo, and there wooed and won his bride. 
After living there about fifteen years, he 
traded his Buffalo property for five hundred 
acres of wild land in Hamden; and this he 
sold in 1837, and removed to Chicago. He 
took up one hundred and sixty acres, just out- 
side the city limits; and during his residence 
there he acquired a large property, which at 
the time of his decease was divided among his 
three sons and one daughter. 

Alexander McFarlane and his brother Gil- 
bert are as skilful and scientific farmers as 
can be found in this locality, exercising good 
judgment, and being highly prosperous in all 
their undertakings. Their farm is divided 
into fields and lots by about one thousand rods 
of substantial stone walls, and is well sup- 
plied with all the modern implements and 
machinery necessary for carrying on general 
husbandry. Alexander obtained his education 
in the district school, and at the age of 
twenty-one years hired himself out as a farm 
laborer at thirteen dollars a month, working 
eight months in the year. He learned the 
mason's trade soon after leaving home, and has 
continued to follow this in conjunction with 
farming ever since. He helped to build the 
Delhi branch of the New York, Ontario & 
Western Railway, and was also employed on 
many of the buildings in this locality. He 
began early as a steady man of work, and is 
still an energetic toiler, both he and his 
excellent wife, who has been his faithful help- 



mate, possessing great mental and physical 
vigor. 

On October 14, 1852, he was united in 
marriage to Abby J. Launt, who was born 
in Hamden in 1833. .She is of German an- 
cestry, being a daughter of Philip and Almira 
(Reeves) Launt, the former of whom died 
April 30, 1880, aged seventy-four years, leav- 
ing a widow and seven children, all of whom 
are now living, Mrs. McFarlane being the 
eldest child. Seven sons and five daughters 
have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
McFarlane, and of these two sons and two 
daughters are now living. Philip M., a 
farmer in Hamden, married Anna Seaman; 
and they have one daughter. Jessie, the wife 
of James Wilson, lives in DeLancey. John, 
a farmer, married Maggie McLaury, and re- 
sides in Hamden. Almira, a young lady of 
eighteen years, lives with her parents, and, 
being well versed in the domestic arts, is her 
mother's able assistant. Nettie, who married 
Wilbur Coe, died in 1889, aged twenty-seven 
years, leaving one son, Alexander Coe, now 
tenderly cared for by his grandparents. 

Mr. McFarlane and his family are members 
of the United Presbyterian church at De- 
Lancey. Politically, both he and his brother 
Gilbert, who is a man of great intelligence 
and well informed on all current topics, are 
firm Republicans. Alexander has served as 
Collector two years, as Assessor three years, 
and as Road Commissioner two years. Their 
brother John, at the time of his death, was 
Supervisor of the town. 




RCHIBALD FALCONER MAY- 
NARD is a wealthy and influential 
farmer in Bovina, Delaware County, 
and belongs to a family absolutely 
identified with the history and welfare of this 
gilt-edged town. Bovina was organized on 
the first Tuesday of March, 1820, the earliest 
town-meeting being held in the inn kept by 
John Hastings, two miles from the centre, on 
land still known as the Hastings farm. The 
first town Superintendents and Justices were 
Elisha B. Maynard and Thomas Landon. 
The place was settled chiefly by the Scotch, 
thrifty, industrious. God-fearing people, de- 




fl. F. MaYNilRD. 




Mrs cJennie I. Mrynrrd. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



333 



voted to the I'rcsbyterian cluircli, United or 
Reformed. They early gave their chief at- 
tention to dairy products, in whicli they now 
stand at the head of the county. Indeed, its 
very name, Bovina, coming from the Latin 
word for cow, indicates the main characteris- 
tics of tlie town — still one of the very small- 
est in the county, though at the same time one 
of the richest. Temperance prevails, and not 
a liquor license has been granted for a long 
time. Partly as a result of this policy, there 
is not a pauper in the communit\-. Tennis 
Lake takes its name from the friendly Indian, 
who lived near it on the Doigfarm. The first 
mail was opened on Januar\' 2j, 1821, on the 
shore of Lake Livingston, and the office was 
calleil Fish Lake. Thomas Landon was the 
first Postmaster. Of course, the )dace had 
been settled some thirty years jnx'vious to its 
separation into a township; and in 1796 the 
first mill was erected by -Stephen Palmer for 
Governor Morgan Lewis, who was interested 
in the settlement of the vicinity. The first 
marriage was between James Russell and 
Nancy Richie. The first Supervisor was 
Thomas Landon. The Hastings family in- 
troduced jersey cattle, now to be found on 
every acre: and to the culture of this breed 
special attention is still given by [. K. Hast- 
ings and W. L. Ruff. 

The IVIaynards are of English descent, the 
first immigrants of the name coming to Amer- 
ica about the beginning of the eighteenth 
century, and settling in Westchester County, 
New York, in the town of Rye. The grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch was Elisha 
H. Maynard, who came to this region between 
1790 and 1792. with two yokes of oxen and a 
cart, and settled on Maynard Brook. The 
first birth in the settlement was that of one of 
his sons, Elisha H. Maynard, in 179.V I'io- 
neer Maynard followed the Indian trail, set- 
tling in this valley because it took his fancy, 
;uid purchasing the hundred and fifty acres 
still constituting the Maynard farm. He 
built his log cabin, and cleared his land, 
passing his life in liard work, active in every- 
thing pertaining to the welfare of the town. 
In this homestead were born most of his 
twelve children, five boys and seven girls, all 
of whom have passed away. The patriarch 



was very liberal in his religious views, and 
was a soldier in the War of 1812. In his 
latter years he niovetl back to Westchester 
County to the old .Maynard homestead, where 
he died at a good old age. 

One of his sons, the father of the subject of 
this sketch, was Isaac Maynard. He, of 
course, grew up on tlie farm, and went to the 
district school. Being studious by nature, 
he also studied by himself, giving special at- 
tention to law, so that he was abundantly able 
to fill the office of Justice of Peace for a 
(piarter- century, though his life business was 
farming, in which he was assisted by his 
sons. His marriage took place on January 
22, 1824: and his wife was Jane Falconer, 
born September 9, 1797. Through her the 
suljject of this sketch came by his first name, 
as she was the daughter of Archibald Falconer, 
who was born in Scotland, and came to this 
country in 1795. For a while Mr. Falconer 
lived in New York City, and then removed to 
Stamford, Delaware County, where he died 
in 1842. Isaac Maynard and his wife had five 
children, of whom four are now living: 
Elisha H., a Bovina farmer; IClsprit V., de- 
ceased, was the wife of .'\. H. Johnston, now 
of Hamden; Archibald I'alconer; Esther, the 
wife of luiward Combs, a Delaware farmer; 
and Judge Isaac H. Maynard, a resident of 
Stamford, who has an office in Albany, a man 
whose public career has of late years excited 
so much attention. The father of these chil- 
dren lived to the advanced age of eighty-two, 
and then was killed by a runaway horse. In 
religious views he was liberal, like his father, 
and in politics he was a Democrat; his wife 
who died at the age of seventy, was a Pres- 
byterian. 

Archibald F. iMayn:inl was born on the 
homestead where he still lives, on Novendier 
14. 1829. He takes i)ride in the condition ni 
this ancestral farm, unchanged in area, though 
it has kept up with the times in adopting the 
latest methods. Archibald attended the dis- 
trict school, and felt it a duty and privilege 
to remain at home and care for his jwrents 
when they needed his help; but he did not 
m;irry till June 2, 1875, when over forty-five 
years of age. His wife was Jennie Isabel 
Cowan, born in Stamford, January 29, 1849. 



334 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Her father, Hector Cowan, was also born in 
Stamford; but her mother, whose maiden 
name was Esther Nesbitt, was born in Bovina. 
Mr. Cowan was a mechanic, and died before 
he had completed his half-century, while his 
widow lived to be seventy years old. Both 
were earnest I'resbyterian church members at 
South Kortright; and they had seven chil- 
dren, five now living. Mary Cowan married 
John N. McCracken, of Oneonta, Otsego 
County. Jennie Cowan is the wife of, Mr. 
Maynard, and her likeness accompanies that 
of her husband. William H. Cowan lives in 
Montgomery, Orange County; he married 
Miss Mary Keesler, of Orange County, New 
York. Nancy Cowan is the wife of William 
R. Brock, of Stamford. George N. Cowan 
resides in the same town; his wife was 
Jessie B. Gillespie, now deceased. 

The Maynard estate is in the prime of cul- 
tivation. Its owner maintains that every farm 
should produce enough feed for its live stock. 
Therefore he does not buy grain, like many 
other milk farmers, and prefers to have the 
creatures at pasture in the summer. Never- 
theless, his is the model farm, his nineteen 
lersey cows and heifers yielding in 1893 
about four thousand one hundred pounds of 
golden butter, besides what was used in the 
family, the dairy being run only through the 
summer season. The farm buildings are in 
the finest order. The family residence, 
built in 1887, is both beautiful and costly, 
and is provided with every modern conven- 
ience. Like the mansion, the grounds are 
elaborately arranged and decorated. To every 
detail of the farm work the owner gives his 
personal attention. In every local enterprise 
he is thoroughly interested, like his progeni- 
tors. Like his father and grandfather, Mr. 
Maynard is a Democrat, and has been four 
years Justice of Peace. The family attend 
the United Presbyterian church at Bovina 
Centre. There is one son only, William II. 
Maynard, born June 6, 1876, in the centen- 
nial year. In the class of 1894 ho graduated 
honorably at the Delaware Academy in Delhi. 
He is now attending Westminster College, 
New Wilmington, Pa. 

As the reader turns to view the portrait of 
Mr. Archibald F. Maynard on a neighboring 



page, opposite that of Mrs. Maynard, he may 
well call to mind the words of that enlight- 
ened Democratic philosopher and president, 
Thomas Jefferson, " Let the farmer forever- 
more be honored in his calling, for they who 
labor in the earth are the chosen people of 
God." 



AMES R. HONEYWELL, County 
Treasurer, became the incumbent of 
this responsible office in the year 1886, 
and since that period has faithfully 
and efficiently discharged the duties connected 
with it. He is known as a man of intelli- 
gence, honesty, and ability, and is regarded 
as a good authority on questions of finance. 
Having by close attention to business accumu- 
lated, while yet in the prime of life, a fair 
competence, he is now enabled to devote his 
entire time to the large interests intrusted to 
his care. Among the solid and substantial 
citizens of Delhi he holds an honored posi- 
tion and one which he has well earned. 

Mr. Honeywell is a native of Delaware 
County, having been born December i, 1842, 
in the town of Walton, which was also the 
birthplace of his parents, Alfred and Mar- 
garet (Russell) Honeywell, the latter being of 
Scotch parentage. He is of pioneer ancestry, 
his great-grandfather, Matthias Honeywell, a 
Revolutionary soldier, having been an early 
settler of Walton, where he cleared and im- 
proved a good homestead. The grandfather, 
William Honeywell, was a soldier in the War 
of 1 81 2, and after its close carried on his 
trade of miller in the town of Walton, re- 
maining there until his decease. 

Mr. Honeywell grew to man's estate in the 
place of his nativity, receiving the common- 
school advantages to which every child was 
entitled. Possessing excellent business tact 
and shrewdnes.s, he early turned his attention 
toward mercantile pursuits, and in 1865 be- 
came a resident of Delhi, entering the em- 
ploy of Henry England as a clerk in his store. 
In this capacity he proved himself eminently 
trustworthy, and in the course of a few years 
became thoroughly conversant with the mer- 
cantile business, and found it so congenial to 
his tastes that in 1872 he bought out the 



RIOORAPHICAI, RF.VIF.W 



MS 



interest of Mr. I'ji^iaiul in the store, ami was 
for several years one of the leading nierehants 
of Delhi. During his residenee here he has 
aetjuired a re|)utation for financial sagaeit\- 
and executive ability, and has been elected 
to various offices of trust. He is at jiresent 
one of the tiustees of the Delaware Acadeinv. 
and is a director of the Delaware Loan & 
Trust Company. I'oliticall\', Mr. lIone\\vell 
is an uncompromising Republican, and frater- 
nally is prominent in masonic circles, being- 
Trustee of Delhi Lodge, King of Delhi Chap- 
ter, and belonging to Norwich C^ommandery. 

The imion of Mr. IIone\well and .Miss 
Mary W'alsworth, of Sing-Sing, X.\'., was 
solemnized some ten years since; and two 
children, Warren and Marguerite, haw come 
to gladden their liearts and brighten their 
tireside. The\' ha\'e an attractive and c()se\- 
residence on High Street, where thev liis- 
pense a generous hospitality to their numerous 
triends and acquaintances. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Honevwell are communicants of the 
Methodist I'iliiscopal church and active 
workers in the Sunda\'-school. 




BADIAII M. NI-:FI-\ a well-known 
farmer and dairyman of Deposit, was 
born in Lawrence, Otsego County, 
July I V iSj2, son of Jacob R. and 
Xancy (^Thayer) Ncff. The father of Jacob 
H. Xeff was a inonecr settler in the eastern 
part of New York, and dietl in early manhood, 
leaving his widow and children to the care of 
his son. who was born and educated in Am- 
sterdam, Montgomerv Countv, and there 
learned the trade of a coojjer. When ijuite 
young, Jacob moved with the family to Law- 
rence, where he purchased a tract of land, and 
made a home for his widowetl mother and his 
brothers and sisters. He cleareil the land, 
erectetl a log cabin, and worked both at farm- 
ing and at his trade of coojier. His mother 
carded, wove, and spim all the riax and wool 
used for the clothes of her family, proving 
herself an exceptionalh' capable and industri- 
ous woman. 

When nineteen years of age, Jacob B. Xeff 
marrietl Xancy Thayer, of Otsego Count\-, a 
daughter of Asa and Lydia Thayer, In 1839 



he disposed (jf his [iroperty in Lawrence, and 
moved to Tompkins, Delaware County, in the 
section now known as l)e]3osit. He pur- 
chased two hundred acres of i)artially cleare<l 
land in Barbourville, and followed the occu- 
pations of a farmer and a cooper, at which he 
was employed until his death at eighty years, 
his wife having died a short time jirevious. 
They had eight children; n;niiely, Obadiah, 
^Llrtha, Asa, Nancy, Lucy, Rebecca, Will- 
iam, and I'^sther. .Mr. Xeff was a Democrat, 
and both he and his wife were life-long mem- 
beis of the Christian church. 

Obadiah M. Xeff was educated in Law- 
rence, and learned the cooper's trade, doing 
to work by the month when seventeen, he was 
employed in that way until he started out for 
himself at the age of tweuty-fou!-. He bought 
a tract of timbered laiul in Tom[)kins, built 
him a frame house, and engaged in Umibering 
and farming. On T'ebruary 18, 1840, he mar- 
ried Miss .\Liry Ann Culver, daughter of 
loshua and I'arlina (Mills) Culver, of .Mason- 
ville. 

Ichabotl Culver, the father of Joshua, came 
from Dutchess to Delaware County before the 
Revolutionary War, when the country around 
there was a desolate wilderness; and he was 
killed at the raising of a mill buihiing. In 
those days the settlers were obliged to take 
their live stock into the house to jjrotect them 
from the wild animals, which were exceed- 
ingly abundant. The grandmother of Mrs. 
Neff was once followed by a panther, and was 
obliged to galIo|3 for many miles before she 
finally reached shelter and escaped the fero- 
cious beast. Joshua Cidver was a farmer ;m(l 
lumberman, clearing a large tract of land in 
Barbourville; and his wife manufactured all 
the cloth used for the family. .Six of their 
children lived to reach maturity; namely, 
Thomas, Mary Ann. Hannah. Khdra, Ange- 
line, and Cynthia. Three died within three 
weeks of one another- Betsey Jane, Alice, 
and Henrietta. 

Mr. and Mrs. Obadiah XetT have t\vc chil- 
dren now living, namelv: Walter, who mar- 
ried \'ioletta Knajjp, and has two children: 
Alice, the wife of \'aldermar Mayo, of De- 
]5osit, and the mother of five children; 
I''rnest, who married Xettie Miles, of Deposit, 



336 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



and has one child; William; and Edmund. 
Three of their children, Amelia, Alonzo, and 
Joshua, died when quite young. Mr. Neff 
and his son Walter arc engaged in farming on 
the old homestead, and in dairying, in which 
they are very successful. Mr. Neff is as 
strong and active as in former years, and his 
genial countenance is welcome wherever it is 
seen. 




iHARLES SMITH ALLABEN, 
M.D., a prominent medical practi- 
tioner of Margarettville, in Middle- 
town, Delaware County, N.Y., was 
born in Delhi on January 27, 1855. His 
father, James R. Allaben, was a son of John 
Allaben, and a grandson of Jonathan Allaben. 
Jonathan Allaben was born in Connecticut, 
but went to Long Island, and was drowned in 
Long Island Sound not many years after the 
Revolution. His son, John Allaben, was born 
on Long Island, and married Fezon Mclntyre. 
He removed to Delhi, and next to Roxbury, 
where he bought a farm, and remained until 
death, at sixty-four years of age. He had 
several children, seven of whom grew up. 
Orson M. Allaben, M.D., married Thankful 
Dimmick, and had two children, both dying 
young. Wilson Allaben, M.D., by his wife 
Nancy was the father of six children. Jona- 
than C. Allaben, M.D., married Angelina 
Decker, and is now dead. His widow sur- 
vives. They were the parents of seven chil- 
dren, four of whom still live. The Rev. 
William N. Allaben, of Margarettville, is the 
only one of the family now living. He is in 
his seventy-ninth year, and has been married 
three times. He had five children by his first 
wife and two by the second, but has only one 
now living. Abigail Allaben married. She 
and her husband are both deceased. James 
R. Allaben is the subject of further mention 
below. Sarah Antoinette Allaben married 
William R. Sanford, and died, leaving six 
children, having had ten or twelve. 

James R. Allaben was born in Roxbury, 
October 20, 1823, and was educated in the 
district school and at Delaware Academy. 
He was admitted to the bar in 1848, being 
one of the first lawyers to study with Judge 



Wheeler, and in i860 served as one of the 
Presidential electors who recorded the vote of 
the people for Abraham Lincoln. In Jan- 
uary, 1853, he married Ellen P. Smith, of 
Delhi, a daughter of James and Eliza M. 
Smith. James Smith was born in Andes, but 
came to Delhi, where he was known as a reli- 
able merchant. His children were: Amasa 
J. Smith, who married Eusebia Faulkner; 
Charles B. Smith, who died at the age of 
eighteen or nineteen; Eliza M., who became 
the wife of Henry R. Washbon ; and Ellen P. 
Smith, Mrs. Allaben, who died April 15, 
1874. Her husband, James R. Allaben, was 
appointed United States Storekeeper in 1861, 
and went to Brooklyn, where, with the excep- 
tion of three years, he remained until death, 
on September 14, 1893. They had seven 
children. William H. Allaben married in 
Brooklyn. Charles S. Allaben is the !\Iar- 
garettville Doctor. Eliza M. Allaben mar- 
ried George T. Moore, and lives in Brooklyn. 
Orson M. Allaben, second, died young. 
James R. Allaben, Jr., married Anna Mc- 
Nitt, and died F"ebruary 15, 1889, leaving 
one child, Nelson James Allaben. Two other 
children, John and Ellen C. Allaben, did not 
live to grow up. 

Charles S. Allaben was educated in the 
Brooklyn public schools and the Delaware 
Academy, and was graduated frcnn the New 
York College of Physicians and Surgeons on 
May 16, 1882. He commenced practising in 
Brooklyn, and remained there a year. Then 
he went to Otsego County, where during seven 
years of successful practice he met and mar- 
ried on March 28, 1883, Mary Electa Moore, 
a daughter of Albert G. and Elizabeth A. 
(Beardsley) Moore. Mr. Moore was a banker, 
and had a family of three children: Mary E. 
Moore, born July 9, 1862; and Anna E. and 
Jessie B. Moore, both dead. Mr. Moore died 
in his forty-third year; but his widow is liv- 
ing now, makes her home in Morris, Otsego 
County, and is sixty-one years old. Dr. 
Allaben has one son, Charles Moore Allaben, 
born October 15, 1885. The Doctor is one of 
the village Trustees. He has lived on Wal- 
nut Street since 1890, and, being a kinsman 
of the late noted Dr. Orson M. Allaben, is 
rapidly gaining the implicit confidence of that 



BIOGRAl'lIICAL REVIEW 



337 



gcntlciiKurs I'riciuls. Mai\L;ai'i.'ttviIlc is in- 
deed lortunale in secui'iiij; sucii a citizen to 
help humanity. 

•■ ICiiiiiN' iho niikk-n miin\L-iUs ;i> they pass. 
Aiifl '',un now strcnmh lor d.ws that arc to foiiK'." 




RS. I.Al'RA (ilLLETT. one nl' 
tlic most estinial)le and highly I'e- 
spected women t)f the town of 
l'"fanklin, where she lias long- 
been a prominent resident, is the widow of 
the late Jacob Gillett, who died in this town 
on the farm where he was born, JaiUKir\- i. 
1893. The (iilletts were among the pioneer 
.settlers of Delaware Cotmty. Joel Gillett, 
the father of facob, was born at Hebron, 



Conn., February 



7y;^, a .son of Kzekiel 



Gillett, a well-to-do farmer, a soklier of the 
Revolution, who died in Connecticut in kSk), 
at seventy-six years of age. Joel (jillett 
served in the War of 1812. lie married Cla- 
rissa Carrier, of Connecticut; and she in 1 8oj 
joined her husband in Franklin, he ha\-ing 
come here the year before with o.\en and cait 
to make a new home for himself antl tamil\'. 
It was a dense wilderness that this energetic 
cou|")le were obliged to penetrate, and in the 
midst of which they made a clearing and buili 
their house, having purchased the land from 
George Gillett, a brother of Joel, who had 
come in 1800, and bought (Jiie huntired and 
eighty-seven acres. 

Here Mr. and Mrs. Joel (iillelt reared their 
large family of thirteen children, all of whom, 
with the e.Nception of one son, lived to reach 
maturity with families of their own. But 
three of these children still stirvivi-, namely: 
Joel, Jr., who resides in Afton at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-seven years ; Warren, in 
Oneonta, aged seventy-seven; Almira, widow 
of Reuben -Stilson. Joel Gillett died in his 
eightieth year, Api'il 25, 1853, in the home 
which he had built, his wife living to be 
eighty-five years old. Hoth were members of 
the Congregational church, in which faith the\ 
died: and they now slee]) in the Ouleout ceme- 
tery. Their son Jacob was liorn in 1S20, and 
on Octoi)er 2 [ , 1 847, married the subject of this 
sketch, who was then Miss Laura Cleveland. 

Mrs. Laura Gillett was born in Kortright, 



December 4, 18J3. Her parents, Le\i and 
Rebecca (Dibble) Cleveland, were both of 
Kortright, where they were married in 1820. 
They reared a family of eight children. One 
son, Curtis Cleveland, died in Tioga County, 
Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in farm- 
ing, and left three sons and one (laughter. A 
daughter, I'olly Clevclaiul, wife of Da\id 
I"itcii, passed away in Sidney in 1872, being 
fifty-one years of age. The si.\ children now 
living arc: Mrs. Gillett; .Sarah, widow of 
.Seth Hartlett, in .Sidney; Amelia Ann, widow 
of McNight Hirdsall, near Unadilla; Chester, 
in .Sidney; Noah, who ic.sicles in Crooker- 
ville: and David, in L'nadilla. 

Mrs. Gillett has been called upon to [xirt 
with two sons: Dax'id, who died in Marcli, 
1863, in his fifteenth year; and Joel, a rail- 
road employee, who passed away January ji, 
1883, being twenty-eight years old. On Jan- 
tiary 1, 1893, her beloved htisband w-as taken 
awa\' ; :ind she and her children were left to 
mourn the loss of one who had been the 
teniler, faithftil head of the happy household. 
Jacob (lillett was an intelligent, high-minded, 
genial man, luiiformlv courteous and kind, 
widelv known and highly respected in his na- 
ti\e town; and by his death an irreparable 
loss was sustained by the whole commiuiity 
as well as the bereaved family. lie died in 
the house where he had been born, and in 
which the family at present reside, it still 
being a wel l-])reserved dwelling of modern 
appearance, though built seventy-five years 
ago, having been at all times kept in excellent 
repair. The fine barn was built bv Mi'. Ciil- 
lett in I 880. 

.Mrs. Gillett has four children now living, 
namely: Urania, wdfe of Charles Wheaton, 
who resides near the old home, and has one 
daughter; luneline, wife of Manning [•"leniing, 
a farmer in I'ranklin, with two daughters: 
I'lora, wife of George Stewart, a farmer of 
Hainbritlge: and Levi, who married Miss 
Carrie Juild, datighter of Ira Judd, ami lives 
at home, assisting his mother in the care of 
tlie farm. He and his wife have one son, an 
interesting lad of nine years. In ])olitics Mr. 
Gillett was a stanch Republican. Mrs. Gil- 
lett is a warm-hearted, religious woman, a 
faithful member of the Congregational church. 



338 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



nr^AVID MUIR, an industrious and 
I =1 prosperous dairyman and farmer of 
1^9/ Andes, Delaware County, N.Y., 
was born at the homestead where he 
now resides, December 25, 1845. His grand- 
father, James Muir, was a native of Fifeshire, 
Scotland, where he followed the occupation of 
a shepherd, and lived to a good old age. A 
son of James, David Muir, Sr., the father of 
the present David Muir, of Andes, was born 
in Dundee, and, while still a young man, came 
to America, landing in New York City. He 
lived there for seven years, being mostly em- 
ployed at his trade of stone-cutter. He then 
married Miss Charlotte Turnbull, who was 
also a native of Scotland, and, removing to 
Andes, bought the farm which his son now 
occupies. It was partially improved; and a 
mill, one of the first in this part of the coun- 
try, was situated on the land. 

David Muir operated the mill in connection 
with his farm for many years, living in a log 
house. His first purchase of land included 
two hundred acres, to which he added from 
time to time until at the period of his death, 
at seventy-eight years of age, he was the 
possessor of three hundred and fifty acres of 
land. A hard worker, efficient manager, and 
liberal-minded man, he succeeded in accumu- 
lating a comfortable fortune, and, what is far 
more important, in winning for himself an 
enviable position in the hearts of his towns- 
people. He was a Republican in his later 
years, although a Jackson Democrat in former 
times. His wife died when seventy-two years 
of age, the mother of eight children, namely: 
James, a jeweller and lumberman in Andes; 
Thomas, who died when fifty years of age; 
Alexander, a resident of Bradford County, 
Pennsylvania; Margaret, wife of Alfred Glen- 
denning, of Andes; Mary, who lives at the 
old home; David, of whom this biography 
is written; Henry D., of Bradford County, 
Pa. ; and John, a carpenter at Stamford. 

David Muir resided with his parents and 
grew to manhood in Andes, attending the dis- 
trict schools and later the academy of the 
town. Wisely deciding to devote himself to 
agriculture as his life work, he at length pur- 
chased the old homestead of three hundred 
and fifty acres, and is now the owner of one of 



the largest farms in this neighborhood. Mr. 
Muir operates a large dairy, keeping seventy 
Jersey cows and dealing in blooded stock. 
He has given great attention to this industry, 
and owns a superior herd of cattle, his cows 
producing an average of two hundred and fifty 
pounds of butter per head in the year 1892 and 
1893. The buildings on his farm have been 
recently remodelled; and his spacious barn, 
which was erected in 18S4, can accommodate 
seventy-two head of cattle. 

On January 14, 1885, ]\Ir. Muir married 
Miss Mary Hyzer, a native of Andes, and 
daughter of Ira W. and Margaret Hyzer. Her 
father was an early settler of Andes, and died 
in July, 1893, being survived by his wife. 
Mr. and Mrs. Muir are the parents of two 
children: Myrtle M., born July 4, 1887; and 
David Leslie, born June 9, 1889. Mr. Muir 
is a Republican; and he and his wife are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church 
at Andes, where they are highly respected. 
He is a practical, industrious man, who has 
given his undivided attention to the best 
methods of farming and dairying, and has 
been deservedly successful in his various 
undertakings. 




ICHARD A. ROGERS, who is now 

living in the town of Walton, retired 

from the active pursuits of life, 

has spent more than fourscore years 

its limits, and has been an important 

in promoting its growth from a small 

a thick forest, to its 

populous condition. 

New England stock, 



within 
factor 

hamlet, surrounded with 
present flourishing and 
He comes of substantial 
but is a native of this State, having been born 
in the town of Tompkins, May 6, 1810. His 
parents, Asa and Catherine (Hamilton) 
Rogers, were of New England birth, his 
father having been born in Massachusetts in 
1770, and his mother in Connecticut in 1775. 
In 1798 Asa Rogers and his wife migrated 
to this State, bringing with them one child, 
and settling in Delaware County, on the 
banks of the Susquehanna River, where he 
carried on his trade of a miller for a time. 
Two years later Mr. Rogers moved to Tomp- 
kins, where he engaged in the lumber busi- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



339 



ness with one John Carpenter, remainin^^ in 
partnership with liim until \8\2, when he 
returnee] to Walton. Here he hous^ht one 
hundred and ei,i;hl acres of wooded land, 
mostly hemlock and hard timber, and, erect- 
inj; a log cabin, began the improvement of a 
farm. By his skilful management ami ener- 
getic toil he clearetl and improvetl a good 
homestead; ami before his death, which 
occurred in 1842, he hail erected a substantial 
frame house and the necessary barn and farm 
buildings, and had increased the acreage to 
one hundred and twenty acres. }lis wife out- 
lived him several years, dying in 1865. They 
reared a family of three children, namel)- : 
Fanny; William; and Richard A., the sub- 
ject of this sketch, l-'anny niarrieti Jared 
Marvin, and became the mother of five sons 
and three daughters, all of whom, with the 
exception of one son, grew to maturity, four 
sons and one daughter being yet alive. Mrs. 
Marvin died in 1873, being then seventy-five 
years old. William, who succeeded his father 
in the ownership of the old homestead, died 
there in 1870, aged sixty-seven \ears. He 
married Betsey Felton, of Mamden ; and they 
became the parents of three sons and five 
daughters, of whom Edwaril, who lives in 
Michigan, and Harriet, a resident of Scran- 
ton, Pa., are the only ones now living. 

Richard A., the youngest son, was but two 
years old when his parents settled on their 
farm in this town, and he was there reared to 
manhood. Being a very good student, he ac- 
quired as good an education as the schools of 
the town affortled, and was employed two win- 
ters as a teacher in the district school. He 
next began life as a farmer and lumberman, 
and for ten years carried on general farming 
on the mountain, and was afterwartl for a 
space of thirty years employed in the manu- 
facture of lumber. Mr. Rogers was also for 
many years a prominent carpenter and joiner, 
taking contracts for several substantial build- 
ings. In his varietl occupations he has been 
remarkably successful, gaining substantial 
pecuniary rewards. 

(_)n the 22(1 of November, 1832, he w-as 
united in marriage to Harriet Hanford, a na- 
tive of Walton, born November 27, 1814, 
being a daughter of Stephen and Mary (Hojt) 



llanloril. 1 wo sons were born to ,Mr. anti 
Mrs. Rogers, the elder of whom, Charles B., 
born I'ebruary 16, 183S, died November 2/, 
1853. The younger, Williain il.. who was 
born in 1840, died in 1S80, leaving .1 widow, 
formerly Mary I.. Crawley, the tiaughter of 
.■\bner and Idiza (Barstow) Crawley, and two 
children: .Anna 1'^, a young lady living .it 
home; and Charles .\., a clerk and sales- 
man for George C). Mead. Tlu'se two chil- 
dren with their widowed mother are beloved 
and welcome inmates of the home of ]\Ir. 
Rogers; and since the tleath of his estimable 
wife, which occurred in September, 1884, 
after fifty-two )'ears of happy wedded life, 
they have largely contributeil to his domestic 
comfort and enjojnient. Politicall)-, .Mr. 
Rogers is a strong Republican, and in the 
years of his activity took a warm interest in 
local and public affairs. I'or many years he 
was Captain of an independent rifle company 
in Walton, and quite familiar with mi!itar\- 
tactics. Religiously, he is a valued member 
of the Congregational church, in which he has 
served with fidelity as Deacon for twenty-four 
years. 




Ijaper 



l.MUN liOLlWAR CHAAH'ION is 
among the infiuential inhabitants of 
the town of .Stamford, where he is 
publisher ol the leading Democratic 
I the county. He is i)robably one of 
the oldest editois in the F.mpire State: for he 
established the Mtrrvr in liloomviUe, Dela- 
ware Count}-, in 1851. The Champions arc 
of old Connecticut stock, the first emigrant 
having settk-d in Saybrook in 1647, though 
later one branch of the family removeii to Ot- 
sego County. Henr}' Champion, who came 
from ]uigland in 1645, was born in 1620; and 
succeeding Champions, through whom his 
blood reaches tnir subject, were iiorn res]iec- 
tively in 1654, 1684, 1729, 1769. They were 
all able and enlightened men. One Henr\- 
Champion, born in 1729, was within five 
years of his half-century when the Revolution 
broke out; but he joined the army in Mav, 
1776, and was rapidly |)romoted from oflfice to 
ofTice, till he became Captain. He was also 
connected with the engineering and commis- 



340 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



sary departments, and for some time supplied 
Washington's army with fat cattle. Aaron 
Champion, born August 5, 1794, one hundred 
years ago, was a millwright, and married VA- 
mina Brown, of Schenevus, N.Y. 

Simon B. Champion, son of Aaron and I£l- 
mina, was born at East Worcester, in Otsego 
County, September 7, 1825. He attended the 
district schools till September 7, 1840. when 
he was fifteen, and then went to Cooperstown, 
to learn the printing trade with the Hon. 
J. H. Prentiss, in the office of the Fnciiian' s 
Journal. In 1844, during the Democratic 
campaign which elected Polk and Dallas 
against Clay and Frelinghuysen, he was the 
Otsego correspondent of the Albany Ari^ns^ 
furnishing its readers with full reports of the 
Democratic meetings in Otsego County. 
After six years' apprenticeship in the Coop- 
erstown printing-ofifice, he became foreman, 
and worked for nine months as a journeyman 
printer. In 1847 he left Cooperstown for 
Prattsville in Greene County, where he en- 
tered into partnership with John L. Hackstaff, 
in the publication of the Prattsville Advocate, 
a Democratic paper. Among other new de- 
partures he placed a section of the paper 
under the special caption of "Home Matters," 
and was perhaps the pioneer in this method of 
arranging a local news department. After a 
couple of successful years his health gave 
way, and he moved to Bloomville, and, so far 
as strength wouUl allow, worked in his 
father's grist-mill. As he grew stronger, 
however, his first love returned, and he estab- 
lished the Minor on a small scale; but he 
soon had to enlarge it, so that during our war 
he had thirty-six hundred subscribers, a large 
number for the time and place. There were 
then only three other papers in the county, 
and at this date there are about twenty. In 
1870 he removed the J//;7'c;- from Bloomville 
to Stamford, where it has been published ever 
since, and is one of the best country papers in 
this part of the State. 

While no office-seeker, Mr. Champion has 
held many local positions of trust, never 
allowing them to interfere with the Mirror. 
In 1858 he declined a nomination to the State 
Assembly, though unanimously made, deem- 
ing this for the best interests of his paper. 



In i860 he was the Democratic candidate for 
County Treasurer, and ran a hundred votes 
ahead of his ticket, but was defeated, like 
almost every Democrat, that being the year of 
the Lincoln axalanche. The same year he 
was appointed Assistant Marshal for taking 
the national census, having special charge of 
the towns of Kortright, Meredith, and Daven- 
port. On January 3, 1861, he was one of the 
delegates to the celebrated Democratic Peace 
Convention at Albany, and in 1868 was one 
of the Presidential Electors, casting his vote 
with the New York delegation for Horatio 
Seymour for President of the United States, 
against General Grant. Always willing to 
bear his share of any duty, he has frequently 
been a member of county and State conven- 
tions, and was in 1856-57 Postmaster at 
Bloomville, and in 1870-71-72 Deputy Post- 
master at Stamford. He has been Trustee of 
village schools, a member of the Stamford 
Board of Education, High-priest of Delta 
Chapter, No. 185, of Royal Arch Masons, etc. 

In 1857 Mr. Champion married Mary L. 
McCollum, who was born March 21, 1829, a 
daughter of Reuben McCollum, of Bloomville; 
and they have reared four children, two sons 
and two daughters. Amasa Junius Champion 
was born April 10, 1858, and married Mary 
Rexford. Elmina Champion was born July 
20, i860, and is the wife of John Dewitt 
Church. Clifford Champion was born May 2, 
1864. Lucy Brown Champion was born on 
October 8, 1869, and died December 31, 1873. 
Nellie Champion was born January 27, 1873. 

Amasa J. Champion learned the printing 
business in his father's office. After grad- 
uating at the Stamford Seminary in 1885, 
he published the Davenport Transcri/'t. In 
1 89 1 he sold the plant to Walter Scott. 
After a vacation he bought the Hobart /luic- 
pcndcnt at Hobart, published a year, and then 
disposed of his interest in that paper to a 
stock company, and went back to his father's 
offices, where he is assistant editor, and has a 
stationery and book store. Mr. Champion's 
youngest son, Clifford, after finishing his 
studies at the Stamford Seminary, learned 
the printing business with his father, and 
does the job printing. In April, 1894, he 
and F. G. Hartwell started the Prattsville 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



34» 



Aiivociitf at Prattsville, drccnc County, a 
bright, newsy Democratic sheet, which already 
has a circulation of nearly a thousand copies 
[KM- week. For a short time he was a Clerk 
in the Treasury Department at Washington, 
bestowed upon him in part because of devotion 
of the Champions to the Democratic party. 
A famous journalist has truly said — and the 
career of the Champions confirms its truth - 
"Journalism is an immense power, that 
threatens soon to supersede sermons, lectures, 
and books." 



ir\AVID \\lLI.IAM.SON, a retired 

|f=H merchant of the town of Delhi, 
^— Jl^^ Delaware County, N.\'., was born 
in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland, 
December 17, 1819. Mis father and grand- 
father, John and James Williamson, were 
both natives of Scotland and wea\ers by 
trade. John Williamson died at the early 
age of forty, leaving a widow ant! six chil- 
dren, namely: David; Betsy, the wife of 
Alexander Low, residing in Scotland; John; 
Robert; Ann, married to Charles Smith, of 
Bovina, N.V.; and Mary, who died young. 
^Irs. Williamson came to this country, and 
here spent the last years of her life, dying in 
the town of Delhi at the advanced age of 
eighty-eight. 

David Williamson spent his early years in 
Forfarshire, Scotland, attending the schools 
there, and obtaining a sound common-school 
education, after which he learned the trade of 
weaver. At the age of twenty-two he left his 
native land tor America, coming directly to 
Delhi, and went to work for Mr. Edwards, 
learning the trade of a house and sign painter. 
In this capacity he worketl for about ten 
years, and then opened a store for himself, 
dealing in all kinds of paints and paper-hang- 
ings. He continued in this line for the 
])eriod of forty years, doing a successful busi- 
ness, and is one of two survivors who com- j 
menced business in Delhi at the same time, 
the others having passed away. He has built 
for himself one of the finest residences in 
town, which is fitted with every modern con- 
venience. 

Mr. Williamson was married July 5, 1847, 



to Miss luiphemia Damont, a native of Wal- 
ton, Delaware County, the date of her birth 
being February 8, iS.'cj. Jk-r lather and 
mother were descendants of Scotch High- 
landers, and were the jiarents of four chil- 
dren. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have two 
children. .Mary .\., born April 2, 1848, is 
the wife of Alexander Oliver, of Delhi, and 
has five children -^ Charles, James, Grace, 
I.izzie, and Mabel. The second child, John 
H.. was born September 5, 1850, and is now 
a resident of California. He married Clara 
Belle Peterson, and thev have two sons — 
David \'. and Charles A. 

Mr. Williamson is a member of tiie Inde- 
pendent Order of Otld Fellows, and is al.so a 
strong sui)porter of the Republican party. 
Both he and his wife are members of the Sec- 
ond Presbyterian Church, of which for ten 
years he was Trustee, at the ]iresent time 
being Treasurer. He is self-made in the true 
sense of the term; and to that mixture of de- 
termination, energy, and honesty peculiar to 
the Scottish race his successful business 
career may be ascribed. He is a man of gen- 
erous impulses, ever ready to give a helping 
hand or word of ad\ice to thosewho iiave been 
less successful than himself. 




HARLES L. AXDRUS, an eminent 
lawyer of Stamford, Delaware County, 
N.V., was born in Roxbury, which 
lies south of Stamford, on Decem- 
ber 10, 1859. He received his education in 
the district schools of Roxbury and in Stam- 
ford Seminar}-, where lie was' graduated in 
1877. In 1878 he began the study of law 
with Judge Maynard, with whom he remained 
till he was admitted to the bar in 1881. For 
three years he was Clerk to the Surrogate's 
Court for Delaware County at Delhi, and on 
January i. 1885, went into partnership with 
Judge Isaac H. Maynard. They settled for 
practice in Stamford, remaining together till 
1887, when Mr. Andrus opened" an "office for 
himself. He was alone till 1890, when he 
formed a partnership with Judge I-". R. Gil- 
bert, staying with him for about three years, 
and since that time has carried on his 
profession alone. 



342 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



At the age of twenty-seven he married 
Alice Bowne, whose father, Norwood Bowne, 
was for a number of years editor of the IJchi- 
ware /{v/>irss of Delhi. A prominent, well- 
known citizen, Mr. Bowne died at the age of 
seventy-four. Mr. and Mrs. Andrus have two 
children: Bessie K.. who was born April lo, 
1889; and Mary B., who was born April 13, 
1891. 

Mr. Andrus is a Deniocrat. and a member 
of the Presbyterian church, lie belongs to 
.St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 289, A. I<". & A. M., 
of Hobart, Delta Chapter, No. 185, Royal 
Arch Masons, of Stamford, and is a member of 
Rondout Comniandery, No. 52, Knights Tem- 
plars, also non-resident member of the Kings- 
ton Club of Kingston, N.V. He has an 
office on Main Street, and a very pleasant 
residence on Delaware Street, which was built 
in 1886. He is the leading lawyer of Stam- 
ford, having a very large practice, and is con- 
sidered a man of much ability and greatly 
respected among his clients and friends. 



LBERT PAYNE, a clear-headed, well- 
to-do farmer of the town of Franklin, 
Delaware County, is descended 
from an old English family which 
was one of the first to settle in the State of 
New York. His father, Isaac Payne, was a 
native of l-'.ast Hampton, L.I., where he was 
born in 1782. His trade was that of a tanner 
and shoemaker: hut later he adopted the life 
of a farmer, in which he was very successful. 
Isaac Payne was a soldier in the War of 18 12, 
manfully doing his duty in his country's ser- 
vice. He married Lucretia Barnes, of Ama- 
gansett, L.I., and soon after moved to 
Franklin, where they reared seven children, 
of whom the subject of this sketch was the 
youngest, and is now the only survivor, al- 
though the others all lived to reach maturity, 
with families of their own. Isaac Payne died 
in Franklin in i860, his wife living four 
years longer, and dying when eighty years of 
age. 

Albert Payne was born November 22, 1826, 
at the parental home near the village of 
l-'ranklin, and grew to manhood on his father's 
farm, attending the di.strict school, and re- 




ceiving the best instruction that could be 
given to a farmer's son of those days. He 
later taught school during the winter term, 
but when seventeen years olil, with the inde- 
pendence and conficlence characteristic of a 
young, sturdy farmer just starting out on 
life's journey, determined to set forth to seek 
his own fortune. He was offered a position 
on a neighboring farm, which he accepted at 
the small remuneration of si.\ dollars a month. 
For nine years he was employed in this way, 
never receiving more than fifteen dollars a 
month. Later, after taking a Western trip to 
Iowa and Wisconsin, he returned to P'ranklin, 
and purchased for seven thousand dollars his 
present estate of two hundred acres, including 
the stock and farm implements, paying six- 
teen hundred dollars in cash, this amount 
being all he possessed at that time. 

In April, 1S56, he married .Miss Helen !•". 
Drake, daughter of the former owner of his 
new home, where they began domestic life 
and reared a large family. 

Mr. and Mrs. Payne have buried four chil- 
dren: Charles, aged one year; Howard, who 
died in 1886, at the age of fifteen; Luella, 
who died aged one year; and Eleanor, aged 
nine years. Their children still living are 
the following: Louisa, wife of Morton L. 
Mills, a postal mail clerk on the N. Y., O. 
& W. Railroad, they having one son, Albert 
P., a bright, manly boy of thirteen ; Mary E., 
wife of Henry H. Kerr, of Fort Worth, Te.\., 
and mother of one son, Harry: Arthur Mel- 
vin, a graduate of Hamilton College at Clin- 
ton, N.Y., in the class of 1894, who was vale- 
dictorian of his class of twenty-five, having 
taken many prizes in oratory as well as other 
honors during his college career, and has 
now adopted the law as his chosen profes- 
sion; Walter Albert, a young man of twenty- 
two, who lives at home and manages the 
farm. 

^Ir. Pavne is a Republican, and has ren- 
dered acceptable service as Assessor and Su- 
pervisor. He is a Trustee of the Methodist 
church, of which both he and his good wife 
are conscientious members. The Payne fam- 
ily live in the house which was built by Mrs. 
Payne's father over si.xty years ago, but which 
has been remodelled into a comfortable mod- 



^ 



V 




•7 




Albert Payne. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



.345 



(.Til ilwcUiiiy;. In 1S93 Mr. I'aync erected his 
comniodiou.s l)ai"n, \vliere lie keeps aliout 
thirty grade Jersey cows of ciioice lireed he- 
■sides liis otlier stock. Near l)y is his larj;e 
timber lot of tliiit\- acres, which produces a 
goodly supjily of lumber and Inel. 

Mr. I'ayne is the possessor of a rugged con- 
stitution, and, though somewhat ageil with the 
toils and cares of many years, is well pre- 
served, and active in liis tlail\ duties, having 
at all times given careful attention to his 
health, ne\er indulging in the use of tobacco 
or intoxicating liquors in an}' torm. He is a 
man of unswerving principles, practical, in- 
telligent, and uiiright, and holds a high |)osi- 
tion in the esteem of all who know him. 
Such a citizen is well worthy of being held in 
remembrance l)y coming generations; and the 
publishers of the " Hiograjihical Review" are 
hapi)y to present a very good likeness of Mr. 
I'ayne in connection with this brii'l sketch ot 
himself and his famih . 



Ji 



.WID JAMl'.S MIl.I.l'K is among 
the best-known and most resjiected 
inhabitants of the town of Bovina, 
where he has his home. He was 
born June 26, 1858, his l)irth])lace being the 
very farm on which he now resides. His first 
name, Davitl, has been perpetuated in the 
Miller famil\' for at least three generations. 

(irandfather David came from .Scotland, and 
was in his younger da\'s a cai'jjenter. In 
Delaware Count\' he became an agriculturist, 
settling on the present famih' acres between 
the N'ears 1815 and 1820, soon after the differ- 
ences between Great Britain and the I'nited 
States were fairly adjusted. Indeed, it was 
this contest which brought him to America. 
The land he purchased had to be cleared be- 
fore the new country seemetl like home: but 
the sturdy Scotchman achieved his [.mri)ose, 
and at his death left nearly two hundred acres 
in a good state of cultivation. .At this tinie 
he was about eighty years old, and had reared 
seven chikli'en, four of whom are still living. 
John T. Miller, the eldest, lives in Delhi; 
and so does the next son, Daxid, who is our 
special subject's father. Their sister Isabell 
is the wife of John R. Ho)', of Bovina Centre; 



and the unmarried sister, Jennie l^lizabelh 
Millei', also lives at Bovina Centre. 

The second David Miller was biirn in 1828, 
on the old Bovina farm, where he grew up, 
and attended the district school. In clue time 
he turned his atti'ntion specially to agricult- 
ure, bought the grandfather's old place of the 
other heirs, and niarried Christina P. Ho)'. 
He has been a successful dairy farmer, keep- 
ing about a score of milch cows, and attaining 
the success which is the legitimate result of 
sagacious industry. On this farm he resided 
till 1885, and then mo\'ed into the village of 
Bovina Centie: but, not feeliiig cpiite c(m- 
tented there, he soon made another change to 
the village of Delhi, where he still lives a 
retired life, though not without a dee|) inter- 
est in things that go on around him, espe- 
cially in Republican politics. Both Mr. 
Miller and his wife were nieinbers of the 
Unitetl Presbyterian church in Bovina, and he 
now maintains the same relation to the Delhi 
society: but she die<l on the second day of tiie 
year iSi)^. at the age of sixty-four, having 
been born .September 2(), 1828. ()nl\' two 
children were the fruit of her marriage, which 
took place on I'ebruarv' 23, 1853, when she 
was twent\-tiye years old. Of these the el- 
tlest is David James, to whom this biography 
specially relates. 1 1 is lirothcr, William Bor- 
lus Miller, was boi'ii two \ears later. Jul\' J-,, 
1 860, just before the election of I'resident 
Lincoln filled the f;ither's heart with mild tri- 
umph. This son now resides in Portland, 
( )re . where lie is the honoreil pastor of the 
Presbyterian church. He was graduated at 
Hamilton (.'ollege, was married in 1885 to 
Ada ti. Chipinan, and has a growing faniily of 
two children. 

David J. Miller grew up on the farm, and 
attended the school which his father had at- 
tended betore hini, and which his grandfather 
had assisted in establishing. As we have 
already seen, lie has never left the old jilace, 
antl is now its owner, having bought it of his 
lather in 1885. Nor has he swerved fi'om his 
father's methods, except to ado|jt the latest 
modes of keeping and using the milk from his 
thirty or forty grade Jerseys, which yield an 
average of from two hundred and fifty to three 
hundred pounds of butter per head annually. 



346 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



The land and the buildings are in good condi- 
tion. 

Mr. Miller was married on November 28, 
1883, at the age of t\venty-fi\-e; and the bride 
was Elizabeth Nancy Campbell, the daughter 
of a Scotch pioneer, Duncan Campbell, of 
whom a separate sketch has its place in 
this \olume. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are both 
Presbyterians, but belong to different sections 
of that body, he to the United society, and 
she to the Reformed. With his antecedents 
Mr. Miller could hardly be other than a 
stanch Republican in his politics. Though no 
children have blessed their marriage, the Mil- 
ler fireside is a centre of wholesome influence 
in the community. On all sides Mr. Miller 
is regarded as a practical man, whose agricult- 
ural opinions are worth attention. Well has 
a practical writer said, "In life, as in chess, 
forethought wins." 



IRA BEACH, a highly respected farmer 
of the town of Masonville, Delaware 
County, N.Y., was born in Litchfield 
County, Connecticut, February 19, 
1825. His parents were George W. Beach, 
who was born October 26, 1804, and Lovisa 
Dorman Beach, born March 3, 1805, both na- 
tives of Litchfield County, Connecticut. 
The grandfather, Joshua Beach, moved to 
Delaware County in the early pioneer days, 
settling at Masonville on the farm now owned 
by William Birdsall, which was then in a 
wild and uncultivated state, game being plen- 
tiful, and the nearest market town being 
Unadilla. Mr. Beach resided on this farm 
until his deatli in 1841, at the age of sixty- 
one. He reared the following family, all of 
whom have passed over to the silent majority 
— Jeremiah, Chester, Marvin, Harriet, Nel- 
son, George W., Luman L., Miranda, and 
Harlow. 

George W. Beach settled in Masonville, 
December 28, 1828, his father giving him 
fifty acres of land, to wliich he afterward 
added thirty-five acres more. He was a hard- 
working and successful man, and resided on 
this farm until his death, F"ebruary 7, 1878, 
aged seventy-three, his wife having died 
March 27, 1861, aged fifty-si.\ years. Eleven 



children were born to them, si.x of whom grew 
to maturity, and three being alive at the pres- 
ent day, namely: Ira, the subject of this 
sketch; Avia A., wife of Charles L. Rowell, 
of Franklin; George J. Beach, of East Mason- 
ville. Emeline died young. Marvin, a sol- 
dier in Company V, Fifth Michigan Rifles, 
died during the late war. l-'anny A. died 
September 12, 1865. Curtis H., a soldier of 
the late war, died in front of Petersburg. 
Mary L. died in 1839, Francis B. in 1S40, 
and two infant sons died at birth. 

Ira Beach received his early education, a 
fair one for those days, at the old log school- 
house at East Masonville, having to journey 
two miles through the woods to reach the 
school-house. He lived at home, assisting 
on the farm, until he was twenty-one years of 
age, when he started out in the world for him- 
self, working for ten dollars a month, and 
managing to save money on this small amount. 
It was when he was in the heyday of his 
youth that he took a trip to Connecticut on 
foot, walking to Hudson, a distance of one 
hundred miles. Upon his return he worked 
for his father three years, afterward receiving 
a piece of land consisting of one hundred and 
five acres, which he eventually paid for, at 
that time not having sufficient capital to pur- 
chase the land outright. He first built for 
himself a small house, in after years adding 
to it considerably. His land also increased 
as time went by, until at one time it amounted 
to two hundred and five acres. He also owns 
the farm upon which his son now lives. He 
conducted a dairy for many years, and was 
noted for making a fine grade of butter. In 
1887 Mr. Beach had a remarkable escape from 
death by lightning, his son Orlando being 
killed by his side, and he himself severely 
burned from the shoulder to the heel. From 
this shock, however, he has fully recovered. 

Mr. Beach was married on January 2, 1850, 
to Abigail Blowers, a native of Pennsylvania, 
who died Februarys, 185 i. Mr. Beach mar- 
ried for his second wife Priscilla Blowers, a 
sister of Abigail. She was born in Sidney, 
November 28, 1833, a daughter of Hiram and 
Persis (Baker) Blowers. Mr. Blowers, who 
was a prominent farmer of the town of Sidney, 
died in March, 1872, aged seventy-one, his 



RIOGRAPHICAL RFLVIEW 



347 



wife surviving liiin ten \rais, (i)ing in De- 
cember, 1882. The)' were the i)arents of 
twelve children, fi\e (if wliom are now living, 
namely: Priseilla, wife of Mr. Heach ; Mrs. 
Mercy Fitch, who lives in .Sidney Centre; 
Mrs. Mary A. Taft, who resides at Afton : 
.Sidney Blower, a resident of IJnadiUa: and 
Amelia Cunningham, who resides at Wells 
Bridge, Sand Hill, Otsego Count)-. 

Mr. Beach has been the father of six chil- 
dren, one by his first wife, and five by the 
present. The two now living are: Frances 
A., wife of Martin Price, born January 21, 
1 85 1, a resident of Masonville; and Legrand 
I. Beach, born August 26, 1855. He was 
educated at the district schools, also going 
for one term to the I'nadilla Academy, and 
has given his attention to farming, living 
at home until his marriage, Februar\- 5, 1890. 
His wife, Anna Lewis Beach, was born in 
Rockdale, May 28, 1870, a daughter of Jay 
and Trsphenia Lewis, and died June 25. 
1892, at the early age of twent\--two. 

Mr. Ira Beach is a Republican in politics, 
but has never been desirous of acce])ting pub- 
lic office, devoting himself entirely to his 
farming pursuits, in which he has been emi- 
nently successful, and is esteemed as a man of 
probitv and honor. 




.\PTAIX WILLIAM HVMl'.RS, a 
practical agriculturist and dairyman 

^is ^ of DeLancey, in the town of Ham- 
den, is a man of marked intelli- 
gence and a prominent granger. He is a 
native of Delaware County, having first drawn 
the breath of life in the town of Meredith, 
Se])tember 1, 1827. He is of sturdy Scotch 
ancestry, his father, John H)mers, Jr., ha\'- 
ing been born March 12, 1795, in Roxburg- 
shirc, .Scotlanil, being a son of John Hymers, 
Sr., a shepherd, who dieel when a voung man, 
from exposure and exhaustion during a great 
snow-storm. 

The younger Jcjhn was but a bov when his 
father died, leaving a widow and two sons: 
and he was reared to a she])herd's life by his 
grandfather, Adam Douglas, who was a 
game-keejier on the estate of the Duke of 
Roxburg. In 1S18 he left the home of his 



grandsire, and emigrated to .'\merica, arri\ing 
here in March. He settled in this county, 
and here formed the acquaintance of I^lizabeth 
Ormston, who afterward became his wife. 
She was born in the town of Bovina, October 
6, 1802, being one of the six chiitiren of 
William and Janette ((iraham) Ormston. 
Her ])arents were both natives of .Scotland, 
but emigrated early ir. lile. and were married 
in this county in i8oi. The union of ICliza- 
beth Ormston and John Hymers was cele- 
brated January 9, 1823, and they began their 
wedded life on a farm in the town of Mere- 
dith, where the\- reared a family of eleven 
children, seven girls and four boys, the sub- 
ject of this sketch being the second son and 
the third child in order of birth. Two of the 
daugliters have died, namely: Mary, who 
passed away May 29, 1S52, aged twenty-two 
years: and Janette. the wife of Lewis B. 
-Strong, who died in 1882, leaving three sons. 
The following are the nine living children: 
A. 1). Hymers is an undertaker anil a livery- 
man. Margaret is the .wife of Andrew 
Oliver, of Oswego, \.\"., and has two chil- 
dren. William, a farniei" at DeLance\', is 
further mentioned below. Thomas, a livery- 
man and jiroprietor of a boariling and sale 
stable in Reno, \ev., is married, and has two 
children. PMlen, the wife of Milan Seeley, 
of Harlwick, Otsego County, has two chil- 
dren. l'",li/.abeth, who married W. H. Max- 
field, of Croton, has two children. John, a 
farmer, residing in Reno, Nev., has two chil- 
dren. \ancy, the wife of .S. D. Reynolds, of 
I'ranklin village, has two children. Lu- 
cretia. the wife of James Brazer. of Oneonta, 
has one child. The mother passed to her 
eternal home March 22, 1881, and the father, 
August 2 J, 1883, being then nearly ninety 
vears of age. They were active, sincere 
Christians thmughout their entire lives: and 
their lioilies were laid tn rest in the old Mat 
churchyard cemetery. 

William Hymers develo]3ed into manhood 
on the parental homestead, drinking from the 
fount of knnwU/dge ;it the old district school, 
and. when a vouth of twenty _\ears. taught his 
first and last term of school. He remained at 
home with his father, assisting in carrving on 
the farm until his marriage, which hajspy 



348 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



event took place March 13, 1851, the bride of 
his choice being Miss Margaret Ann Wight, 
of Delhi, the daughter of George and Jane 
(Little) Wight. (For further parental his- 
tory see sketch of George Wight, a brother of 
Mrs. Hymers.) After their marriage they 
lived for about ten years on a farm in the 
town of Meredith. Then, selling that prop- 
erty, Captain Hymers bought land in Frank- 
lin, where from 1862 until 1886 he carried 
on general farming, with good results, on his 
three hundred and twenty-five acres, keeping 
among his other stock a fine dairy of thirty- 
five cows, and selling his butter in the East- 
ern markets. Disposing of his Franklin 
estate, he came to DeLancey, where he pur- 
chased his present sixty-five-acre farm, and 
has continued his agricultural labors, now 
l)aying special attention to the production of 
winter milk, which he sells in New York 
City. For ten years or more he was exten- 
sively engaged in buying and selling stock, 
building up an extensive trade with Eastern 
dealers. Seven children have been born into 
the household of Captain and Mrs. Hymers, 
the following being their recoi-d : Emily, the 
wife of Royal Culver, resides on a farm in 
Franklin. J. K. Hymers, a carpenter, lives 
at home. Isabella J., the wife of Charles 
Haight, a resident of Sidney, has three chil- 
dren. George W., a farmer in the town of 
Delhi, is married, and has one son. William 
1)., a farmer in Deposit, has a wife and two 
children. Chauncey Stewart, a farmer in De- 
Lancey, has a wife and two daughters. 
Arthur T., a farmer, lives in Franklin, with 
his wife and son. 

The subject of tliis sketcli received his mil- 
itary title as a member of the New York 
National Guards, which he joined when 
twenty-three years old. During the first eight 
years of his service he was promoted through 
the various grades from the rank of Third 
Corporal to that of Captain of his company. 
Captain Hymers has been assisted and encour- 
aged by his wife in all <jf his labors, and they 
are together enjoying the fruits of their many 
years of successful toil Both are members 
in good standing of the First Presbyterian 
Church, of which the Rev. James H. Robin- 
son has been the pastor for thirty years. Po- 



litically, Captain Hymers votes the straight 
Republican ticket; but, with the exception 
of having been Justice of the Peace for nine 
years when he was a young man, he has not 
been the incumbent of any public office. So- 
cially, he is a charter member of the Grange, 
wherein he is Master, and also a lecturer of 
the subrjrdinate lodges and Pomona. 



/^^TeORGE a. SIGNOR, a retired 
\ [5 I farmer living just outside the village 
^ — of Walton, is well and favorably 
known throughout this section of Delaware 
County as a worthy representative of its agri- 
cultural interests, and a most successful busi- 
ness man. He is a native of this county, 
and was born in the town of Hamden on the 
third day of April, 1830, a son of John Sig- 
nor, who was born in Connecticut in 1790, 
and passed from earth in 1871, in the town of 
Hamden. He was one of nine children born 
into the home of his father, Jacob Signor, a 
life-long resident of Connecticut. 

The father of tlie subject of this sketch was 
three times married, his first wife having been 
Loretta Terry, a native of Hamden, who died 
while in the prime of life, leaving him with 
four of the eight children who had been born 
to them, one of whom is now living, David 
Signor, a prosperous farmer of Hamden, now 
seventy-five years old. His second wife was 
Lucy Hotchkiss, who was born in Connecti- 
cut, and to whom he was united in the year 
1826, in the town of Beaver Kill, Sullivan 
County. She bore him eight children, four 
sons and an ecjual number of daughters, of 
whom the following are living: Loretta, the 
wife of Allston Hulbert, a retired farmer, and 
a furniture dealer in Hamden; George A.; 
Hannah, the widow of Horace W. Smith, re- 
siding in Walton; Jonah, a farmer residing 
in Oregon; and .Albert, at present a music 
dealer in Owego. One son, John, Jr., gave 
his life in defence of his countr)'. He en- 
listed in Colchester, in Company B, One 
Hundred and P'orty-fourth New York Volun- 
teer Infantry, as a private, and during the two 
years of his service took part in several en- 
gagements, but owing to exposure and other 
causes incidental to armv life became af- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



349 



flictcd with chronic diarrhcca, from whicli he 
never recovered, dying while on a transport 
going- from Folly Island to Beaufort, N.C., 
being then but twenty-seven years old. The 
mother of these chiklren died in 1842, when 
thirty-nine years of age, antl the father subse- 
(.[uently married again; and he and liis wife 
residetl in Colchester the remainder of tlieir 
lives. 

George A. Signor was the second child and 
the first son born to his parents, and during 
the days of his childhood and youth attended 
the pioneer school of his neigiiborhood, and 
assisted his father in the duties about the 
homestead. When fifteen years of age, he 
left school, antl hired out at nine dollars per 
month, his wages afterward being increased to 
eleven dollars j^er month; and in the summer 
of 1848 he brought to his father the round 
sum of fifty dollars. Having purchased from 
his father a land warrant which the latter had 
received for services during the War of 1812, 
with his wife and one child, Lucy, then two 
and one-half years old, he started for Wiscon- 
sin on the 1st of March, 1855. When they 
left Walton, there was fine sleighing, but on 
arriving in Wisconsin, after a journey of two 
weeks, they found the prairies on fire. The 
last forty miles were made in a stage, which 
had the spring broken; and, the roads being in 
a terrible condition, the men often had to 
assist in prying it out of the mire. The end 
of the journey was reached when they arrived 
at the home of Mrs. Signor's brother, four 
miles west of Plainfield. 

The land which Mr. Signor pre-empted lay 
on Ten Mile Creek; and there we find the 
Signor family one year later, it having been 
increased by the birth of a bright boy, whom 
they named Charley Fremont. The Indians 
were very numerous, but there was never any 
trouble with them. They would take flour to 
Mrs. Signor for her to make into bread for 
them, and would pick berries for her in ex- 
change for bread. Sometimes they would 
give her venison; and she often gave them 
bread and butter and also milk. At one time 
some fifteen or twenty Indians, with their 
squaws and pappooses, camped about twenty 
rods from the house, but were peaceable, 
never committing any depredations. In the 



summer Mr. .Signor worked clearing iiis land 
and tilling the soil; while each fall he went 
to the pineries to chop, while during the 
s]iring of each year he was employed in raft- 
ing lumber down the Wisconsin and Missis- 
sijjpi Rivers. 

During one winter of their residence there 
Mrs. Signor, not liking to stay alone, accom- 
panied her husband thirty miles into the 
woods, making the journey for ten miles over 
corduroy roatls and in a lumber wagon drawn 
by oxen. At the end of this wearisome trip 
she found nothing more inviting than a log 
cabin of one room, and not in the cleanest 
condition. .She, however, bravely set to work, 
and made it habitable, and for sixteen weeks 
did the cooking for a crew of thirteen men, 
her younger child being then but eighteen 
months old. Mrs. Signor, however, consid- 
ered this life preferable to living alone sur- 
rounded by Indians. When her son Charley 
was six years (dd, another boy was born into 
the housi.-hold, but only lived for the short 
space of one month, when he left this world 
for a fairer one on high, his mortal remains 
being interred in Western soil. 

In 1863, after nearly eight long vears of 
hardship, Mr. and Mrs. Signor with their 
family returned to Delaware County; and in 
the fall of the following year Mr. Signor en- 
listed, serving his country for one year, and 
being honorably discharged in 1865, when he 
returnefl home. lie engaged in tilling the 
soil, and bv thrift and frugality accumulated 
some money, with which he bought a tract of 
wild land, and by hard labor and the exercise 
of good management fdund himself the pos- 
sessor of a fine farm of two hundred acres, on 
which he and his family lived most happily 
for eighteen years. In 1889 he gave up his 
farm to his son-in-law. Levi C. Russell; and 
he and his wife have since occupied their 
present comfortable home, and are now enjov- 
ing the leisure to which their earlier vears of 
toil have richly entitled them. 

Mr. Signor was united in marriage in 1852 
to .Sarah J. Dann, who was born in Colchester 
in 1832, a daughter of Lbenezer and Serepta 
(Goodrich) Dann, who for upward of fort\' 
years were extensive farmers of Colchester, 
owning and occupying a farm of two hundred 



35° 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



acres adjoining the town of Walton, where 
they subsequently moved. Mr. and Mrs. 
Dann reared ten children, eight of whom are 
living, Mrs. Signer being the sixth. When 
she was two years old, her mother died, and 
her father was again married, Miss Lydia K. 
Hoyt, of Walton, who was bridesmaid at his 
first marriage, becoming his wife. She 
proved a very kind ste])-mother, and herself 
bore him three children. Mr. Dann was of 
New ICngland descent, his grandfather, Abra- 
ham Dann, having married Rebecca Reskey, 
who was born and reared in New England. 
Mr. Dann himself was one of ten children, 
his mother being left a widow when they were 
quite young; and they were all apprenticed to 
some trade, Ebenezer, the father of Mrs. Sig- 
ner, learning the trades of both hatter and 
tanner. He afterward entered the employ of 
Mr. Downs, of Downsville, for whom he 
clerked in the early days of the settlement of 
the town, their store, which was in a rough 
and unfinished building, being the very first 
in the place. Dry goods and groceries were 
then high in price, calico being sold at 
seventy-five cents a yard. His mother subse- 
quently became the wife of Isaac Wilson, 
one of" the pioneer settlers of this section of 
the county. Mrs. Signor was brought up to 
habits of industry and early initiated into the 
science of domestic economy, her youthful 
training well preparing her for the position 
she afterward assumed as the head of a house- 
hold, and which she has so nobly filled. She 
went to school until eight years old, then dur- 
ing the winters only until eighteen years of 
age, when she began teaching, a vocation 
which she resigned after two terms at the ear- 
nest solicitation of Mr. Signor, to whom she 
was affianced. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Signor si.x 
children have been born, one of whom, as 
above mentioned, died in infancy; and of the 
five living the following is recorded: Lucy 
S., the wife of Hanford Bull, a prosperous 
farmer of Colchester, where he has a fine resi- 
dence, is the mother of one child, a daughter. 
Charles F., who resides in the town of Frank- 
lin, has a very pleasant home. Ruby E. is 
the wife of Levi C. Russell, and lives on the 
old homestead. Darius D., who lives in New 



York City, is butler in the home of J. B. 
Lang, a railway magnate. Julia A., a cult- 
ured and accomplished young lady ot twenty- 
three years, is one of the most efficient 
teachers in this part of the State, having been 
engaged in this noble occupation for sixteen 
terms. The daughters are fine musicians, and 
doubtless inherit their musical talent from 
their father, who was a fine tenor singer in 
the days of his youth. Religiously, Mr. Sig- 
nor and his excellent wife are devout Chris- 
tians and, with most of their children, arc 
members of the Methodist church. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican, firm and true. 



AMES WILLIAM COULTER is a 
prominent resident of Bovina, having 
competent charge of the Robert J. 
Livingston estate on Lake Delaware. 
This property has been in the possession of the 
Livingston family since 1707, nearly two cen- 
turies, the patent coming from Queen Anne. 
The original grant was for land a mile wide 
on the Hudson River, and extending back to 
the West Branch of the Delaware River. 
From time to time various sections of it have 
been sold; but even now the estate includes 
nearly eight hundred acres, and is the largest 
owned by any private person in the county. 
Mr. Coulter has from three to ten men work- 
ing under him, and keeps a hundred and 
fifty acres under cultivation. The place is 
chiefly used as a summer resort by the Living- 
ston family, and on it are twenty buildings, 
including the main dwelling-house, tenement 
houses, boat-houses, gate-house, and laundry. 
There are kept twenty-five or thirty full- 
blooded Jerseys, averaging two hundred and 
seventy-five pounds of butter each for market 
every year. On the farm is a lovely sheet of 
water, named Lake Delaware, two hundred 
and nineteen rods seventeen links long by 
sixty-four rods wide in the broadest part, and 
covering about sixtv acres, well stocked with 
California salmon, trout, and other fish. At 
the outlet of this lake for eighty-one years 
stood a grist-mill. The first mill, built by 
Stephen Palmer for Governor Morgan Lewis 
in 1796, was burned, and a new one was built 
in 1823. Mr. Coulter superintended taking 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



35' 



clown tho latter mill in 1881. Mr. Robert J. 
Livingston died in Now York City on I'\-bru- 
ary 22, 1S91 ; and the property now belongs 
to his daughter. He was born Deeember 11, 
181 I, his mother being the only daughter of 
General Morgan Lewis, of Revolutionary 
fame. Mr. Livingston's daughter, Louise 
Morgan Livingston, is now the wife of Com- 
modore Elbridge T. Gerry, a lawyer residing 
in New York City. 

Mr. Coulter was born in l^ovina, Janu- 
ary 19, 1837. His parents were James and 
Nanc\' D. (Thompson) Coulter, both natives 
of Bovina. The grandfather was Francis 
Coulter, born in .Scotland, antl an earl) 
settler in Bovina, a town full of .Scotch 
blooil. James W. Coulter grew up in his 
native place, went to the tlistrict school, and 
attended the Andes Academy a couple of 
terms. Till the age of twenty-two he stayed 
at home, meanwhile learning the trade of car- 
penter. Then he became a bridge-builder for 
some time. Among the specimens of his 
work are the large bridges at Otego, Cook's 
Falls, and Beaver Kill, besides various 
smaller structures. P'rom 1859 to 1868 he 
engaged in general carpentry, taking building 
contracts. Next he bought ninety-seven acres 
near Bovina Centre, and devoted himself 
chiefly to agriculture till 1872, when he was 
engaged as superintendent of the Livingston 
farm. He was married on a patriotic holiday, 
I'ebruary 22, 1866, to Elizabeth Murdock 
Doig, a native of Bovina, the daughter of 
William and Jane Doig, both deceased, she at 
the age of fifty-three, and he at sixty-two. 
They belongetl to the Bovina Centre Presby- 
terian Church, and had ten children, of whom 
two survive. Of these two Mrs. Coulter is 
the elder. Her sister, liuphemia Doig, is 
now Mrs. W. G. McNee, of Bovina. Mr. and 
Mrs. J. VV. Coulter both belong to the local 
Presbyterian church, wherein he is' a Trustee. 
They have no children, and he is a Re])Ld5lican" 
in politics. 

A fuller account of the Coulter ancestry 
may be found in the sketch of James Coulter, 
an;l further facts concerning Miss Doig's 
family are recordeil in sketches devoted to its 
members. The grandfather of Mrs. Coulter 
was Walter Doig, who was born in Scotland, 



came to this country, and took up his resi- 
dence in W'ashington County, New York. 
After a few years he changed his home to 
Delaware County, locating himself at Bovina 
in the beginning of the War of 18 12, on a 
farm still in the family. Land was hired in 
those days, not bought outright; and it was 
therefore many years before Mr. Doig was 
able to get a deed of his estate. Clearing the 
forest away gradually, he put uj) a log house, 
finding game in the forest and fish in the 
streams, and now antl then shooting a prowl- 
ing wolf. Grandfather Doig was very in- 
dustrious, owned in all two hundred acres, 
and was an organizer of the L'nited Presby- 
terian church in Bovina. liverybotly in the 
town, not to say the county, knew Walter 
Doig. The nearest mill was eight miles off, 
and he carried the grain thither in a bag on 
his back. The main market foi- produce was 
at Catskill, eighty miles away. On this farm 
Mr. Doig lived until death overtook him; but 
this was not till he reached the age of four- 
score, his wife Elizabeth dying at about the 
same age. They had six children, all of 
whom grew up, but are no longer in earth's 
shadows — Andrew, IClizabeth, William, Mar- 
garet, James, and Jennie Doig. 

On November 6, 1851, Walter A. Doig, 
son of Andrew Doig, was married to Margaret 
G. .Armstrong. She was born in Bovina on 
November 8, 1829, the daughter of John and 
Isabelle Coulter Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong 
was born in Washington County, New York; 
but his wife was born in .Scotland. He be- 
came a Bovina farmer, and died there at the 
age of sixty-six; and his wife lived to be 
eighty-one. He was an lilder in the United 
Presbyterian church ; and they had a dozen 
children, of whom ten grew to mature age, 
and six are still living. Alice Armstrong is 
now Mrs. David Olner, of I5ovina. ^L^ry 
Armstrong married .Stephen Russell, ami 
lives in the same town. Margaret Armstrong 
became Mrs. W. A. Doig. John G. Arm- 
strong is in California. l*"rancis Coulter 
Armstrong is in Bovina. Ellen .Armstrong 
married John .S. Foster, and their home is in 
Washington County. 

Whichever way we glance over tin- ances- 
try of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Coulter, we find 



352 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



worthy representatives of the different fami- 
lies, which at one point unite in a single 
stream with many branches. Says that epi- 
grammatic writer, George Eliot, "Breed is 
stronger than pasture." 




OX. DKWITT GRIFFIN is a very 
prominent resident of Griffin's Cor- 

is I ners, in Middletown, Delaware 

County, and belongs to the family 
which gave the settlement its name. By pro- 
fession he is a lawyer, tried and true, and was 
named for a family which has been very con- 
spicuous in the annals of the Empire State, 
Governor De Witt Clinton having died, 
greatly respected, only a few years before 
young Griffin"s birth, on March 27, 1836. 
His father was Matthew Grififin, of whom 
and the Griffin ancestry a separate sketch 
may be found elsewhere in these biographies; 
and the mother was Clarissa Dodge. After 
attending the district school, the lad went to 
the Albany Normal School, and then studied 
law, being admitted to the bar in 1857, when 
only twenty-one. He at once began practice 
in his native village, where he has ever since 
remained. 

Mr. Griffin was married at the age of 
twenty-five, in 1861, to a distant kinswoman, 
Mary Stone, daughter of Robert and Caroline 
(Griffin) Stone. Mr. Stone was a leading 
farmer in the town, and one of its first set- 
tlers. He died at fifty, leaving nine children 
— Augustus, John Francis, William Henry, 
George, Rutson, Margaret, Hannah, Susan, 
Josephine. Their mother outlived her hus- 
band, not dying till she was seventy-six. 
Mrs. Griffin was born November 20, 1838, 
and was therefore twenty-three at the time of 
her marriage ; but she was taken away from 
the home in 1870, at the early age of thirty- 
two, after only nine years of wedlock; and 
her only babe, Aurelia, soon after followed 
the mother's heavenly footsteps. Mr. Griffin 
subsequently married a second wife, Viola 
Sharp, the daughter of Revilo Sharp, a farmer 
and trader in Ulster County, the town of 
Shandaken. Mr. Sharp's wife was Ann 
l-Hi/.a Milks; and they had several children — 
Horatio, Jehial, John, Stanley, Jane, Julia, 



"Viola, and Lydia Sharp. By this marriage 
Mr. Griffin has three children. Clinton, the 
eldest, bearing a grand historic and political 
name, was born September 22, 1882. Mat- 
thew Griffin, named for his grandfather, was 
born on Washington's Birthday, 1886. War- 
ner Griffin was born November 19, 1889. 

Mr. Griffin is a Republican, has been a 
representative in the State Assembly, is a 
Justice of Peace, and belongs to the Metho- 
dist church. Needless to say that the Griffin 
family hold the first position in their vicinity. 
Two excellent sentences have been uttered 
about the law. One was by Sir John Powell, 
a noted jurist of two centuries ago, who said, 
" Let us consider the leason of the case, for 
nothing is law that is not reason." The other 
was a toast at the bar dinner at Charleston, 
S.C., in 1847: "The law — it has honored 
us: may we honor it." 

Both these sentiments would be indorsed by 
so sensible a lawyer as the Hon. Dewitt 
Griffin. 




ATTHEW GRIFFIN is a substan- 
tial real-estate owner and saga- 
cious business man in Griffin's 
Corners, a part of the town of 
Middletown, which owes its name, if not its 
absolute being, to his enterprise. His gene- 
alogy is worth considering. 

His great-grandfather, William Griffin, 
came from England with a large fortune, and 
settled on Long Island. When the Revolu- 
tion broke out, he refused to take up arms 
against the mother country. He^was there- 
fore numbered with the Tories, and his estates 
confiscated to the patriot cause. William 
Griffin owned some very fine horses; and so 
his son John took the most valuable of the 
stallions, and rode away to Delaware County, 
whence he removed to Dutchess County, 
where he settled among the Fishkill Moun- 
tains. After the surrender of Cornwallis 
and the declaration of peace, William Griffin 
went to W'est Chester, where he died, leaving 
four children, all born on Long Island — 
William, Ezekiel, Solomon, John. The jun- 
ior William Griffin had already settled in 
Middletown in 1765, a decade before the 



RIOORAl'HICAL REVIEW 



353 



Revolution hej;aii, on a farm now l)elonging to 
Henry Boughton ; and he became a very pros- 
perous man, raising a large family. Solomon 
Griffin took up his residence among the I-'ish- 
kill Mountains, and so did his hrothei' 
IC/.ekiel. 

Huying a large farm, hlzekiel Griffin became 
\ery jjrosperous, and married Charlotte White 
(a daughter of a farmer named John White). 
In 1833 he sold out his Fishkill property, and 
came to Delaware County, where he bought a 
hundred and fifty acres now belonging to the 
IkMijaniin Crosby estate. Me greatly im- 
]')ro\-ed the place, and there his children grew 
up. His son V.W married I'lu-he .Simmons; 
and lioth ai'e dead, leaving foin" children. 
Mary (ierlrude Griffin married Joshua Hur- 
cham, and the\' left two children. [oseph 
GrilTin married, but none of his family sur- 
\'ive. John Griffin married liannah Miles, 
and they left a large family. Of Matthew 
Griffin a longer account will be piesentlv in 
order. David Griffin married Martha Doo- 
little. and lives at West Hurley, L'lster 
Count}-, the mother of seven children. h'.li/a 
Griffin married Ebenezer Griffcth, of the Cor- 
ners, and they left four children. I'amelia 
Griffin married Henry Lee, had six children, 
outlived her husband, and is in L'lster 
Count}'. Alice Griffin was the wife of Heni'\' 
Walker; and they left one chiki, though an- 
other died in early life. E/.ekiel Griffin, 
their father, was a Methodist and a Whig, and 
lived to be about seventy-two; but his wife 
iliecl at fifty-eight. I">,ekiel (ii-iffin bore an 
Old Testament name; but this sketch spe- 
cially interests itself in the son who bore a 
New Testament name. 

Matthew Griffin was born in Dutchess 
Count}-, in the town of ]-"ishkill, on October 
22, i.Sii. lie was educated in the district 
school, ami at eighteen was employed as clerk 
by Noah ICllis, the chief trader in Griffin's 
Corners. After working there a couple of 
years, he acce]3ted a place as general manager 
of a tanner}- belonging to Elijah Isham. In 
1S36, when twenty-five years (dd, .Matthew 
Griffin opened a store on the site now oc- 
cupied by Fleischman's hotel. V'lvc years 
later, in 1S41, he built there a new store. Fn 
1848 he procured the establishment of a new | 



post-office, to be called, after him. Griffin's 
Corners. He built a hotel, also, which he 
carried on four years in conjunction with his 
store; for he owned the entire property since 
known as the Corners. When the anti-rent 
troubles lu'gan, he decided to let both tavern 
and store. He had begun reading law while 
a young man. Perhaps the questions arousetl 
by the rent agitation stimulated him to finish 
studying for the bar. In iSsr, at the age of 
forty, he was admitted at Albany, but did not 
change his residence; for he immediately 
found practice enough at the Corners, where 
he was specially successful in criminal cases. 
Xot tpiite satisfied with this, after two years 
he went to Rondout, in L'lster County, and 
-started a store. Two years later he engaged 
in the steamboat business there. Thence 
he went to New ^'ork City, where for eight 
years he had full charge of an express busi- 
ness. Then he came back to Delaware 
County, and kept store, attending also to 
much law business, though, since reaching 
the age ot threescore, he has lived in com- 
jiarative retirement from outside activitv, 
sometimes, however, taking up one of the 
cases urged u|ion him. 

Matthew Griffin was married as far back as 
1833, at the age of twenty-two, to Miss Cla- 
rissa Dodge, a daughter of Jose])h Dodge, 
whose wife was Sally Burgin. Mr. Dodge 
was aniong the earliest settlers on the Little 
Delaware River, but died in Owego, at four- 
score, his wife having died young, after bear- 
ing him eight children — William, Erastus, 
Orin. Clarissa, Lorctta, Electa, Sally, and 
Oliva Dodge. By his marriage with Cla- 
rissa. !\Litthew Griffin had se\-en children, five 
living to adult age. A brief record follows: 
Willian-i Dodge (Jriffin first married Miss 
Aver}-, and second Susie Hoffmai-i, and then 
died, leaving two children. Of the seconil 
son, Dewitt Griffin, there is a separate ac- 
coui-it in this vidutne. Mary Griffin n-iarried 
John O'Neil, and died, leaving four children. 
•Sally Griffin married Williai-n I",. Hull; and 
he ilied, leaving her w^ith one child. Char- 
lotte (iriffin married William Rickey, who 
died, leaving four children; and she lives in 
Kingston. Mrs. Griffin died in 1S77, in the 
Presbyterian faith. 



354 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



As a Republican, Mr. GriflRn has been Tax 
Collector, and from 1872 to 1874 was a mem- 
ber of the State Assembly. Well hath Shak- 
spere said, — 

divide the state of man in 



■Therefore doth lieavcn 

divers functions. 
Settins; endeavor in continual motion." 



This disposition belongs especially to Mat- 
thew Griffin, who in his long and useful life 
has played many parts, always with advantage 
to the community, and generally to himself. 




itlJ/lLLIAM H. METCALF, the oldest 
blacksmith in point of residence in 
the village of Walton, is the pos- 
sessor of great mechanical ability, and has a 
very large and profitable trade, his upright 
and honorable methods of transacting busi- 
ness and his reliability securing for him the 
respect and confidence of all with whom he 
has dealings. His record during the time of 
the civil strife in this country was creditable 
to him and an honor to the county from which 
he enlisted. 

Mr. Metcalf is a native of this county, hav- 
ing been born in Masonville, March 7, 1841, 
and is a descendant of worthy New England 
stock. His grandfather, Eliphalet Metcalf, 
was born in New England, and served in the 
War of 1812. He subsequently removed to 
this State, and, after living for a time in Ot- 
sego County, came to this locality, settling in 
the town of Masonville. He married Susan- 
nah Place; and they reared a large family of 
children, of whom one only is now living. 
The following is recorded of a part of the 
family: Nancy married a Mr. Moore. Sa- 
mantha became the wife of W. A. White. 
Eliza married Linus Weed, of Walton; and 
both are now deceased. Harriet married the 
Rev. Martin B. Cleveland. Adeline married 
Henry Benedict, of North Walton; and both 
are deceased. Julia C. became Mrs. Bigelow. 
Hubbard was the father of William H. 
Metcalf. 

Hubbard Metcalf was born in the town of 
Masonville, and was a resident of that place 
the greater part of his life. He married for 
bis first wife Hannah Ferry, of Masonville, 



the children of this union being: Hannah O., 
now a resident of Stamford, Conn., and the 
widow of Charles Knapp, who died in the 
Adirondacks; and William H., of whom we 
write. Mrs. Hannah Metcalf died in the 
spring of 1848, in Ulster County, New York; 
and Mr. Metcalf subsequently married Mrs. 
Mary Bennett, who bore him one child, 
George E., now a resident of Jamestown, 
N.Y. Mr. Metcalf spent his declining years 
in Walton, dying there April 5, 1888. He 
was a stanch supporter of the principles of the 
Republican party. 

William H. Metcalf was reared to man's 
estate in the town of his birth, and there ac- 
quired a fair common-school education. He 
remained at home until October, 1861, when 
he volunteered as a soldier in the army of the 
Union, enlisting in the Forty-second New 
York Volunteer Infantry, familiarly known as 
the Tammany Regiment of New York City, 
where he was mustered into service. He 
joined the army at camp near Poolesville, 
Md., and on the 2^st of October, 1861, was in 
the battle at Ball's Bluff, where Colonel 
Baker, United States Senator from Oregon, 
was killed, and the brave commander of his 
regiment. Colonel Cogswell, was taken pris- 
oner. In the spring of 1862 his regiment was 
sent to Washington to join McClellan's army, 
and was with him during the Peninsular cam- 
paign. During the subsequent months he 
participated with his regiment in many hotly 
contested battles. By an act of Congress, 
passed in August, 1862, all regimental bands 
were discharged, and Mr. Metcalf returned to 
Masonville, but on the 4th of January, 1864, 
again enlisted, joining the Fifth New York 
Heavy Artillery, being mustered in at Fort 
Marshall, Baltimore, Md., where he spent the 
winter. In the spring of 1864 the regiment 
was ordered to Harper's Ferry, W. Va., 
where it remained until the close of the war. 
being honorably discharged from service at 
that place. 

The union of Mr. Metcalf and Miss Frances 
A. Evere-st, a resident of Harpersfield, and a 
daughter of the Rev. George T. Everest, was 
solemnized in October, 1862; and to them 
six children were born — Martha O., William 
A., Olive C, Mary E., Georgiana A., and 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



3SS 



IIcnr\' I{. Martha niarrieii W. A. Shciiard, 
of W'alton; and Olive C. is the wife of lames 
M. Ball, of West Troy. Mrs. Metcalf died 
in 1878: and Mr. Metcalf was again married, 
his seconil wife being Miss I'Mizabeth Keeler, 
who lived but a brief time aftei" marriage. 
He formed a third matrimonial alliance, 
marrving Miss I.i'ttic I'.mbree. of Catskill, 

x.v: 

In the connnunit)' where he has so long i"e- 
sided Mr. Metcalf is held in high esteem. 
He is infiuential in local affairs, promoting 
by every means in his power the welfare and 
ailvancement of the town and county. In 
politics he is a .stanch Repuljlican. and cast 
his first Presidential \'ote for Abraham Lin- 
coln during the time he was in the arm\ . 
Fraternally, he is a member of Ben Marvin 
Post, No. 209, (irand Army of the Re]jublic, 
being ex-Commander and Senior \'ice-Com- 
mander, .S. M. \'. M. 



^5^.\.MI-:.S (",. BALL.XRD. a foremost citi- 
zen of Middletown, Delaware Count)-, 
now resiiling at (irififin's Corners, was 
born in the town of Roxbury, near by, 
March 12. i8j8, son of Jonathan and Roxy 
(Foster) Ballard. His paternal grandpai'ents 
were James and Polly (Stratton) Ballard, the 
former of whom was the son of Peleg and 
Martha (Haines) Ballard, who came from Put- 
nam Count\- to Delaware (..'ounts', and were 
among its first settlers. Taking up a farm in 
the location known as Red Hill, Peleg Bal- 
lard built thereon a log house, partially clear- 
ing the lantl and raising a little grain. The 
nearest mill was at Kingston, and to get his 
grain ground Mr. Ballard was obliged to make 
a long journey through the forest. Fhey 
were very poor at first, but gradually accumu- 
lated a little nionev, with which they bought 
some stock, mostly sheep. To protect these 
from wild animals, as bears, wolves, and pan- 
thers. Mr. Ballard l)uilt high log pens, a most 
necessary jirecaution. A family of six chil- 
dren were born of this couple, by name James, 
Judith M., Asa, Banager, I^lizabeth, and Zil- 
lah. Their father, Peleg, died at the age of 
seventy; but the mother survived to the re- 
markable age of one hundred and two vears. 



The son James always worked on the home 
farm, which, after it became his property, he 
coritinued to improve b\' clearing the land and 
putting up new buildings. His wife, Poll\' 
-Stratton, was the daughter of David .Stratton, 
an earlv settler of Delaware Comity. A fam- 
il)' of seven children were born to them — 
Jonathan, Flizabeth, Ik'njaniin, Louisa, John, 
Jessie, and Polly Ann. 'Lhe mother died 
when she was fifty years old ; and James chose 
for his sec<:)nd wife a widow, Mrs. .Sally 
(Chase) Scudder. Lie lived to be eighty 
vears of age. 

Jonatlxin Ballard was born on the old home- 
stead, and early brought up t<> farm work. 
He was twice married. His first wife, Roxy, 
was the tlaughter of (iilbcrt and Roxy (Ellis) 
l-'oster. Mr. L'oster was a mason b\' trade, 
and a native of Dutchess County. LI is wife 
Roxy died in early womanhood, leaving five 
children; namely, Roxy, Jane, Orville, Ma- 
zill\', and Cloey. After her death Mr. Foster 
was married again, this time to Anna Hodge, 
by whom he had three children — Eliza A., 
Catharine, and Adaline. Mis. Roxy (Foster^ 
Ballard, like her mother, dietl in early life, 
leaving four children — James, Asa, William, 
and Orville Ballard. Jonathan Ballard mar- 
rietl for his second wife Rosanna King, who 
raised two children — Polly Ann and Ira Llar- 
ris. He was a prominent man in his town, 
and fid lowed agricultural pursuits to the close 
of his life. His death occurred on the same 
day as that of his wife Rosanna, Ma\' 8, 1S93, 
their son Ira having died a week jirevious. 

James (i. Ballard, after receiving a practi- 
cal eilucation, went to Ilalcottsville. and en- 
gaged as a clerk in the store of his uncle, 
Orville P^jster. After one year he became a 
partnei', and finally bought the entire busi- 
ness. Later he sold, and went to Batavia 
Hill, where he invested in a general merchan- 
dise store, and remained there for two years. 
Disposing of his store, he worked for his 
father two and a half years, and then bought 
one hundred and fiftv acres of land in Middle- 
town, which he improved, and upon which he 
erected good buildings. Mr. Ballard married 
Nancy Travis, who was born in 1827, a 
daughter of I^thele and Salacha (Jenkins) 
Travis. Her father was a progressive farmer 



356 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



of Delaware County, and had a family of 
eleven children — Nathan, Joseph, Harvey, 
Lydia, Eson, Achsah, Nancy, Elsie, Mar- 
garet, Anna, and Frances M. Travis. He was 
a sturdy Whig in politics, and a man much 
respected by his neighbors. He lived to the 
age of sixty-seven years; and his wife, who 
was an old-school Baptist, died when eighty- 
eight years old. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ballard have two children. 
The elder, Roxylina, born 1854, married 
Ceily Slason, and lives on the old Ballard 
homestead in Roxbury. The younger, Ach- 
sah, born in 1857, became the wife of Andrew 
McNeil, of Griffin's Corners, and died in 
1889. James G. Ballard has lived on his 
present farm for thirty-eight years, and is in 
fine physical condition, having always pos- 
sessed excellent health. He takes a deep in- 
terest in the cause of education, and holds the 
responsible offices of School Trustee and 
Overseer of the Poor. He is a Democrat in 
politics. He is a useful man in the commu- 
nity, and does all in his power to promote 
every good cause, thus commanding the re- 
spect of his fellow-townsmen. 




UREA F. GETTER, a well-known 
contractor and builder of Masonville, 
N.Y., where he is a large land- 
owner, was born June 30, 1830, in 
the town of .Schoharie, in the county of the 
.same name. His father, Christian J. Getter, 
was born in Schoharie County, July 29, 1800; 
and his mother, Maria (Greene) Getter, was 
born in Rhode Island, November, 1798, and 
was a relative of General Nathaniel Greene. 
.Stephen Getter, father of Christian, was born 
in Germany, and came to this country with 
his father, William, Sr., in the time of the 
Revolutionary War. William Getter, Sr., 
was killed in the battle on Long Island. 
Stephen came to Schoharie County when but 
four years old; and his brother, William, Jr., 
who came with him, was but six years old. 
William became a gunsmith, and followed 
this trade through life. 

Stephen owned land in Schoharie County, 
and was one of the sturdy type of old pio- 
neers. He settled in Masonville, Delaware 



County, in 1834, having made the removal 
with teams, camping out nights while on the 
way. He bought one hundred and eleven acres 
of wild land, and put up a strong double log 
house. In those days a man did not stray far 
from his home without a gun to protect him- 
self and his domestic animals from the assault 
of wild denizens of the forests, or to shoot 
deer or other game for the family dinner. 
Grandfather Getter lived on this farm for 
about twenty years, and then moved to an- 
other in the same town, now owned by Will- 
iam Fuller, where he died at ninety-six years 
of age. When in middle life, he had a com- 
fortable share of this world's goods; but by 
unfortunate speculations in his latter years he 
lost the greater part of his property. He and 
his wife, Lavina (Schufeldt) were members of 
the Lutheran church in their earlier years, 
but before their death belonged to the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church. He was a Democrat. 
Mrs. Getter died at the age of ninety-two 
years. They had thirteen children, all of 
whom grew to maturity. One is now living; 
namely, Mrs. Svlvina Deyo, of the town of 
Masonville. 

Christian J. Getter grew to manhood in 
Schoharie County, and tliere married. He 
was a farmer and a mechanic, both of which 
callings he followed through life. In the 
spring of 1837 he came to Delaware County, 
making the removal with a team and lumber 
wagon, being four days on the way. He 
bought a partly improved farm of one hundred 
and thirty acres, which he occupied and con- 
tinued to improve till 1848, when he traded it 
for a smaller one of sixty-seven acres about a 
mile distant, still owned by his son, the sub- 
ject of the present sketch. Christian J. Get- 
ter was strictly temperate, never using either 
tobacco or intoxicating liquor, and was scru- 
pulously honest in his dealings, but in finan- 
cial matters was never quite successful. In 
size and strength he was a giant, weighing 
two hundred pounds. He and his wife were 
both members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. In his early manhood he was a 
Jeffersonian Democrat, or anti-Federalist. 
When, later in life, he voted the Republican 
ticket, he used to say that the party, not he, 
had changed. He died at the home of their 




AuREfl F. Getter, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



359 



sdii, Aurca !•"., in Miisonvillc, November 9, 
1879, at the age of seventy-nine years, his 
wife, in November, 1885, at the age of 
eighty-seven years. Their four cliildren all 
grew to maturity, Init Aurea I'', is the only 
survivor at this (la_\'. A daughter, Maria, 
wife of J. H. Couse, died at forty-four years 
of age. Elizabeth, wife of John Iloughta- 
ling, died at twenty-two years. Ste])hen T. 
married, went away, and has not bei'n heard 
from for thirty-five years, supposed to be 
dead. 

.Aurea 1'. was the youngest ehild of his pai- 
ents, was seven years old when they moved 
to Masonville. He received a good practical 
education in the public schools, and at sixteen 
years was allowed to start in life for himself. 
This he did by entering the employ of Garri- 
son Baldwin, of Middletown, Conn., as a 
salesman, receiving for the year seventeen 
tlollars a month and board. Not ([uite satis- 
fied with his work there, and having an 
inclination for mechanii's, he went to the 
town of Farmington, Conn., and learned the 
trade of cabinet-making under Mr. Henry 
Hitchcock, who carried on a large manufac- 
tory. He began by working as errand boy 
in the establishment, but, staying there four 
years, mastered the trade, and in the latter 
part of the time received high wages. Leav- 
ing Mr. Hitchcock's em))lo\', he ne.Nt held 
the position of foreman in the large pajjer 
mill of Messrs. I'latner & Porter in the same 
town. After remaining with tiiem a )'ear, he 
returned to Masonville in 1852, antl, buying 
a farm adjoining the old homestead, was here 
engaged in farming for two years. Not yet 
prepared to settle down to the monotony of 
agricultural pursuits for a lifetime, he vent- 
ured upon another decided change, removing 
to Windham, Portage County, Ohio, whei'e he 
engaged in contracting and building, having a 
business giving employment to five workmen 
the year round. P'rom Windham he removed 
to Hiram, also in Portage County, vvliere he 
followed the same business, retaining his 
residence there till 1866. 

The military achievements of Mr. (jelter 
belong to this period of his life. In 1856 he 
organized a company known as the (iarretts- 
ville Rifles, and was commissioned Captain, 



the company belonging to the .State militia. 
And on July 29, 1S62, when he enlisted in 
Company D of the One Hundred and P'ourth 
Ohio Regiment, under Colonel James W. 
Reilly, he took with him twi-nt}-two of liis 
former men to help fill out the company. 
He was promised the l-'irst Lieutenancy; 
but, on arriving in camp, the compan\' being 
fully officered, he shouldered a rille, and went 
into the ranks as a private. He was offered 
a commission as l'"irst Lieutenant in the One 
Hundred and P'ifteenth Regiment, which he 
did not accept; and after six months' time 
he was given the command of the comi)any. 
As the other officers were captured, he filled 
their places from time to time, but was never 
a regularly commissioned officer. He was 
wounded in the battle of I'"ort Mitchell, near 
Cincinnati, on -September 10, 1862, and lost 
wholly the sight of his right eye. His regi- 
ment was in the hiittles of ('imiljerland (iap, 
Wataga Bridge, siege of Knoxville, and 
Dean's Station, ;ind started from Blue 
Springs with General .Sherman in his march 
to the sea, and entered in the Atlanta cam- 
paign, being in the battles of Maple Hill, 
Resaca, Dallas, Pine Mountain, Little Kene- 
saw, Chattahoochee River, Peach Tree Creek, 
Atlant;i, Untio Creek, and Jonesboro. Colo- 
nel Reilly was then made Brigadier-general; 
and the regiment went with General Schofield 
to Atlanta, being then sent to i-e-enf<jrci.' Gen- 
enil Thomas at Nashville. It was in the 
Pulaski skirmish, took |)art in the night 
retreat of Spring Hill, and passed the rebel 
camps at I'ranklin. On November jo, 1864, 
was fought one of the hottest fights in which 
Com])any P) took part, in support of the -Sixth 
Ohio liatterv. 'Phe rebels under General 
Pat Cleburn made five assaults, and were re- 
jjelled with a loss of six to seven thousand 
killed and wounded, including General Cle- 
burn. The Lnion loss was two to tiiree thou- 
sand killed and wounded. On P)ecember 15 
and 16 the regiment captured two guns, with 
two stands of colors, and on January 16, 1865, 
started for Washington, D.C. Compan\' D 
had travelled about eight thousand miles, 
and had lost two hundred men, killed and 
wounded, and had captured fifteen rebel flags 
and six cannon, Mr. Getter was honorablv 



360 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



discharged in June, 1865, after nearly three 
years of hard service, his health being much 
impaired. 

Returning to Masonvillc in 1S65, Mr. 
(ietter bought about four hundred acres of 
land; and, as soon as he had sufficiently re- 
covered his health, he devoted himself to 
farming. The years 1872 and 1873 he spent 
in travelling, visiting five States west of the 
Mississippi River. He has travelled quite 
extensively in North America, having been in 
twenty-nine States of the Union and in 
Canada. From 1888 to 1890 he was in the 
South, and was largely engaged in contract- 
ing and building in Kentucky and Tennessee, 
having in his employ some of the time as 
many as twenty-five men. He erected in 
Middletown, Ky., two large brick blocks, 
two churches, and fifteen dwellings, all in 
two years, being very successful in this busi- 
ness. Since 1890 he has resided in Mason- 
ville. He leases his land, and is himself 
engaged in contracting and building. He 
married Fcbruar\- 12, 1852, Minerva M. Case, 
who was born in Hartford County, Connecti- 
cut, November 19, 1832, daughter of Nelson 
and Nelsea (Brockway) Case. Her parents 
were both natives of that count}-, and her 
father was a carpenter and joiner. He moved 
to Windham, Ohio, in 1850, and died at the 
age of seventy-six years, and his wife at the 
age of seventy-two years. They had eight 
children, seven of whom are now living. 
Hosea K. Case died at thirty years of age. 
The others are: Mrs. Minerva M. Getter; 
Flora R., wife of -Sherman W. I'uller, of 
Portage County, Ohio; Asa N. and Charles 
R. Case, residing in Bavaria, Kan.; Mrs. 
Amelia A. Thayer, residing in Garrettsville, 
I'ortage County, Ohio; Fugene F. Case, liv- 
ing in Watervliet, Mich.; Mrs. Lamira C. 
Kleckler, in Fillmore County, Minn. Mr. 
and Mrs. Case were liberal in religious views. 
In politics he was a Democrat. 

Mr. and Mrs. Getter have one chikl, a 
daughter, Mrs. Rosa M. Gilbert, born August 
3, i860, wife of Fugene A. Gilbert. Mr. 
(iilbert was born May 2, i860, in the town of 
.Sidney, Delaware County, son of George and 
Olive (Olmsted) Gilbert. His father was a 
soldier in the late war, in the Eighty-si.xth 



Regiment, New York Volunteers, Company 
M, and died from disease in 1861, at the age 
of thirty years. Mrs. Olive Gilbert resides 
with her son luigene, who is a member of the 
Sons of \^eterans of Unadilla, One Hundred 
and Nineteenth Thorne Corps. Mr. (iilbert 
is a Republican in politics. 

Mr. and Mrs. Getter are liberal in religion, 
and politically he is a Republican. He is a 
charter member of the Masonville Lodge, No. 
606, A. F. & A. M., of Unadilla Chapter, 
Norwich Commandery, No. 46, Norwich Con- 
sistory; also of Wells Post, No. 180, Grand 
Army of the Republic, of which he was the 
first Commander, holding the office for three 
years. It should go without saying that Mr. 
Getter is a popular man in the county, widely 
known as a kind neighbor and a good citizen, 
a man of excellent understanding and general 
information, and one who has a host of 
friends. He is interested in e\erything 
which is for the benefit of the community, 
and may be counted on ever to lend a hand to 
the cause which is right. 

The publishers of the "Review" are i:)leased 
to present a portrait of Mr. Getter, a very 
good likeness of this patriotic and eminently 
useful citizen, in connection with this brief 
sketch of his personal and family history. 



ORACl-: M. CO^^?S was born in 
Hamden, Delaware County, N.Y., 
January 8, 1821. His grandfather, 
'John Combs, was born in Devon- 
.shire, ICngland, in the year 1757. Being the 
only son of wealthy parents, he was gi\en the 
opportunity of a thorough education; but at 
the age of eighteen years, becoming impatient 
of the restraints of school life, he ran away, 
and enlisted in the British regulars, suppos- 
ing he was going to Ireland. But that was 
not to be his destiny; for, instead of being 
ordered to Ireland, his regiment was sent to 
America. During his service in the British 
army he was in the battles of Long Island, 
Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, 
and was taken prisoner during the campaign 
of Rhode Island. 

After he was paroled, believing the Amer- 
icans were fighting in a just cause, he went to 




BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



3'''> 



Connecticut, and hired himself to a farmer, Iloliow, in the town of Colchester, win ix m 

remaining there three years; and during the built a saw-mill, and again engaged in the 

time he married Miss Currance Southworth. lumber business. I lere he remained till 1S5S, 

After his marriage he took his wife and all when he removed to Ohio, thinking a ehan-'^e 

that he possessed of this world's goods on of climate might restore bis failing health, 

horseback, and "went West." and settled in .\fter his return to New \ork in 1863 be 

the town of l^roome, Schoharie County, N.V. made his home with his son Horace until bis 

Here they took up and cleared a large farm ; death in 1S64. Joseph Combs was a stanch 

and here to them were born four sons and two Whig until the Republican party was formed, 

daughters, whose names were as follows: and then be became a firm adherent to Repub- 

PoUy, John, Seth, Anson, Josejib, and Electa. lican principles. Hoth be and his wife were 

Remaining in Schoharie until his eldest chil- members of the L'niversalist church, 

drcn were grown up, he again moved West, Horace M. Combs, whose name heails this 

and bought the farm now owned by Mr. Rait biography, was born in Hamden. Delaware 

near Hawley's Station, in town of Hamden, County, '\. W, on January S, 1821. He oh- 

where they spent the remainder of their lives, tained education in the district school, and at 

he dying in 1844. 'i^ the age of eighty-one, the age of twenty-one began business for bim- 

she in 1845, at the age of eighty-four. Hotb self by purchasing a trad of two hundred 

were members of the I'resbyterian church. acres of land, whence he ])roceeded to clear 

Joseph Combs, the father of Horace, came the monarchs of the forest, the migbtv hem- 

with his father from Schoharie in his child- locks, with which it was densely "timbered, 

hood. In those jirimitive times mail came and manufacture them into lumber to be run 

but once a week, carried on horseback. Jo- down the Delaware to Philadelphia in rafts, 

seph being the youngest son, it became bis After spending about a year and a half in this 

duty to cross the river on post day in a boat, place, he sokl out and' removed to Walton, 

and go after the newspaper, which was then where he learned the wagon-maker's trade, 

quite a rarity, and, after he returned, to read Having followed this occupation two years, 

it through from first to last to the rest of the be returned to bis native town, and worked 

family, with bis father for teacher. Under the succeeding fifteen years at the carpenter's 

his father's instruction and by his own energy trade. Being naturally ingenious, by dili- 

he became noted among acquaintances as a gence and close attention to'all the details of 

reader, debater, and teacher of common bis work he became an expert and noted 

schools, and held the office of Justice of the mechanic. In 1S56 Mr. Combs removed to 
Peace for many years. He married Maria ' Colchester, where he purchased sixty-five 

Brisack, and settled down on a farm at Haw- acres of land, partly on the Delaware River, 
ley"s Station. Their marriage was blessed j and, erecting a house and necessary farm 

with the advent of these children —Charles, buildings, prejjared for liimsclf and family a 
Elmira, Horace Marcus, .Adeline, .Seth, and | permanent home. 

Willard. He selected Irrmi among his schoolmates 

At that time Delaware Comity was a great Urpah Holmes to be his partner for life, and 

lumber region, immense (juantities of pine they were married [ulv 8, 1S47. Miss 
and hemlock lumber being manufactiu-ed and ' Holmes was born .April 16, 1826, and was the 

floated down the Delaware River to I'biladel- daughter of John A. Holmes, who lived in the 

phia in rafts during the si)ring freshets. Jo- same neighborhood. Imvc sons were born to 
seph became a prominent lumberman, anti one , Mr. and Mrs. Combs, as follows: Leslie S.. 

of the most expert and noted steersmen of bis born .Ajiril 22, 184S; Williard F., I'ebruarv 
time. It is a very remarkable fact that be i 5, 1853. died November 2. 18S2; |ohn A.', 

steered down the river the second voyage be March 5, 1855; William I'd Isworth, February 

ever made. 2, 1S61 ; Newton !•:., May 24, 1864. Leslie 

In 1840 Mrs. Combs died, and Joseph sold j S. Combs was married November 11, 1874, to 

his farm at Hawley's and removed to Gregory Phebe J. Husted, of Bloomville, Delaware 



362 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



County, N.V.; and they have one daughter, 
Minnie E., born March 22, 1878. Williard 
F. Combs was married in September, 1880, to 
Angelina Hofelc, of Colchester, N.Y; they 
had one daughter, Mary E., who was born 
October 22, 1881. John A. Combs was mar- 
ried in October, 1880, to Hattie Shaver, of 
Shavertown, N.Y., and four children have 
been born to them; namely, Walter H., 
Mabel A., Celia, Grace L. Combs. Will- 
iam Ellsworth Combs was married October 
17, 1882, to Hettie Dumond, of Walton, N.Y. 
They have five children — Marian E., Edith 
S., Cecile H., Hazel O., Arras P. Combs. 
Leslie is a teacher, John is a farmer and car- 
penter, William Ellsworth is a farmer and 
manufacturer of lumber and various articles in 
that line, and Newton remains with his father 
to assist him in his declining years. 

Land brought up from a low state of culti- 
vation to the production of bountiful crops, a 
beautiful orchard bearing the finest of fruit, 
and comfortable and commodious buildings 
are evidence of the untiring energy which has 
ever been characteristic of Mr. Combs. In 
])olitics he is a firm believer in the ]5rinciples 
of the Republican party. He holds to no par- 
ticular religious creed, but is liberal in his 
views. His wife, Mrs. Orpah Combs, who 
died May 6, 1882,, was a Presbyterian. 




ILLIAM A. TEN BROICCK is a 
}S'\ well-known resident of the village 
(if Griffin's Corners, in Middle- 
town, Delaware County, where since 1848 he 
has prosperously pursued the arduous profes- 
sion of law. He was born in Columbia 
County, November 20, 1823, the very year 
when President Monroe announceil the impor- 
tant view in regard to the position of nation- 
alities in North America, which has since 
been known as the Monroe Doctrine. 

His paternal grandfather was Samuel Ten 
Broeck ; and the grandmother belonged to tiie 
family by blood as well as law, her maiden 
name being Christina Ten Broeck. They 
owned two hundred and fifty acres of land and 
a beautiful residence in Columbia County, 
near Mellenville: and thereon Samuel Ten 
Broeck died at fourscore, after a specially 



prosperous life. His wife lived to be a cen- 
tury old. They belonged to the Dutch Re- 
formed church, and had only two children. 
Wessel Ten Broeck married into the Van 
Rensselaer family, and lived at Claverack in 
the same county, but died young. 

The other son, William, was born on the 
homestead, where he grew to manhood. He 
married Margaret Becker, the daughter of an 
enterprising Columbia County farmer. After 
their marriage they took the homestead, which 
they greatly improved; and there they raised 
a family of six boys, whose record is as fol- 
lows: David Samuel Ten Broeck, now de- 
ceased, married Elida Van Deusen, who has 
five children, and lives in Albany County. 
Walter Van Ten Broeck married Elizabeth 
Clum, daughter of Philip Clum; and both are 
dead, leaving two children, well endowed by 
their father's successful career. Peter Van 
Rensselaer Ten Broeck also died, leaving two 
children. Jacob L. Ten Broeck married Eliz- 
abeth Clum, daughter of William Clum; and 
both he and his wife are deceased, leaving two 
children. The fifth son is the subject of the 
present sketch. The youngest boy, Jeremiah 
Ten Broeck, married Maria Keifer, is a Sau- 
gerties farmer, and has six children. The 
father of all these boys, William S. Ten 
Broeck, lived to be only thirty-five years old; 
but his wife sin"vived him many years, living 
to be seventy-five. Like his father, he be- 
longed to the historic Dutch Reformed 
church; and he was a Democrat in political 
opinion. 

William A. Ten Broeck was educated at the 
schools in Hudson, N.Y., and at Lenox, in 
the western part of Massachusetts. Then he 
entered the law office of Monell & Hogeboom 
in Hudson. At the expiration of two years 
he changed to the office of Adams & Watson 
in Catskill, where he finished his stuilies, and 
met his matrimonial fate. On October 19, 
1847, he was admitted to the bar, at the ses- 
sion of the court in Utica. In 1846 he came 
to Griffin's Corners, where he has ever since 
remained, greatly to the advantage of both 
himself and the town. He had been married 
one year before, in 1845, when he was twenty- 
two years old, to a lady who merited her name, 
Mary Ann Comfort, the eldest daughter of 



RIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



3C>3 



lliraiii anil Julia (Luilinj;t()ii) (."oiiifort, of 
Catskill. Mr. Comfort was the thriving 
owiuT of a sash and blind factory, and died 
wlun onl\- forty years of age, leaving five 
girls, almost a match for the six Ten Broeck 
boys already mentioned. These girls were: 
Mary, who became Mrs. Ten 13raeck; Julia, 
named for hei- mother; Helen; Charlotte; 
Caroline. Their mother lived to be sevent)-- 
three years old, and was an earnest inemlier of 
the Episcopal church, as was also her much 
respected husband. 

Mrs. Ten Broeck died in iS66, aged thirt_\- 
seven, though she had already jiassed twenty- 
one happy Christmases in wedlock, being 
manied when only sixteen. .She left three 
hoys and a girl: Charles C. I'en Broeck, born 
in 1846, married Martha Godkins, is a ilrug- 
gist in Kingston, and has liuried his only 
child. William B. Ten Broeck, born in 
1848, lives in Ctah, where he owns a large 
ranch. Helen Ten Broeck, born in 1S51, be- 
came the wife of \V. H. .Swart, of I'lster 
Count)', New \'ork, and died in 1 S90, leaving 
four children, who are with their father in 
Saugerties. Henry H. Ten Broeck, born 
in 1855, married Ella Wilson, who died in 
1893. He is a book-keeper in Lycoming 
Count}-, with one child, another liaving died 
yoimg. In i8»>7 Mr. Ten Broeck was again 
married, this time to Mrs. Mary Ann Person, 
the widow of Jolm A. I'erson, and the eldest 
daughter of .Solomon Osterhout and his wife, 
whose maiden name was Bookhout. Mr. Os- 
terhout lived at Grififin's Corners, where he 
was an early settler, carrieil on his farm in 
the most progressive fashion, and lived to be 
eighty years old. Politically he was a Demo- 
crat. Though he lost his wife while still a 
young woman, she left nine children: Mary 
Ann, afterward Mrs. Ten l^roeck : Catherine; 
Elizabeth; George; William: Chailes: )ames; 
Augustus; and Nancy Osterhout. 

Mr. Ten Broeck is a Democrat, and has 
been for sixteen years a Justice of the Peace, 
and for a dozen years has been Pension No- 
tary. As a Eree Mason, he belongs to Mar- 
garettville Lodge, No. 389, and is a member 
of the I'lpiscopal church. In everything of a 
public nature taking jdace in the village, he 
is sure to have a prominent part; thougli of 



course, when a man |)asses the milestone of 
threescore and ten, he is less active in general 
al'fairs. Mr. l"cn Broeck rendered valuable 
aid in tlu' erection of the two churches at 
(iriffin's Corners, one Methoilist, the other 
]^)isco|)al. Well is it said by Lonl Eldon, 
himself a distinguished nu'niber of the bar, 
"To succeed as a lawver a man must work 
like a horse and live like a hermit."" 




ll.\RLl-;S IE (il'LkOMP:. a farmer and 
marketman of the town of .Sidnev, 
Delaware County, N.^'., was born 
in the town of Kortright in this 
county, March i, 1850, and is the son of Jesse 
and Eois ( Ilobbs) Gerome. The father was 
born July 13, 1803, in Kortright, and the 
mother .August 13, 181 i, in the town of 
Andes. 

The paternal grandfather of Mr. Gerome 
was born in Dutchess County, of Erench par- 
entage. Removing lo Delaware County in 
its early and primitive days, he settled in the 
town of Kortright; and, building a rude but 
comfortable house, he engaged in clearing up 
his land. He reared a family (}f eight chil- 
dren, five sons and three ilaughters, five of 
whom are still living, the eldest, Benjamin, 
now residing in the State of Delaware in his 
ninety-fifth year. The grandfather died in 
Kortright at the age of sixty years, but the 
grandmother lived to see her ninetieth birthday. 

Jesse Gerome was reared in the town of 
Kortright, where he was engaged in farming 
until 1854, when he remo\ed with his family 
to the town of Si<lne)-, where he purchased a 
farm, and loiitinued farming until the death 
of liis wife, which occurred December 15, 
1862. at the age of fifty-one years. He was a 
kind husband and father, ujiright in his deal- 
ings with all, and generous even to a fault. 
i-"or a niimlKr of years before his lieath he was 
a confinetl invalid, being kindly cared for at 
the home of his son Horace, where he died 
August I, 1888, at the age of eighty-five 
years. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Gerome had seven 
children, five sons and two daughters, four of 
whom are now living. Hiram, the eldest, a 
farmer, died in P'ebruary, 1883, in the fifty- 
first year of his age; he left, surviving him. 



3'>4 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



two chikiren — Seymour H. and Susie V. 
Horace Geronie is a farmer now residing in 
Sidney Centre. Mary E., wife of George F. 
Rifenbark, resides at Oneonta, N.Y. James 
died December 2, 1864, at the age of twenty- 
two years, from a gunshot wound received 
while making a charge with his regiment, 
the One Hundred and Forty -fourth New 
York Volunteers, at the battle of Honey Hill. 
S.C. Nancy A. resides at Sidney Centre, 
N.Y. Charles H. is the subject of this 
sketch. George E., a graduate of the Dela- 
ware Literary Institute of Franklin, N.Y., 
was afterward a teacher for .some time in the 
same institution. During President Cleve- 
land's first administration he received the 
appointment of superintendent of an Indian 
school in North Dakota, where he remained 
four years. Afterward he became the Prin- 
cipal of the Union High School at Davenport, 
Neb., which position he held when he died, 
May 30, 1893, aged forty-one years. 

Charles H. Gerome was educated in the 
common schools of the town of Sidney and 
the Delaware Literary Institute of Franklin, 
N.Y. He was at an early age impressed with 
the importance of self-reliance and indepen- 
dence, which have been characteristic of him 
since. He gained a good business education, 
paying for his own tuition while at school by 
work during the vacations on the farm. He 
engaged in farm work and teaching in the 
winter season until his marriage, which took 
place October 26, 1875, to Miss Frances L. 
Hess. Mrs. Gerome was born in Baraboo, 
Wis., September 4, 1856, a daughter of John 
and Margaret (Crawford) Hess. She also was 
a teacher in the common schools until her 
marriage. Mr. Gerome continued farming for 
a number of years after his marriage, but 
finally removed from the farm to Sidney Cen- 
tre, where he now resides. He first engaged 
in the mercantile business by himself. 
Afterward, taking in a partner, he was for 
three years a senior member of the firm of 
Gerome & Whitman. At length, retiring 
from the firm, he engaged in general specula- 
tion, also conducting a meat market, which he 
still continues, as a member of the firm of 
S. L. Bennett & Co., running his farm in 
connection with his business. 



Mr. Gerome has always taken an active part 
in politics, and in 1879 was elected Justice of 
the Peace of his town, serving continuously 
until 1892, during which time he served as 
Justice of Sessions of the county three terms. 
In 1886 he was elected Supervisor, serving in 
that capacity until 1891. While in office, he 
refunded the public debt of the town to such 
an advantage that the interest theretofore 
annually paid by the town would in twenty 
years pay up and discharge the whole in- 
debtedness, principal and interest. He was 
also instrumental in settling controversies 
concerning the old bonds and their validity, 
to the general satisfaction of his townsmen. 
In politics he is a Democrat, believing that 
the principles of that party carried out would 
better serve the masses of the people than any 
other — that a low tariff, or even none at all, 
would be more beneficial than an unjust and 
unnecessary one collected from the people. 
He does not believe that a public servant 
should be hampered or governed by any law or 
rule of action in the appointment to positions 
of trust, but that such should be given to 
those most capable, ahvays keeping in view 
the principle that "to the victor belongs the 
spoils": and therefore he is not an admirer of 
the civil service law. 

In religious views he may be described as 
liberal, not in the sense of believing that one 
will not be held accountable for his life and 
acts, but holding that all will receive their 
reward or punishment according to the light 
and understanding given them. Mr. Gerome 
has two children — Margaret L., born Decem- 
ber 4. 1878; and J. Clark, born December 22, 
1893. He is one of the active and progres- 
sive men in Sidney, ever filling the public 
positions to which he has been elected with 
credit to himself and his town. 




ENAS FARRINGTON is a prosper- 
ous and practical farmer of Delhi, 
, ranking among its most respected 
citizens. The homestead which he 
now owns and occupies is the place of his 
birth, which occurred June 10, 183 1. His 
grandfather, March Farrington, who was of 
English antecedents, was born in this State 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



3f>S 



in October, 1762. Ik- had an honorable 
record as a soldier in the Revolution and 
the War of 1812. and as a pioneer of Dela- 
ware Connty. On first arriving in this re- 
gion, having followed a route marked by 
blazed trees, he located his home in tliat part 
of the town of Meredith now known as !\Iere- 
tlith Square: antl, when he built his hund)le 
log cabin, his nearest neighbor was in Delhi, 
some six miles away. He and his family 
subsisted mainly for a time on the game and 
fish to be found in the vicinity. He subse- 
ijuently removeil to Delhi, where he and his 
cherished wife spent their declining years, 
she passing to her eternal rest November 10, 
1841, in the seventy-eighth year of her age. 
having been born April 17, 1764, and he 
dying April i, 1849. Her maiden name was 
Betsey Colton ; and by her and her husband 
five children were leared — Morris L.. Pau- 
lina, Hetsy Ann, Florella, and I'olly. 

Morris I,, h'arrington was but two years 
old when he came with his parents to this 
county, and at that early day educational ad- 
vantages were here very limited. He began 
early to assist in the labors of the farm, grow- 
ing more and more useful each year, remain- 
ing with his parents until he attained his 
majority, and afterward taking care of them in 
their latter years. In i8:;o he bmight the 
larm which is now included in the homestead 
of his son Zenas, of which he cleared a large 
portion, further improving it by erecting the 
jiresent substantial set of frame buildings. 
Here he spent a long period of useful activity, 
living to the venerable age of ninety years. 
He was a very intelligent man, taking |5art in 
the management of local affairs, and serving 
in many of the minor olifices of the town. He 
married Ruth Frisbie, the daughter ui Judge 
Gideon Frisbie, one of the original settlers of 
Delhi, and the first Judge of Delaware 
County, the first circuit of tiie county being 
held in his house. Judge I''risbie came h'ere 
on horseback, long ere the time of public 
highways, and was for many j'cars one of the 
most prominent men in this section of the 
county. He reared a family of six children 
by his first wife — namely. Gideon, Daniel, 
William, I-"reelove, Huldah, and Ruth: and 
rive by his second wife — namely, Milton, 



I'ortiu-, i'hilliii, Angeliiie, and Anzolette. 
Ruth, who married Morris !,. Farrington, was 
born in Delhi, and spent her declining years 
at the home of her son Zenas, dying in 1876, 
at the age <jf seventy-eight years. She bore 
her husband three children; namelv, Anzo- 
letle. Zenas, and Maurice. 

Zenas l-'arrin-ton remained on the parental 
homestead until he was twimty-(jne years of 
age, in the mean time receiving a good prac- 
tical education in the district school and acad- 
emy. Desiring to become better acquainted 
with his native country, he travelled as far 
West as Michigan, where he worked for a year 
as a farm laborer. Returning to Delhi, he 
took charge of the liome farm, which he 
bought in 1865, and has since carried on a 
thriving business in general agriculture, of 
late years making a s|)ecialty of dairying, 
kee|Mng a valuable herd of Guernsey cows, 
and making a superior article of butter, which 
finds a ready market in New York City. 

On December 28, 1875. Mr. Farrington 
was united in marriage with Marv R. F'itch, a 
daughter of Dr. Thomas h'itch, and a grand- 
daughter of Dr. Cornelius R. Fitch, one of 
the first practising ])hysicians in Delhi. Dr. 
Fitch was one of a family of eight children, 
being the third son. He was educated in the 
Delaware Academy, subsecjuently attending 
Girard College, Philadelphia, from which he 
was graduated, afterward beginning his medi- 
cal career in Prattsville, Greene County. He 
married Sarah J. 1,. Beattie. the daughter of 
Dr. l'~ranc-is S. Beattie, who was one of a fam- 
ily of seven sons, all of whom settled in 
Orange County. Dr. P'rancis Beattie studied 
medicine, and began practising in Philadel- 
])hia. During the time of the Seminole War 
he went to P lorida as a siu-geon in the arm\', 
accomjianied by his wife: and both became 
\-ictims of the yellow fewr. Their daughter, 
Sarah Beattie, was tht'ii a brilliant young lady 
of sixteen years, highl\- educated and accom- 
])lished, ha\ing studied witli a governess ; and 
she was subsequently engaged in teaching in 
Delhi, making a specialty of the French lan- 
guage, in which she was |)roficient. At the 
age of nineteen she luarried the ])romising 
young ph)sician. Dr. 'Phomas Fitch: and thev 
reared five children, namely: Walter C. ; 



366 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Mary R., Mrs. Farrington; Paulina; William 
Beattic; and Anna. Both Dr. Fitch and his 
wife died in Prattsvillc, where he had had an 
extensive practice, and was for so many years 
its most prominent physician. They were 
communicants of the Episcopal church. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Farrington 
five children have been born, namely: Louisa 
Ruth, Walter, Paul, and March, who are now 
living; and one, Morris L., who passed to the 
life beyond when an infant of sixteen months. 
In his political views Mr. P"arrington coin- 
cides with the Republican party, and so- 
cially he is a member of the Grange. Mr. 
Farrington is an attendant of the Presbyterian 
church, while his wife is an Episcopalian. 
They are somewhat related by ties of consan- 
guinity, having had one common ancestor in 
the person of March Farrington, who was the 
grandfather of Mr. Farrington, and great- 
grandfather of his wife. 



J-X.\\TD WOOSTER STEARNS, an 
— I extensive lumber merchant of Han- 
9/ cock, was born at Mount Pleasant, 
Wayne County, Pa., March 21, 
1826. The Stearns family, whose ancestors 
came over in the same ship with Governor 
Winthrop in 1630, and settled in Massa- 
chusetts, are of English descent. Joseph 
Stearns, the grandfather of the subject of this 
biography, was born at Attleboro, Mass., and 
from there moved to Connecticut. He was 
of a company called the "Nine Partners" that 
intended to settle in Harford, Susquehanna 
County, Pa. ; but Joseph came only as far as 
Mount Pleasant, where he cleared a tract of 
land and cultivated a farm. He was the 
father of nine children when he arrived at 
Mount Pleasant; and it was here that his son, 
Jabez Stearns, was born, June 18, 1793. The 
wife of Joseph Stearns was Rhoda Tingley, a 
native of Attleboro, Mass., whose brothers 
were early settlers in Susquehanna County, 
and whose descendants are still very numerous 
there. Mrs." Stearns was a devout member 
of the Baptist church at Mount Pleasant, in 
which town Joseph died, June 2, 1829, at an 
advanced age. His widow survived him six 
years, and during that time received a pension 



on account of her husband's services in the 
Revolutionary War. They left ten children, 
who grew to manhood and womanhood. 

Jabez Stearns was a natural mechanic, and, 
besides farming, worked at other trades. He 
was ambitious to secure a good education, in 
which he succeeded by dint of earnest effort. 
He married Rowena Wooster, daughter of 
David and Polly (Church) Wooster, the 
former of whom was a pioneer of Bradford 
County, Pennsylvania, and a nephew of Gen- 
eral David Wooster, of Revolutionary fame. 
Jabez Stearns had six children, namely: Har- 
riet E., who lives in Hancock, and was for 
forty years a school-teacher in Wayne County, 
Pennsylvania; David Wooster; Polly Church, 
who married Ira Steinback, of Gibson, Sus- 
quehanna County; Laura, an artist, who lived 
in Scranton for a number of years, but now 
resides with her sister, Harriet E. ; Irene, 
who died in 1872; F" ranees, who married 
G. S. Ames, of Gibson, Susquehanna County, 
and lived only a year or two thereafter. 
Jabez Stearns and his wife moved to Damas- 
cus, Wayne County, Pa., in November, 1838, 
and lived for thirty-five years on the farm 
that he there laid out and cultivated. He 
died in Damascus in 1874, two years after 
the death of his wife. In early life they were 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
but in later life both became believers in the 
Universalist faith; and he w-as a strong tem- 
perance man, having a rooted aversion to in- 
toxicating liquors. He was formerly a Whig 
and later a Republican in politics, and was 
always loyal to his party. 

The early days of David Wooster Stearns 
were passed at Mount Pleasant, his native 
town; and there he received his education. 
From there he moved with his parents to 
Damascus, entering upon an active life of 
farming and lumbering. His time was always 
utilized to the best advantage, so that in 187 1 
he sold the four hundred acres gained by his 
own industry, and came to Hancock, where he 
purchased twenty-one hundred acres of land, 
and engaged in an extensive lumbering busi- 
ness, the place and buildings being known as 
Stearns's Mills. This business he still con- 
ducts, and besides this he carries on a grocery 
and dry-goods store. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



3^'7 



l'"cbiuary 12, 1S66, he married Gertriuk' 
Pratt, of Johnstown, Ohio, daughter of Dr. 
15. W. Pratt, a noteil physician of liiat Stale, 
wiio went tliere from Vermont in 1840. The 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Stearns are: Ik-n- 
jamin Walter, a physician at Long luldy; and 
David Wooster, Jr., now manager of his 
father's successful lumber business. .Another 
child, Laura Maria, cfied in infancy. P'rederie 
Waters, now sixteen years of age, is a ])romis- 
ing student. Mrs. Stearns is a member of 
the J""piscopa! church, and has many times 
lent a helping hand in good work. Mr. 
Stearns voted with the Republican party till 
1874, when he changed his views to some ex- 
tent, and has since voted with the Prohibition 
part}'. lie has iie\er aspired to political 
honors, being fully occupied with his busi- 
ness, which he carries on with marked ability 
and success. He is rcgardeil as a man of 
good business cajjacily, and is personally pop- 
ular among his fellow-townsmen. 



/^VOIIN S. EICLLS is the senior member 
of the firm of Eells & Reynolds, which 
ably represents the liardware interests 
of Walton, in which department of 
business they are the leading men. lie has 
not yet crossed the meridian which marks the 
noontide of life, having been born December 
17, 1850, in the town of Walton. He is lin- 
eally descended from an honored family of 
\ew England, his great-grandfather, John 
I'^ells, having been a native of Connecticut. 
John ]-"ells was a ])ioneer of Delaware County, 
ha\'ing journeyed here on horseback in com- 
pany with Samuel Benjamin and John Moroy. 
All these men took up land fron) the gov- 
ernment, and erected log houses for them- 
s.dves and families. John Ivells, the emi- 
grant, had a son, also named John Eells, who, 
after living in. Walton many years, removed 
t() L'nadilla. He reared fourteen children. 

Henry I'lells, one of this large family, was 
reared and educated in L^nadilla, and at an 
early age had the misfortune to lose his 
mother, from whom he had inherited so many 
of his sterling cpialities. He learned the 
trade of tinsmith, and in 1840 came to the 
x'illage of Walton, where he opened a stove 



and tin store. 1 le sidisequeiii 1)' worked as a 
journeyman in ]{lmira, tiien in Little l-'alls, 
from there coming to Walton, where he en- 
tered into business with Colonel .Samuel 
North, continuing tiuis for a while, when he 
purchased the Colonel's interest, and con- 
ducted the business alone for about fifteen 

I years. Admitting S. H. P'itch as a ])artner, 
they carried on a thriving trade for six years, 

I after which W. S. Hanford became a partner, 
the firm name being changed to ICells, Han- 
ford & Fitch. After the 'death of Mr. Han 
ford, whose interest was purchased b\- X. C. 
Wood, the firm was known as liells, P'itch & 
Wood, antl then as I'.ells tSj Wood, Mr. Fitch 
retiring. h'inallv, Mr. P'ells. selling out 
his interest to his S(in, Jnhn .S.. the subject of 
this sketch, retired from the active cares of 
business, and during the remainder of his life 
enjoyed the leisure to which his many years 
of labor entitled him. He manied Anna 
Gav, one of four children born to William 
and Anna Ga\', who were natives of Connect i- 
cutt, and pioneer settlers of Walton. 'I'hev be- 
came the parents of three children: Herbert 
K. resides in Philadelphia; Henry Gay died 
in 1865; and John S. .Mrs. Anna liells is 
still living. .She is a consistent and sincere 
member of the Congregational church, to 
which her husband also belonged, and is ever 
active in the good works of that denomination. 
Mr. Henry ICells died at the age of sixty- 
three years, and his loss was deei)l\' deplored 
by tlie comminiity in which he had so long 
resided. 

John .S. I'lells acquired a good education in 
the district schools and academy of Walton, 
and then began his business career with his 
father, learning first the tinsnnth's trade, 
finall}' taking his father's interest in the firm 
of ]''ells & Wood. He subsequently disposed 
of his Inisiness, selling out to L. S. and 
J. \V. .St. John, and was for several years there- 
after in their employ as a clerk. In I'ebru- 
arv, 1 89 1, he purchased an interest in the 
business, the firm then being changed to St. 
John, I'.ells i^ Reynolds. Subsequently the 
two latter mentioned members of the firm 
bought out the interest of the senior partner, 
J. W. St. John, of whom an extended sketch 
nia\' be found on another page of this volume: 



368 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



and the new firm, Eolls & Reynolds, are now 
ably conducting the business. The marriage 
of Mr. ]-:ells and Miss Hettie Wilson, the 
daughter of Alanson and Elizabeth (Duggan) 
Wilson, formerly of Michigan, was solemnized 
December lo, 1873. Their pleasant union has 
been blessed by the birth of three children: 
Henry Wilson, Kate Gay, and John Dwight. 

Politically Mr. Hells affiliates with the Re- 
publican party, giving full adherence to its 
principles, and, although having little or no 
aspirations for the duties and emoluments of 
public office, has nevertheless served as mem- 
ber of the Board of Education for several 
years, has also been Clerk of the Corporation, 
and since 1877 has filled the position of Town 
Clerk, having been re-elected to the office 
every year but one. He and his family are 
all communicants of the Episcopal church, of 
which he has been Vestryman for twenty 
years, being now Clerk of the Vestry; and 
Mrs. Eells, who is active in church work, has 
been for many years a teacher in the Sunday- 
school. 



was 



-OHN W. WINTER, of Middletown, is 
a descendant of one of the early pio- 
neers of this part of the State of New 
York. His grandfather, John Winter, 
born in England, and there married. 
After his wife's death he came to America 
with three of his children, and made his first 
abode in Bovina. A little later Mr. Winter 
took up ninety-six acres of land in the New 
Kingston Valley, purchasing a squatter's 
claim. His tract was uncleared, and lay in 
the midst of dense forest land, where the fero- 
cious wild animals had full sway, and the 
only roads were a few paths cleared through 
the woods and over the mountains by the Ind- 
ians. To place a family in such a home 
was a hazardous undertaking, as the howling 
wolves and blood-thirsty panthers were ready 
to fall on the hapless settler or his children 
and devour them. Yet, undaunted, he erected 
a log cabin for a temporary dwelling, and 
went to work to hew down the forest trees and 
clear the thick undergrowth, that the land 
might be made fit for cultivation. 

The three children who lived on the farm 



and assisted so materially in this hard labor 
were Thomas, Robert, and Margaret. Their 
father died at the age of eighty-two years. 
Mr. Robert Winter bought the old homestead, 
finished the task of clearing and breaking the 
land, and put up substantial buildings. He 
stayed on the farm, developing it and put- 
ting his whole interest in it, until he was 
grown to manhood, unlike many boys, who 
leave the old place to find something better, 
and often make a flat failure. At this time 
Robert met and married Sally Dumond, the 
daughter of Captain William Dumond, one 
of the early settlers of New Kingston, whose 
family is of Dutch extraction, and can be 
traced back as far as 1661. Robert and Sally 
(Dumond) Winter had thirteen children, of 
whom only five grew up; namely, Rachel, 
John W., William, Thomas, and Jane. They 
all received a common-school education, and 
were well started in life when their parents 
died. Robert lived to be seventy-two years 
old, but his wife reached the age of eighty- 
three. 

John W. Winter was born on the old home- 
stead, April 29, 1839. He worked on the 
place until he was thirty-one years of age. 
When he was married, he bought a farm in the 
neighborhood, and exchanged it for the olil 
homestead where he now lives. He put great 
labor into the further improvement of his 
farm, which, as a result, is now one of the 
best in the neighborhood, and bears the marks 
of sagacious care and thrift. It is situated 
about three miles from New Kingston, and 
eight miles from Roxbury. The town line 
between Bovina and Middletown runs through 
it. Mr. Winter enlarged his barn, and re- 
modelled it, and in 1886 built a fine two-story 
house, in which his family at present make 
their home. Mr. Winter married Elizabeth 
Scott, the daughter of Adam Scott, and a de- 
scendant of one of the earliest settlers of 
Bovina, Delaware County. They have two 
children, namely: Robert Winter, who lives 
at home; and Nancy, who married Mr. H. M. 
Colter, a furniture dealer of Margarettville. 
Mr. Winter is a Republican, and both he and 
his wife are members of the United Presbyte- 
rian-church. He is well known as a progres- 
sive farmer, antl a good neighbor and citizen. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



.V>9 




WIX I.. II ITT, son (if the late Myers 
llitt, was horn at the I'aniily hinnestead 
in the town of Colcliester, Dehiware 
County, \.V., on December 27, 1864, and is 
of the sixth <;eneration of tlie Ilitt family in 
America. His great-grandfather, Jared llitt, 
the first of whom reconl is here given, was a 
native of Westchester County, New York. 
He married Miss Betsey Harker first; ami, 
upon being left a widower, he married iMiss 
Martha Stevens, and raised a family of seven- 
teen children, all of whom ai'e now dead. 
These children were: Oliver, William, I-^s- 
ther, IClizabeth, Samuel, Hannah, Henry, 

1'-, 
and 



Jane, Ray, Electa, Ann ¥A\y.a, Richart 
Arvilla, Catherine, Leonard, James, 
Hiram. 

Abijah Hitt, a son of Jared by his first 
marriage, was born October 14, 1787. He 
was a farmer, and twice married, first to Miss 
.Sally Shaver, wlio died June 20, 1821, having 
been the mother of these children -- William, 
I'llizabeth, George, Leander, hlleanor, Kath- 
arine, and Jared, all of whom are now dead. 
His second wife was Miss Mary Conklin, born 
October i, 1799. married January 31. 1822, 
to whom five boys were liorn ; namely, Rich- 
artl K., Myers, Elisha C, Charles \\'., and 
Albert. Mrs. Mary Hitt died May 11, 1878, 
after a long and painful illness caused by a 
broken hip: and at the present writing only 
two children are li\ing — Charles W. and Al- 
bert. Abijah Hitt was a man of remarkable 
energy. He owned four farms, all of which 
were under liis own jiersonal control and 
supervision. He was drafted for the War of 
1S12, but sent a substitute. He and his wife 
left behind them the rec<uds of industrious, 
patient, Christian lives; and their descend- 
ants may well be proud of such progenitors 
as these. 

It fell to the lot of Myers, the second son 
of Abijah and Mary (Conklin) llitt, to begin 
at an early age to earn his own li\-ing, us he 
was very young when his father died, and 
there was a large family to be jjrovided for. 
He went to live with his uncle, Jolm (ireg- 
ory, a farmer at Cnion Grove, N'.Y. When- 
ever he could be spared, the little Myers went 
to school, a distance of about three miles; 
but there seems always something for the 



small boy on a faiin to do. so his opportuni- 
ties for eilucation were very meagre. Later 
on he began lumbering and fanuing in ijartner- 
shij) with two of his brothers, Charles W. and 
.llbert. In 1863 he sold out his share to his 
brothers, and bought a farm of one hundred 
and twenty acres in Telford Hollow, about 
three miles from the village of Downsville. 

In 1852 Myers Hitt married Miss Lavina 
A. White, a daughter of Richard L. and 
Elizabeth (Washburn) White. Her grand- 
father, ]?enjamin White, who served in tlie 
Revolutionary War, was of a Welsh family on 
one side. mV. and Mrs. Myers Hitt became 
the parents of four children — h:isie. Kmn- 
genie, Mary !•:., and lulwin L. Elsie, born 
September 24, 1854, is now the wife of 
Charles S. IClwood, who owns an acid factory 
at Hortou; and they have two children — 
h'rank and Walter. ICmogenie, born {'"eb- 
ruary 25, 1856, married lulwin A. Iniller, 
carpenter and contractor in Scranlon, I'a., and 
has one child, Maude. Mary E., born Janu- 
ary 8, 1859, died .September 29, 1861. 

Myers Hitt died in the last month of the 
year that has just drawn to a close, December 
19, 1894, aged si.\ty-nine years, nine months, 
and one day, after an illness of two vears, in 
which he had been a patient sufferer.' Those 
who lived near him bear testimony to his worth 
as a man, his kindness as a neighbor ami 
friend. 

Edwin L. Hitt lives at the homesteatl with 
his motlier. The farm is one of the finest 
grass farms in this region, and has been kept 
in fine condition, being well equipped wdth 
all the most modern implements of agricult- 
lu'e, aiul furnished with convenient barns and 
out-buildings, neatly kept. 




|RS. JANE E. MERRICK, who is 

the widow of Cornelius J. i\Ier- 
rick, and a resident of the town 
if Erankliu, where she is well 
and favorably known, is the daughter of John 
A. and Mary (More) (irant. The former was 
a native of .Stamford, this comity, and died at 
his farm in Gilboa, Schoharie County, in 
1 86 1, when nearly sixty-two years of age. 
His widow, who was a native of Roxburv, was 



37° 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



left with five chikliL'ii; and in iS68, at the age 
of sixtv-scvcn, she, too, passed away. Her 
children were: Jane E. ; Robert, who died at 
St. Augustine, Fla., in middle life, leaving 
three children, who inherited the large prop- 
erty he had amassed in the South; A. H., who 
died in January, 1892, at the age of seventy- 
two years, leaving a widow and three children; 
John T., who is unmarried, and lives with his 
sister, Mrs. Merrick; and Cornelia, who is the 
widow of Alfred L. Austin. 

After receiving a liberal education. Miss 
Jane K. Grant taught school for some six 
terms, and was married January 29, 1867, to 
Cornelius J. Merrick, a son of Joseph H. 
Merrick, who was one of the early settlers of 
the town. Cornelius Merrick was reared on 
the farm where the family had dwelt since its 
first settlement in the State. After marriage 
he carried on the farm for about two years, 
and then removed to that which is now occu- 
pied by the family, and which contains about 
six hundred acres, being part of the prop- 
erty which he had inherited from his father. 
Here Mr. Merrick died July 29, 1874, at the 
age of forty-two, after a long illness. Since 
the death of her husband, Mrs. Merrick, with 
the assistance of her brother and son, has con- 
ducted the affairs of the estate, and, besides 
making other improvements, in 1886 built a 
handsome residence. 

Mrs. Merrick has lost one daughter, Lizzie 
f., who died at the age of twenty months; and 
wilJiin a year a dearly loved son, Joseph Has- 
well, has been called to join those who have 
passed from earth. The death of this young 
man cast a gloom over the whole community, 
in which he was much beloved. He had read 
law, and was about to enter upon its practice 
when his health failed, and he realized that 
the only chance of regaining his lost strength 
lay in the clear air and high altitude of Den- 
ver, Col. He journeyed thither; but disease 
had made too great inroads, and in the winter 
of 1893-94 his mother joined him in his West- 
ern home, and spent with him the last days of 
his short life. He died March II, 1894, at 
the age of twenty-four, and was buried in 
Ouleout Valley Cemetery. Mrs. Merrick has 
one child living, John C, a young man of 
great promise, who is associated in the man- 



agement of the estate, and during the winter 
carries on a flourishing .business in buying 
furs. Mrs. Merrick is a woman of great en- 
ergy and ability, and is respected by all who 
know her, both for her uprightness of char- 
acter and business tact. 



T. GREGOllY, a representative of 
one of tlie earliest families that set- 
tled in the Empire State west of the 
Hudson River, was born in the town 
of Colchester, Delaware County, N.Y., June 
17, 1824, the son of Josiah and Viletta (Sut- 
ton) Gregory, the mother being the daughter 
of Caleb and Sally Sutton, of Hancock. 

Josiah Gregory was the son of Josiah Greg- 
ory, Sr., of Colchester, whose father came 
from New England iji 1775, and was num- 
bered among the first settlers of Delaware 
County. The country in those early days was 
a perfect wilderness; and the immigrant, with 
only his wife for company, lived there two 
years, until at the uprising of the Indians he 
was obliged to leave his home, burning his 
field of grain that it might not be of benefit to 
the savage foe. He and'his wife, with what 
effects they could carry with them, left the 
town on horseback, that being the only means 
of travel in those early days. He imme- 
diately engaged in the Revolutionary War, 
which was then being waged, and fought until 
peace was declared, when he returned fo Dela- 
ware County, made for himself a comfortable 
home, and lived here until his death. 

Josiah Gregory, Sr., the grandfather of the 
subject of this sketch, was born in the town 
of Colchester, and lived at the home of his 
parents during his younger days. Upon at- 
taining man's estate, he bought a tract of land 
known as Gregory Town, and there engaged 
in farming. He married Sally Fuller, of 
Colchester; and they lived on this farm dur- 
ing the remainder of their lives. 

Josiah Gregory, Jr., the father of J. T. 
Gregory, was brought up on his father's farm, 
and throughout his life gave his whole atten- 
tion to farming and lumbering. In those 
early years there were no railroads or canals, 
and very little, if any, communication be- 
tween the cities and towns. The people lived 




J. T. Gregory. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIKW 



37? 



oil tlic piuilun i,ii>c(_l by themselves and oii 
the game, incliKliny bear ami deer, \viiieh at 
that time abounded in this re_i;ion. Air. and 
Mrs. (irL'j;nry had a family of nine ehiiih'en. 
In 1840 thev removed to the town of Tomp- 
kins, where he tlied wiien eiLjiity-nine \ears 
old, his wife beinn' seventy-five years old 
when she passed away. 

J. T. Gregory came with his parents tn 
Tomjjkins, and resided at home until twenty- 
two years of age, tJien taking an active part 
in business life. lie erected a saw-mill, 
which he carried t)n for one year. At the 
end of that time he rented it, anti bought 
a tract of land, upon which he engaged in 
farming and lumbering, sending the lumber 
down the Delaware Ri\'er, a business which 
he continues ti> follow at the present dav. 

Mr. Gregory has been twice married. His 
first wife, b'.sther Ah'erson, who was born in 
Tompkins, anti died in 1883, was the daughter 
of John and Jenny (Frazier) Alverson. lie 
has by his first marriage one child, Lrxmiis, 
who now resides in Walton. Mr. (iregor)' 
married for his second wife .Sally (Durfee) 
Wakeman, and has a pleasant home in the 
village. Mr. Gregory is a Republican, and 
has served eight years as Poor Master. IK' is 
also a member of the Baptist church. A por- 
trait of this enterprising and highly rcsjiected 
citizen enhances the interest and value of the 
foregoing summary of his personal and familv 
historv. 



-AMI'.S WILLA.S CTII.SIIOLM resides 
in the village of New Kingston, in the 
town of Middletown, where he was 
born June 26, 1859, and has become a 
very influential citizen. His isaternal grand- 
father, Andrew Chisholm, was owner of the 
Wanbenschoten farm, which he cleared, erect- 
ing the first buildings thereon. There he 
lived till his death, a prosperous farmer, 
Democratic in ])olitics, and Presbyterian in 
religion, raising a family of three children -- 
William, James, anil Jane Chisholm, all <>\ 
whom grew to adult life, married, and had 
large families. James ami Jane are deceased. 
Grandfather ("hisholiu lived to the ripe age of 
eight)--four. 



His second >c/n, James Chishulm, was born 
on the home farm, where he grew up, being 
educated in the district school. In due time 
he was wedded to Rachel Delameter, daugli- 
ter I if Abraham IXlameter, who fought in 
the Revolutionary War, and whose wife l)e- 
longeil to the Brink family. In comi)ensatii)n 
for the fiery destruction, by the Pirilish, of his 
house and barn in old Kingston, .Mr. Dela- 
meter I'cceived a tract of land in New Kings- 
ton, where he farmed until his death, at 
threescore and ten. James Ghisholm bought 
this farm of his father-in-law, and there were 
raised the four children which adorned the 
Chisholm fireside. Andrew Chisholm is a 
Croton farmer, and has three children. .Sarah 
Chisholm married James Archibald, a tarnu'i', 
and has one ehiUl. Margaret Chisholm mai'- 
ried Robert Winter, and the\- li\'e in the vil- 
lage with their three children. James is the 
special subject of this sketch. Their father 
lived to the age of only fifty-two. 

James W. Chisholm grew up on the farm, 
where he remained till the age of twenty- 
three, when he married 1-21 la J. Dickson, 
j daughter of Jolm Dickson, a mechanic in 
the same town, whose wile was Isabella 
h'razier. V.vcn after the niari'iage the Chis- 
holms remained a year on the home farm, till 
he bought the wagon antl blacksmith sliop of 
Walter A. IClliott, which has been very pros- 
percius. Mr. Chisholm is a Republican, and 
held the office of Postmaster under President 
Harrison, between 1888 and 1S92. His wife 
is a member of the I'nitetl Presbyterian 
church. Mrs. Chi>holnrs maternal grand- 
father was Alexantler l-'razier, and the grand- 
mother was Christina Cowan. Mr. I"razier"s 
father was Glerander Frazier, who married 
Isabella Colter. The old man was a .Scotch 
weaver, and taught the trade to his son, Alex- 
ander Frazier, who came to America in 1820, 
and settled in Roxburx'. T^elaware County. 
where he lived to be seventy-seven years old. 
and reareil two daughters -- I'.lizabeth and 
ICllen. Mrs. Chisholm's mother was the 
daughter of Gilbert and I-'llen (Irving) Dick- 
son. The grandfather, Gilbert Dickson, .Sr., 
came from .Scotland, and settled, like so many 
of his compatriots, in Bovina, where he raised 
six bo\s and three Liirls Michael, Mar\-, 



374 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Jennie, John, Isabella, Walter, Gilbert, 
Oliver, and Theodore Dickson. Their father 
lived to be over fourscore, but their grand- 
father Dickson lived to be eighty-nine. In 
this biography the repetition of Scottish 
names is most noticeable. They belong to an 
admirable class of people, who are an honor to 
America; and to them might be applied the 
pithy words of the essayist Tuckerman, — 

"It has been said that self-respect is the 
gate of Heaven ; and the most cursory observa- 
tion shows that a degree of reserve adds vastly 
to the latent force of character." 



/^TeORGE H. REYNOLDS, M.D., is a 
I '*) I rising young physician of Delhi, 
^-— ^ whose office is pleasantly located at 
No. 502 Main Street, nearly opposite the 
American House. He has received a thor- 
ough education, and is already well and favor- 
ably known in the town and in the adjacent 
country, and is fast winning his way to a 
large and successful practice. He is a native 
of Delaware County, Roxbury being the place 
of his birth, which occurred June 21, 1865. 
His father, Cornelius D. Reynolds, was born 
in this county, at New Kingston; and that 
village was also the birthplace of his grand- 
father, James Reynolds, who late in life re- 
moved to Michigan, where he spent his last 
years. 

Cornelius D. Reynolds was bred a farmer, 
and for many years engaged in tilling the soil 
in the place of his nativity. Desiring a 
change of location, he removed to Roxbury, 
where he purchased a farm, which he is still 
conducting with marked success. In the early 
years of his life he married Mary Tyler, who 
was also a native of New Kingston, where her 
parents lived for many years. They subse- 
quently removed to Plattsville, where they 
both departed this life. The only child born 
to Cornelius D. ami Mary Reynolds was a 
son, George H., the subject of this sketch. 
The mother lived but a few years after her 
marriage, d)ing in Plattsville, at the early 
age of twenty-nine years. She was a woman 
of fine character, and, like her husband, a 
worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. After her death Mr. Reynolds mar- 



ried Amanda Craft, of Roxbury; and she 
has borne him two children — Charles and 
William. 

George H. Reynolds spent the first years of 
his life in Roxbury on the homestead of his 
father, and, after attending the district school, 
entered the Stamford Seminary, where he pur- 
sued his studies for some time. Leaving the 
seminary, he began his active career as a 
teacher in the district school, continuing in 
the pedagogical profession two years. He 
then entered upon the study of medicine with 
Dr. E. W. Gallup, of Stamford, with whom 
he remained one year. Going thence to Al- 
bany, he took a course of study at the Medical 
College, and was graduated from the univer- 
sity in 1 89 1. Having secured his diploma. 
Dr. Reynolds began the practice of medicine 
at Trout Creek, where he remained two years. 
Coming thence to Delhi, to take the place of 
Dr. Thompson, who had removed to Kings- 
ton, he has since continued in the arduous 
work of his profession, and bids fair to take a 
position among the leading physicians of this 
vicinity. The Doctor is a member of the 
Delaware County Medical Society, and in pol- 
itics is a steadfast Republican. He is an 
active worker in the Methodist church, of 
which he is a consistent member. 



EREMIAH A. HARRINGTON, a 
thriving business man of Colchester, 
the well-known proprietor of the Har- 
rington House, was born December 16, 
1870, and is the son of Cornelius J. and 
Elizabeth (Gabon) Harrington. The father 
of Cornelius J. was Cornelius Harrington, 
who was born in Ireland, but came to Amer- 
ica when a young man, and carried on for a 
number of years the Exchange Hotel in Du- 
shore, Sullivan County, Pa. He afterward 
sold out, and bought a farm of one hundred 
acres in the same county, near Dushore, 
which he and his wife enjoyed in their old 
age. They reared a family of seven children 
— Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Kate, Emma, Cor- 
nelius J., Joseph, and James. Grandfather 
Harrington was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary War, that sternly waged conflict in 
which our country won her independence. 



BIOGRAPHICAL RKVIKW 



375 



He was :i IV'inocrat, and hold to his principU's 
throughout his hmg lil'c of over scvcnty-cight 
years. 

Cornelius J. liarringlon lived with his par- 
ents luitil okl enough to go out intt) the world 
and struggle lor himself. He first engaged in 
lumbering, but after a few years returned to 
the paternal homestead to assist his father on 
the farm, and has eontinued to li\e <in the old 
place until the pre.sent day. Here he has a 
selecteil stock and an excellent dairy, and has 
raised some fine horses. Mr. and Mrs. C. J. 
Harrington had a family of eight children — 
I'homas, Jerome, John, Julia, Alice, Nora, 
leremiah, and Mary. He is a public-spirited 
man, is a Democrat, has held the office of 
Road Commissioner, antl has been on the 
school committee. 

feremiah A. Harrington was born on the 
old homestead in Sullivan County, i'a., and 
was educated in the town of his birth. IK' 
began active business life as head clerk at the 
Dushore House, and continued in this cajiac- 
ity for three vears, after which he went to 
Lestershire, and engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness with J. A. l'"arrell, where he remainetl 
for one year, at the end of that time selling 
out to Mr. Farrell. He then went to Sidney, 
and bought a billiard parlor, which he carried 
on for a year and a half, but ga\'e it up for his 
present business of inn-keeping, having bought 
a fine hotel, three stories high, beautifully 
located on the 15eaver Kill in Colchester. 
The house lias accommodations for many 
guests. It has fine rooms facing the wati'i', 
and is much patronized by city people. The 
river abounds in trout; and that the neighbor- 
hood is a fine hunting-grouiul is evidenced 
by the fact that two wild bears were killed 
last winter in sight of the hottd, which is only 
a step from the depot on the O. & W. R.R. 

On March 31, 1894, Mr. Harrington mar- 
ried Anna W'alls, daughter of Patrick Walls, 
a farmer of Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, 
and the father of two children. Mr. J. A. 
Harrington is a free-thinker, a man who is 
not hampered by traditions, not controlled by 
political bosses, but who prefers to be led by 
his own reason and conscience. I""rom his 
varied experience he has a good knowledge of 
business and business men, making him admi- 



rablv lilted for his present woik. He is a 
most genial host, which alone is enough to 
insure success in the future. 



J-^ ji;r()M1-; .man/i:r, one of the 
=\ enterprising firm of Manzer ]5rothers, 
97 _ dealers in general merchandise in 
h'ranklin, N.Y., is recognized as one 
of the foremost business men of the place, 
holding an enviable position in the esteem of 
his townspeople as one w-jio is ever ready to 
jierform a generous act, and who has the wel- 
fare of the community closely at heart. Mr. 
Manzer's grandfather, Daniel Manzer. was a 
i:)rosperous farmer of Greene County, where he 
died at an advanced age, in i860, leaving six 
children. I'our of his daughters married: but 
one, Christina, remained in single blessed- 
ness, beloved by everybody; and all still 
reside in (ireene County. 

The (Jills' son of Daniel, David ^lanzer, 
was born in 1820, in Ashland, (ireene 
County, whei'e he adopted a farmer's life, and 
married .Sarah Christian, of Ashland, who 
became the mother of seven sons. Two of 
these sons received the name Jerome, the first 
dying when an infant; the second is the 
subject of this sketch. The other children 
were: Daniel, who died in infancy; George 
I'".., at present a merchant at Sidney Centre; 
Sanford, who died at the age of seven years: 
h'rank 1']., the owner of a large farm and 
creamery at North Norwich; Hernard, the 
able |)artner of his brother Jerome in I'rank- 
lin. David Manzer cnl isted in his country's 
service in the Civil War, served for seven 
months as a private, ami died while in the 
arm)', though he was never called u])on to 
engage in active battle. He was a man of 
strong Christian faith, and an active member 
of the Methotlist church. It was in cam]) at 
City Point in 1864 that his comrades discov- 
ered him one morning dead in his bed, he 
having been in ]XM'fect health on the previous 
evening when he attended a ])rayer-meetiiig. 
His death rt'sulted from heart disease. He 
had lived an uiiright, godly life, doing the 
best in his ])ower, faithful to his duty to the 
end. His widow, Mrs. Sarah ^lanzer. was 
married a second time, and had two ciiililren: 



376 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Viola, wife of Alfred Sutton, in Otego; and 
Henry Christian, of Sidney, N.Y. 

D. Jerome Manzer was born at Hancock, 
Delaware County, July 14, 1855, and grew up 
on the farm with his mother until his seven- 
teenth year. After engaging temporarily in 
various employments, he formed a partnership 
with his brother Bernard, and in 1887 re- 
moved to l'"ranklin, where they made them- 
selves possessors of a provision establishment, 
which they operated successfully for two 
vears. They have since then added from time 
to time groceries, boots and shoes, hats and 
caps, gentlemen's furnishing goods, and, 
later, ready-made clothing, to their former 
stock. In 1890 this prosperous firm pur- 
chased the building which it now occupies, in 
the basement being the market, which they 
disposed of in 1892, Mr. Root being the 
purchaser. 

The Manzer Brothers carry about seven 
thousand dollars" worth of stock, and do a 
strictly cash business, this latter fact being 
the great secret of their success, enabling 
them to buy from the best manufacturers at 
the lowest possible prices. The firm is a 
reliable one, prompt and honest in all deal- 
ings, and is most popular among the residents 
of F' rank) in. Mr. Bernard Manzer is mar- 
ried, and has two daughters and two sons. 
Both brothers are Democrats, as was their 
father, firmly supporting that party's prin- 
ciples and platform. Mr. Manzer is a con- 
scientious man, who has won for himself his 
present position by his good business ability 
and earnest endeavors to please his patrons, 
in which he seldom fails. 




(AJOR GEORGE C. GIBBS, a suc- 
cessful builder and contractor of 
.Stamford, and a veteran of the 
late war, was born in the town 
of Harpcrsfield, January 6, 1832, .son of John 
\V. and Dortha L. (Merriam) Gibbs. His 
great-grandfather, Deacon Caleb Gibbs, was 
born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, en- 
tered the medical profession, and married 
Margary Stewart, removing to Delaware 
County, New York, in 1783. He settled in 
Harpcrsfield on what is now known as Smith 



Street, purchasing from his brother-in-law. 
Colonel Judd, two hundred and twenty acres 
of land which had been obtained by him from 
the Harper family. He built a log house and 
cleared part of his land, dying in 1801 at the 
age of seventy-two years. His wife passed 
away in her seventy-fifth year, a member of 
the Presbyterian church. Both were buried 
in the Harpcrsfield Rural Cemetery. 

Their son, Cyrenius Gibbs, grandfather of 
the subject of this biography, was born in 
Connecticut, and removed with his father 
to Delaware County when nineteen years 
of age. After his father's death he man- 
aged the farm, and married Abigail Hub- 
bard, daughter of Joel and Anna (Clark) 
Hubbard. Joel Hubbard was born in Had- 
dam, Conn., and removed to Harpcrsfield in 
the early days of this century. The Hubbard 
family is descended from George Hubbard, 
who was born in England in 1595, and emi- 
grated to America early in the seventeenth 
century. 

Cyrenius Gibbs was a progressive farmer, 
and cleared many acres of land. He was a 
Whig and held the oflfice of Judge of Commis- 
sioners, was County Supervisor for ten years. 
Clerk of Supervisors for five years. Justice of 
the Peace for fifteen years, and was a promi- 
nent Methodist and Abolitionist. 

John Wesley Gibbs, son of Cyrenius and 
father of Major Gibbs, seems in his early life 
to have disliked farming pursuits. He ob- 
tained for those days a good common-school 
education, supplemented by about two terms 
at the Jefferson Academy, then (1826 to 1828) 
one of the best educational institutions in 
Central New York, taught school a few years, 
and on May 20, 1829, married Dortha L. 
Merriam, daughter of Peter Merriam and 
Roxanna Dayton, both of old Puritan stock, 
of Watertown, Conn., and settled down in 
business at North Harpcrsfield, N.Y., then as 
now known as Middlebrook, where he pur- 
sued the business of wool-carding and cloth- 
dressing and land-surveying until the spring 
of 1840, when he removed to a farm in the 
town of Jefferson, Schoharie County, N.Y., 
where he remained until the time of his 
death, in 1871. His children were as fol- 
lows: George Clinton Gibbs (so named by his 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



377 



grandfather in patriotic remembrance of his 
intimate friend George Clinton, the Revolu- 
tionary War governor of New York). Cvrcnius 
A., Charles \V., Asenath M.. Albert D.. and 
Richard ^I. Gibbs. George C, Cyrenius A., 
and Richard M., only, are now living. The 
•ithers, as also the father, John \V.. and 
Dortha L., the mother, are deceased. Their 
mortal remains rest in tlie Rural Cemetery 
near the old Baptist church site, in the south- 
east part of the town of Harpersfield and near 
the old Stoddarii Stevens Hotel. 

George C. Gibbs, of whom this sketch is 
written, spent his boyhood in Jefferson, Scho- 
harie County, and, after being educated in the 
district schools and the old Stamford Acad- 
emy, taught school for some years during the 
winter term, assisting on the farm in the sum- 
mer. When twenty-one. he was ch-cted super- 
intendent of schools in Jefferson ; but he later 
turned his attention to the study of architect- 
ure, and began business as a contractor and 
builder in Stamford. Delaware County, re- 
maining here until the War of the Rebellion. 
He enlisted in August. 1861, accompanied bv 
his brother Charles and six other young men 
of the vicinity of Stamford, in Company E, 
Third New York Cavalry \'olunteers, raised 
by Ferris Jacobs, Jr.; and. when the companv 
was mustered into the L'nited States service 
at Elmira, Mr. Gibbs was chosen Quarter- 
master Sergeant, and was later made First 
Sergeant. Early in 1863 he was promoted to 
the position of First Lieutenant, the regiment 
being stationed at Xewbern, X.C. In .Sep- 
tember and Octohicr. 1S64, he served as Acting 
Assistant Inspector, general on the staff of 
Colonel R. M. West, commanding the Second 
Brigade of General Kautz's cavalr}" division. 
In the following January he was made a Cap- 
tain, and served on the staff of Colonel Geor":e 
W. Lewis, commanding the district of the 
Nansemond. as Inspector until the Third 
Cavalry was consolidated with the First New 
York ^lounted Ritles. thus forming the Fourth 
Xew York Provisional Cavalr}-. He was 
finally mustered out near Richmond, Va., 
November 30, 1865. 

While in the army, he participated in al- 
most every battle and skirmish in which his 
regiment was engaged during its whole period 



of service. On all the>; ,,,..,. ,,. ,,. - 

haved with conspicuous gallantry. The cour- 
age and address with which he led the 
into the entrenched camp of the rel, 
Kinston, and his coolness when, under the 
command of Major Hall, his squadron of cav- 
alry covered the retreat of fieneral Wil>on 
after the raid upon the communications nf 
General Lee, in 1864. were especially ad- 
mired by his brother officers. On the latter 
occasion the whole rebel column was kejjt at 
bay for ni<jre than an hour, until the bridge 
MVc-r .Stony Creek was burned, and our cavalry 
finally escaped by swimming the stream. 
Lieutenant Gibbs spurred his horse off a high 
rock into the river, and barely escaped in 
safety. In the battle of Golds'boro he was 
slightly wounded by a musket ball in the arm 
and side, his life being saved by a package of 
pajjcrs in his coat pocket; and in an engage- 
ment on the Darbytown road, before Rich- 
mond, he was severely wounded through the 
left leg by a m in ie bail. In 1866 he received 
a commission as Brevet Major of the New 
York Yolunteers for "gallant and meritorious 
services in the late war," and as a testimonial 
to his worth and fidelity as an officer. 

In 1866 Major Gibbs was nominated f(jr 
member of Assembly by the Re ' 
party, and received a majority of two 
and seventy-four votes over his competitor. 
When the Speaker made his appointments, he 
placed Mr. Gibbs on the Committees on State 
Prisons and Charitable and Religious Socie- 
ties. Major Gibbs is a successful architect, 
and has constructed some of the finest build- 
ings in Stamford, among which are Churchill 
Hall. New Grant House. Gray Court Inn, 
Mountain \'iew House, the Prc'sbyterian and 
Episcopal churches, and the Catholic rectorv. 
He also built the sheriff's residence and jail 
at Delhi. •• rity seat, and many other of 

the best 1 _ of his village and vicinitv. 

In 1 87 1 he Lfccted his own beautiful resi- 
dence on Main Street. Abou' :-' ' ■ ■• 
a temporary tower on Mount 1 
Stamford. ' 'jy Colonel R. w. i;^.i;i -,,.,. 

which, b' vn down, h'- lit^-r - r.lnccd 

by a still more attractive ne. 

which is still standir: 
the highest obser\'ato 



378 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Major Gibbs married in 1871 Mrs. I.aura 
Lockwood Denne, of Franklin, Ohio. Her 
only daughter, Annie, is now the widow of 
Willis B. Brownell, of Seneca, Kan. Mrs. 
Gibbs is the daughter of Ransom S. Lock- 
wood, who was born at Shaker Village, Ohio, 
February 13, 1810, and married Hannah M. 
Ross. The Lockwoods trace their ancestry to 
Robert Lockwood, who came from England to 
this country in 1630. Major and Mrs. Gibbs 
have one son, Ransom Lockwood (iibbs, who 
was born April 2, 1873, at Stamford, N.Y. 
He is a post-graduate of Stamford Seminary, 
and was graduated from the Cornell Univer- 
sity School of Law, class of 1894, receiving 
the degree of LL.B., and is now completing 
his studies with Charles L. Andrus, Esq., in 
Stamford. 

Major Gibbs is a member of St. Andrew's 
Lodge, No. 289, A. F. & A. M., of Hobart, 
N.Y., and for many years has been High- 
priest of Delta Chapter, No. 185, Royal Arch 
Masons, at Stamford. He is also now Justice 
of the Peace of Harpersfield, the town in 
which he was born, and a Trustee of the vil- 
lage of Stamford, in which he now resides. 
He is an upright, honorable, and respected 
citizen, who won an enviable reputation dur- 
ing his service in the Northern cause, 
and is universally esteemed throughout the 
community. 

Much of the above personal history, espe- 
cially that part relating to services rendered 
during the war of the Rebellion, is taken from 
" Life Sketches of the Members of the New 
V^ork State Assembly," compiled and pub- 
lished by Weed, Parsons & Co. in 1867. 



-r^TOX. TIMOTHY SANDERSON, edi- 
l-^-l tor of the Walton Cliroiiicle of Dela- 
[is I ware County, New York, was born 

^"^ in the town of Meredith, in the 
year 1848, and is of excellent Scotch-Irish 
ancestry. He is a man of marked ability and 
sterling character, impressing his individual- 
ity upon all with whom he comes in contact. 
He spent his early days on the farm of his 
father, tilling the soil in season, and attend- 
ing the district school when it was in session. 
He subsequently pursued his studies at the 



Delaware and Walton Academies, and in 1868 
entered Cornell University, being a member 
of the first Freshman class of that now famous 
institution of learning. He was graduated 
from Cornell in 1872, with the degree of A.B. 

During the following two years he was 
principal of the Red Creek Union School, at 
Red Creek, Wayne County, going thence to 
Sag Harbor, Suffolk County, where he re- 
mained three years as principal of the union 
school of the place. Returning to Ithaca, 
N.Y., he became a student in the law office of 
Frank E. Tibbets, and, being admitted to the 
bar in 1879, very soon after began the prac- 
tice of his profession at Sidney Centre in this 
county. In 1883 he was elected to the As- 
sembly from Delaware County, and served 
with distinction on the Judiciary Commit- 
tee and on the Committee of Public Edu- 
cation. Mr. Sanderson has ever taken an 
active and intelligent part in politics, and has 
a wide reputation as a public orator. During 
the campaign of 1892 he spoke under the di- 
rection of the State committee, giving his 
hearers the benefit of his study of the politi- 
cal, social, and economic problems of the day, 
and wielding a wide influence for good 
throughout this section of the State. He has 
made the tariff question the subject of thor- 
ough investigation, and is a Protectionist from 
conviction. 

In 1892 Mr. Sanderson was called to the 
editorial chair of the Chronicle, a weekly 
paper published by the Chi Ids Association at 
Walton, a position which he accepted and has 
since filled with signal ability. In 1894 he 
was appointed, by the Comptroller, Attorney 
for the State in cases pertaining to the col- 
lateral inheritance tax. Mr. Sanderson is 
conversant with the leading questions of the 
times, and expresses his opinions, which are 
the result of careful inquiry, in a forcible and 
logical manner. 



-OHN MARTIN CRONK is a promi- 
nent citizen of Roxbury, Delaware 
County, N.Y. His birthjilace was on 
the turnpike, about two miles from 
Grand Gorge; and he was born on May-day, 
1847, only four months before General Win- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



379 



field Scott captured tlic city of Mexico; and 
tiiere lias always been victory in his bones. 

In our sketch of 11. H. Cronk may be found 
further particulars of the Cronk ancestry. 
The great-grandfather, Lawrence Cronk, was 
iiorn in Germany, but early emigrated to 
America, and was a Revolutionary pri\'ate, 
dying with small-pox then contracted. Mis 
son, Lawrence Cronk, who grew up in Tarry- 
town on the Hudson, in early manhood came 
to Delaware Count}', and kept a hotel in 
Roxbury. Afterwanl he went to Dutchess 
County, married Nancy Crar\-, and worked a 
few years at his trade of carpentry, which he 
had before learned. Coming to Roxbury 
again, he worked for J. C. Hardenburgh. 
Tlien he bought the farm of a hundred acres 
now owned by IMerritt Davis, and, devoting 
his energies, put that into excellent condition. 
Making anotlu'r move, he bought the farm 
still known by his name. His last years were 
spent with his son, Edwartl Cronk. He was a 
firm ^^'hig, though he lived to see the Repub- 
lican party come into [lower; for he was 
ninety-three years old at the time of his 
death, in 1863. His wife also lived to be 
very old ; and they had ten children — John, 
Sally, Nathan. Nathaniel, Polly, Hannah. 
Betsey, Phebe, Rosetta, P^dward. 

Edward Cronk received some education at 
the district school, and worked both on his 
father's farm and for the neighbors till he was 
of age. Then he hired a farm for himself, 
and at the age of twent)'-five, in 1830, mar- 
ried I'llizabetii Haner, the daughter of Martin 
and Elizabeth (Shoemaker) Haner. Mr. 
Planer was l)orn in Dutchess County, but be- 
came an early ]Moneer in Greene County, 
clearing an estate of a hundred and thirty 
acres, where he spent the most of his life. 
P'dward Cronk bought a farm of two hundred 
acres, which had been settled by lulward 
Jump. Thereon he built a new wagon-house 
and barns, and greatly improved the place, 
keeping at one time twenty-five cows. Pie 
had six children — Sarah, John Martin, Cor- 
nelia, Lawrence, P'.lizabeth, and George 
Washington Cronk. Their mother died in 
1887, at the age of fifty-seven, in the Presby- 
terian faith: and Mr. Cronk then retired to 
the village where, in his declining vears, he 



quietly enjoys his Republican opinions, and 
needs no glasses to read the jjapers. 

John Martin Cronk worked at home, and 
went to the district school after the manner 
of otiier farmers' sons; but in 1861, just at 
the outbreak of our Civil War, whei'. he was 
only fourteen years idd, he went to work as a 
farm hand for David Smith, from whom for 
half a )ear he received as wages his board 
and four dollars a month. 'Phereafter he kept 
on in the same line, but with other farmers, 
till he passed his niajorit}-. In 1870, at the 
age of twent)'-three, he was married to .Mary 
.Selieck, daughter of Solomon Selleck, a suc- 
cessful farmer in (jilboa, Schoharie Countv, 
who married Mercy Richtmyre, and who lives 
a retiretl life in the same town, though he lost 
his wife when she was fifty-eight. They had 
but two children. One was Pratt Selleck, 
who first married Cora Becker, and then Anna 
Burhance, and is a Gilboa farmer. 'Phe other 
child, Mary .Selleck, became the wife of the 
subject of this biogra]ihy, and has two children 
— Ina and Selleck Cronk, born in 1873 and 
1S75, and both still gladdening the home. 

In 1887 Mr. Cronk bought the old More 
place of two hundred acres; and here in 
1 891 he built a fine new mansion in the vil- 
lage of Grand (iorge, where he has accommo- 
dation for nearly forty city boarders. He 
attends also to general farming, and has a 
dair\- of sixty cows. Besides his own pro- 
(hiction, Mr. Cronk bu^'s the milk fi'om fifteen 
other farmers, shipping it t" New York. 
This business he has personally attended to 
for the jxist eight years. In politics lie is a 
Republican, like his father, and, like him also, 
is a Presbyterian in his religious convictions. 
In his life and character he illustrates what 
that great preacher, Henry Ward Beecher, once 
said, — 

"Vigilance is not only the price of liberty, 
but of success of any sort." 



^0SI:PII M. pi 1:RS0N, son of Jeremiah 
i'ierson, was born in Saratoga County, 
New York, August 29, 1821, and is 
now living in the village of Walton, 
from active pursuits, enjoying the rich 
of his many years of toil and enforced 



retiree 
re war* 



38o 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



economy, his life being an excellent illustra- 
tion of what may be accomplished in this 
country by an honest, hartl-working, and en- 
terprising man. 

Jeremiah Pierson, whose birth occurred in 
Saratoga County, March 22, 1784, was a 
blacksmith by trade, and gave most of his at- 
tention to that business until the time of his 
decease, in the year 1850. He was twice 
married, his first wife, V.Wzii Gilbert, bearing 
him nine children, of whom three are now liv- 
ing, namely: Charles Pierson, born June 18, 
1807, a retired mason and builder, an active 
and hearty man of eighty-seven years ; Thomas 
B., born in 1823, a mason; and Joseph M., 
the subject of this sketch. The mother of 
these children died September 23, 1834, in 
the fiftieth year of her age; and Jeremiah 
Pierson subsequently married again, his sec- 
ond wife bearing him three children. 

Joseph M. Pierson left the home of his par- 
ents at the tender age of seven years to be- 
come an inmate of the household of his uncle, 
Penjamin Morehouse, with whom he lived 
until attaining his majority. He received a 
fair education in the district schools, and, 
after leaving his uncle's, attended a select 
school at Ballston Springs. He began his 
independent career as a farm laborer, having 
been furnished by his uncle with two suits of 
clothes and one dollar; and in the first year 
he received five dollars a month wages. Dur- 
ing the summer of 1843 this sum was in- 
creased to eight dollars a month, which was 
then regarded as quite munificent pay. The 
following year Mr. Pierson began working at 
the mason's trade, and during the time he was 
learning he received but five dollars a month; 
but even with that small sum he always 
dressed respectably, and never ran in debt. 
In 1850 he came to Walton, and, purchasing 
a farm of about thirty acres within the corpo- 
ration, was engaged in farming and masonry 
for upward of tvvoscore years, accumulating 
in the mean time a competency. His success 
has been entirely due to his own thrift and 
good management ; and, in spite of the fact 
that he has lost about one thousand five hun- 
dred dollars, he can look the world fairly in 
the face, for he owes no man a penny. In 
i8S8 Mr. Pierson sold his farm; and, buying i 



the pleasant house at No. 21 Union Street, he 
and his faithful life companion have since 
lived here as happy and cosey as need be. 

Probably the most important event in his 
life occurred on the 2d of February, 1848, 
when he was united in marriage with Miss 
Priscilla R. Lyon, who was born in Stamford, 
Delaware County, in 1825. Her father, Levi 
Lyon, was the second son of Walter Lyon, an 
early settler of this county, who died in Stam- 
ford in 1830. Levi Lyon was born on Rose 
Brook, in Stamford, March 27, 1793, and 
lived to be almost one hundred years of age, 
dying in the town of his birth. May 25, 1890. 
He married Eleanor Morehouse, who was born 
in Fairfield, Conn., February 16, 1794, the 
date of their wedding being February 21, 
18 1 5, the ceremony being performed at Malta, 
Saratoga County, by the Rev. T. Swain. 
Mrs. Lyon died September 4, 1866, in the 
seventy-third year of her age. Four children 
were born to her and her husband, the follow- 
ing being their record: Mary Ann, who mar- 
ried Byron Burgin, died May i, 1891, about 
two years after the celebration of their golden 
wedding in 1889, leaving three sons and two 
daughters ; her husband, who was five years 
her senior, and was a very tall man, being six 
feet and four inches in height, and well pro- 
portioned, lived until October 3, 1893, dying 
at the age of eighty-two years. Angeline, 
the widow of Harry Barlow, who died in 
1881, at the age of seventy-one years, lives in 
the town of Hobart, and is a smart and active 
woman of seventy-five years. George B., a 
farmer, owning and occupying the home 
farm, which contains over two hundred acres 
of land, was married in 1849 to Sarah Pa- 
melia Peck. Priscilla R., the youngest child, 
is the wife of Mr. Pierson. Mrs. Pierson has 
among her possessions a sampler which she 
worked in her tenth year, containing the let- 
ters of the alphabet embroidered in various 
forms, and also the initials of her parents and 
grandparents. This sampler, which is ten 
inches by twenty inches, is made from linen 
which was spun and woven by her mother from 
flax grown on their own farm. She has also a 
piece of home-made linen thread lace, which 
has been in use a good deal of the time the 
past fifty years. 




(JflMES MC DONHLD. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



.vS3 



Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. I'icrson aro the 
parents ot" three cliihhen: l-Hlen ]•;., the only 
(laughter, is the wife of lulson Dann, and has 
two children : George J., a student in Union 
College; and I""lorence E., a pupil in the 
Walton High School. Charles II. Pierson, a 
farmer, living near Walton, was united in 
marriage Feljruary 14, 1S82, to Elma S. 
Alexander, who died in 1S91, leaving one 
daughter; and he subsequently marrieil Cor- 
nelia Pi'oper. George J. Pierson, who is in 
the Walton Novelty Works, married Rose 
Berry; and they have two children — Fred R. 
and lulith R. In politics Mr. Joseph M. 
Pierson is a stanch supporter of the Republi- 
can party. Religiously, he and his wife are 
members of the Methodist church, of which 
he has been much of the time for several years 
a Tinistee and .Steward. 



(^()S]-:PH a. S.Mirii, a well-known and 
prominent farmer of Holmes Brook, 
was born in Delhi, Delaware Count)', 
N.Y., December 27, i860. His par- 
ents were James II. and Helen (Calhoun) 
Smith, residents of Delhi. The paternal 
grandfather, James Smith, was born in Ire- 
land, and, coming to this country in 1820, 
[jurchased a farm near Delhi, where he resided 
until his death. He reared a family of five 
children — -Joseph, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, 
Belle, and James H. 

James H. Smith was educated at the dis- 
trict schools, and resided with his father until 
he was twenty-two years of age, when he de- 
parted for the gold-fields of California, in 
which locality he remained four years. He 
afterward returned to his native place, and 
purchased the old homestead, taking up the 
pursuit of farming. Mr. .Smith married Miss 
Helen Calhoun, a daughter of Peter Calhoun, 
of Bovina; and six children were born to 
them, namely: James P.: Joseph A.: Edwin 
C, deceased: Helen M. : .Malcolm J.; and 
.Margaret E. Mr. Smith died T'ebruary 6, 
1S87, at the age of fifty-six. Mrs. Smith 
makes her home at the present time with the 
subject of this sketch. She is of .Scotch an- 
cestry, her family coming from the town of 
Helensburgh, near Glasgow. Mr. Calhoun 



came to ^Vmerica in 1 S 54, and settled in J?o- 
vina. His family consisted of ten children: 
John, who was a practising physician in 
Delhi, and is now tleceased ; Peter; Mar\-; Jea- 
nette; Archibald; Helen: Malcolm; James; 
Daniel; and Margaret. Mi', and Mrs. Cal- 
houn died at Bovina. ]\Ir. Calhoun was an 
bolder and prominent member of the I'resbyte- 
rian church, with which his family were also 
connected. 

Jose])h A. .Smith was educated at the dis- 
trict schools, and at Delaware Academy at 
Delhi. During his father's lifetime, he was 
of material assistance to him on the farni, and 
since his death has heliied his mother on the 
homestead. Eike his father before him, he 
supports the Republican partv. In his relig- 
ious views he, like the rest of the family, 
affiliates with the Presbyterian church. He 
has never aspiretl to any public office, devot- 
ing his whole attention to the farm and the 
care of his mother, a most estimable l;ul\'. of 
whom her son nia}' be justlv |jroud. 



'^AMES McDonald, a highly intelli- 
gent and successful farmer and dair\'- 
man of the town of K<jrlright, Dela- 
ware County, was born Jul}' 24, 1826, 
on the farm where he now resides. He be- 
longs to a good old Scotch family, the meni- 
bers of which were among the first settlers of 
Kortright, where they have always been re- 
sjx'cted for theii' integrity and industry. His 
grandfather, John McDonald, was a native of 
.Scotland. He canie to ^America to seek a fort- 
une, staying at first for a while in New York 
City, and niarrying there soon after his ar- 
rival. About the year 1786 he removed to 
Delaware County, buying a tract of one hun- 
dred and eighty acres, uncleared and unculti- 
vated. This he proceeded to clear; and here 
he built his log house, making his home 
in the Delaware \'alley among the Catskill 
.Mountains. Game of all kinds, large and 
small, was plentiful; and niany were the ad- 
\'entures of the sturdy pioneers with wolves 
and inmthers. The nearest market was at 
Catskill; and he was obliged to carry his 
grist on horseback into Schoharie County to 
have it ground, finding his way bv nieans of 



384 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



the marked trees, there being no roads in that 
portion of the country. John McDonald was 
a liberal-minded man and a Democrat. He 
accumulated a comfortable property, possess- 
ing at one time six hundred acres of land. 
He was the father of seven children, all of 
whom lived to be over sixty years old. John 
McDonald, Jr., a son of the emigrant, was 
born May 23, 1794, on the farm adjoining that 
on which the subject of this sketch now re- 
sides. In 1826 he purchased the old home- 
stead, which contained at that time one 
hundred and forty-six acres. To this he 
added fifty acres in 1832 and ten more in 
1840. He was energetic and industrious, and 
died February 16, 1870, having been an at- 
tendant at the Presbyterian church, of which 
his wife Jane was a member. She was born in 
Stamford, December 26, 1794, and died Sep- 
tember 9, 1887. John McDonald, Jr., was a 
Democrat, and represented that party in the 
legislature in 1845, serving one term. He 
held the office of Supervisor for nearly twenty 
years, was a Justice of the Peace, Assessor, 
and Superintendent of the Poor, and also 
occupied other minor offices. He was pro- 
foimdly respected and honored throughout the 
town where he resided, and for the welfare of 
which he was ever ready to lend a helping 
hand. Of his four children but one is now 
living, James, the subject of this biography. 
Isabelle Ann, Mrs. Daniel Andrews, died 
when forty years of age. John Grant died in 
New York City at the age of fifty-three, and 
Alexander T., aged thirty-three years. 

James McDonald was born July 24, 1826, 
grew up to farm life, attending the district 
school, and later Hobart Academy. After 
his education was completed, he took up his 
residence with his parents, for whom he pro- 
vided in their declining years. He is now the 
possessor of the old homestead, which he has 
increased by fifty acres, it now containing two 
hundred and sixty acres. 

September 14, 1857, Mr. McDonald mar- 
ried Miss Mary E. Howard, a native of Gil- 
boa, Schoharie County, where she was born 
April 2, 1835. Her father was David S. 
Howard, a hotel proprietor and farmer, who 
married Miss Sally Knapp; and both of her 
parents are now dead. Mrs. McDonald died 



February 3, 1889; and Mr. McDonald was 
again married March 5, 1890, to Miss Amy 
E. Wilbur, who was born in Unadilla, Otsego 
County, a daughter of Marcus and Hannah 
(Sherwood) Wilbur, both of whom have passed 
away. Mr. McDonald has two children: 
John Grant McDonald, born March 23, 1859, 
is at present an undertaker and furniture 
dealer of Owego, Tioga County. James How- 
ard McDonald, who was born August 6, 1868, 
is unmarried and lives at home. 

Mr. McDonald is a member of the Episco- 
pal church at Hobart, and his wife is a 
Baptist. Like his father, he supports the 
Democratic party, and has served as Assessor 
for several years. He carries on a most pro- 
ductive farm, keeping forty head of grade cat- 
tle, disposing of the milk in New York City. 
His home is a delightful one, and is sought 
by many who claim his friendship. 

The reader will turn with interest to the 
portrait of Mr. McDonald, who is a true 
gentleman of the old school, courteous, intel- 
ligent, and upright, a representative citizen of 
the town of which he has been a life-long 
resident, and where he is highly esteemed. 




ENRY E. BARTLETT, M.D., was 
a man of talent and great executive 
ability, who not only did much to 
promote the prosperity of the town 
of Walton, of which he was an adopted citi- 
zen, but made his influence felt for good 
throughout the county. By appointment of 
President Cleveland he held here for some 
years the position of Medical Examiner. He 
died on January 3, 1892. 

Dr. Bartlett was born at Northampton, 
Mass., June 11, 18.06. He took his college 
course at Amherst, and then pursued his 
medical studies as he had opportunity, teach- 
ing school in the mean time to defray his 
expenses. After receiving his degree in 
medicine, he was induced by friends to settle 
in Walton. It is said that he reached this 
place with a very small sum in his pocket. 
He was received with the utmost friendliness, 
and shortly began to identify himself with the 
interests of the place. The following para- 
graphs are quoted from a brief sketch of his 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIFIW 



38s 



carcLT tliat appeared some time since in llie 
local ])ress : — 

"In five years' time he went aj^ain to New 
York, but returned to Walton in 1849. At 
that time negotiations were on foot concerning 
the I'.rie Railroad, ami Dr. Bartlett was in- 
vited to confer with Governor I"'illniore and 
his staff at Dunkirk in regard to the proposed 
route. It was decided to put the roail through 
Hancock, and at Dr. Bartlett's suggestion 
and by his influence a provision was [ilaced 
in the charter to the effect that all trains 
should stop at that station. He was clear- 
sighted enough to foresee the running of fast 
through exiM-csses, and to his wisdom we owe 
tiie conveniences of travel on the Erie which 
are open to this section of the country. 

"The ne.xt project of interest in which he 
engaged was the building of the plank road 
from Walton to Hancock, tiiereby making a 
quick and easy journey to the railroad. Of 
such importance, and yet of such difficulty, 
was this project considered that John Alver- 
son, a resident of Carpenter's Eddy, remarked 
that he thought he could die in satisfaction if 
the plank road were a success. Dr. Bartlett 
was the heart and soul of the movement; and, 
when the interest of the people began to flag 
and the plan seemed likely to be abandoned, 
he conceived the idea of inviting Horace 
Greeley to make an address on the subject; 
and at the same time he himself made a 
speech in which he said, if God would bless 
him, he would some time get a railroad 
through Walton. The plank road was a suc- 
cess, and to Dr. Bartlett is due the credit. 

"In 1852 he was elected to the Senate, re- 
ceiving the entire vote of this town. Eor 
some years he had been greatly interested in 
.State railroads, and, while in the .Senate, was 
made Chairman of the Railroad Connnittee, 
and was appointed, together with J. W. Mc- 
Alpine. State Engineer and .Surveyor, to 
examine all the railroads in New York State. 
Their re])ort w'as so able and so complete that 
the London Tunes made flattering mention of 
it. In addition to this, it was at the sugges- 
tion of his committee that the State Board of 
Railroad Commissioners was createti. 

"It is said that the busiest people have 
the most time, and it has certainlv been so in 



Dr. Bartlett's case. Along with his railroad 
concerns, he served as one of the committee to 
locate Central Park in New York, and was 
appointed liy Governor Seymour as Health 
Officer in that city from 1854 tf) 1856. Dur- 
ing these years he had never lost sight of his 
desire to have a railroad through this town, 
and he was at the outset one of the organizers 
of the New York, Ontario & Western. His 
])ersonal influence and the money he invested 
were the means of putting the railroad through 
Walton, necessitating the zigzag, instead of 
through Delhi, where no such arrangement 
was neetled. Thus by his efforts the town 
entered upmi tlie most imixirtant era in its 
history. Dr. Bartlett's career was an emi- 
nently useful and successful one. Not only 
did he rank high in his [jrofession of medi- 
cine, but his talents and executive ability 
placed him at the head of enterprises whicli 
many others, as well as the town of Walton, 
will always hold in grateftd acknowledg- 
ment." 




I.Bl-lRI' II. SblWI'J.L, the Judge and 
.Surrogate of the County of Delaware, 
was born in Ilamden, on the thir- 
tieth da)- of October, 1847. He 
preixired for cnllege at the Walton Academy, 
and went to L'nion in 1867. At the end of 
his first year he entered C^)rnell University, 
and graduated in the class of 1871. In 1873 
he graduated at the Albany Law .School, was 
admitted to the l)ar, and entered upon the 
])ractice of his profession at .Sidney Centre, 
N.Y. He continued to be so engaged until 
1S77, when he was elected member of Assem- 
bly. At the end of his term he returned to 
Walton, and devoted himself closel)' and suc- 
cesslull}- to the [iractice of law until 1889, 
when he was calleil to his prese'ut sphere of 
honor and usefulness. 



OMER CHANDLER BURGIN is a 

highly honored citizen of the town 
of Bovina, Delaware Count\-, X.\'.. 
and (jue of the few old residents 
who remain in the town to tell the tale of 
early ])rivations. He has a beautiful home 




386 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



and a fine farm, and is all together a ynod 
sj^ecimen of manhood. He was born in 
Andes on the last day of April, iSiS, when 
Monroe's wise Presidency was casting oil 
upon the troubled waters of political strife. 
His grandfather Burgin, after having fought 
in the Revolution, became a pioneer farmer 
in Delhi, but did not live long to occupy his 
farm ; for he died at the age of fifty. 

He had a son named Chandler Burgin, a 
Massachusetts-born man, who married Pru- 
dence Ilollister, a Connecticut woman, the 
daughter of David Hollister, who also was a 
Revolutionary soldier, so that our subject can 
boast of two grandfathers who took part in the 
patriotic struggle. The Hollisters came early 
to Delaware County, settling on the banks of 
the Little Delaware River. Chandler Burgin 
was born December 7, 1789, when Washing- 
ton was beginning his Presidency; and his 
wife was three years his senior, having been 
born May 27, 1786, before any President had 
been elected or the thirteen colonies were 
fairly organized into a nation. Chandler 
Burgin came to Delaware County in his young 
manhood, and all his life followed his trade 
as a carpenter and wheelwright in Andes; but 
he also owned a small farm. Though a very 
industrious man, his health was poor; and he 
could never acquire riches. He and his wife 
reared six children, of whom the only one 
now living is Homer, who is the special sub- 
ject of this biography. The father died De- 
cember 17, 1830, aged only forty-one; but 
the mother outlived him a score of years, not 
passing away till 1850, October 13, when she 
was sixty-four. They were liberal in their 
religious views, sympathizing with free theo- 
logical thought; and Mr. Burgin was a Demo- 
crat. Their children were the following: 
Bryan Hollister Burgin, who was born June 
4, 181 1, died in October, 1893, aged eighty- 
two, and was a carpenter and millwright in 
Andes, like his father; Mary Ann Burgin, 
who was born May 21, 18 14, married Charles 
I.. Judsf)n, and died March 26, 1883, aged 
sixty-nine; Laura Olivia Burgin, who was 
born March 18, 18 16, became the wife of 
Lewis Moore, and died May 22, 1877, aged 
sixty-one; Homer C. Burgin, who was the 
fourth child; Charles Marcus Burgin, a car- 



penter, who was born August 19, 1820, re- 
sided in Delhi, and died June 28, 1847, 'igec' 
only twenty-seven ; JCmily Maria ]?urgin, who 
was born May 5, 1824, and died single, June 
22, 1887, aged sixty-three. 

Homer C. Burgin grew up, as might be 
expected from his environment, working hard 
and attending the district school when he 
could. He was only fourteen when he began 
self-support. The first year he earned thirty 
dollars at farming, but proved to be so capable 
that the next year he received fifty dollars. 
Then he went to Delhi, where he learned 
blacksmithing with Charles L. Judson, with 
whom he remained a year. By this time he 
was seventeen, and went to Bovina Centre to 
work at his trade, remaining there another 
year, after which he tried farming again. 
Mr. Burgin had less than ninety acres of land 
at the outset, but now has a hundred and five, 
which afford support to sixteen cattle. He 
can remember the early days, when his father 
shot three deer in one afternoon, and there 
was plenty of game to be had ; and he can 
recall the erection of Landon's mill, one of 
the first in this vicinity. He has lived to see 
great changes, many the result of his own 
efforts; for he has greatly improved his place, 
and can spend his latter days in well-merited 
retirement. 

In 1849, on February 5, when over thirty 
years old, he was married to Amanda Cornelia 
Seacord, a native of Bovina, where she was 
born April 4, 1831. Three years later, in 
1852, he bought the estate where he has ever 
since resided. His wife dying on March 3, 
1868, at the age of thirty-seven, Mr. Burgin 
was again married, in 1872, April 10, to 
Mary S. Seacord, an aunt by marriage of his 
first wife; but she only lived in wedlock 
eleven years, dying March 26, 1883. P'urther 
records of the Seacord family may be found 
under the proper heading in other sketches. 
Mr. Burgin's cliildrcn were borne by his first 
wife. The eldest, Olivia Jane Burgin, born 
March 20, 1850, is now Mrs. Liddle, and 
lives in Andes village. Charles Edward Bur- 
gin, born on the last day of September, 1859, 
lives on the homestead. Mary Emily Burgin, 
born August 29, 1862, married Frank Elliott, 
and lives in the town of Delhi. 



lUOGRAPHlCAL REVIEW 



3S7 



Both Mr. and Mrs. ]Uiri;iii arc nicinl)cis of 
the Mcthotlist l^piscoi^al (.lunch in IJovina 
Centre, wlicrcof he has liccn a Trustee and 
Steward. In politics Mr. ]UiiL;in is a decidcil 
Republican. He has been three \ears Asses- 
sor and three years Hii^hway Commissioner, 
and for twenty year.s has held the honorable 
office of Justice of Peace. In ai^riculture he 
has been very successful, esiiecially in his 
dairy, his cows sometimes averaging three 
hundred and five pounds of butter per head 
yearly, besides what is needed for family use. 
Of his career it may be said in the language 
of the luiglish poet, I'.dward Young: — 

■■The piirjjoso tinii is L'(|ual to tlic docd. 
Who dot's tlic best his circumstance allows 
Does well, acts iioblv ; aiiiiels could do no more" 



K;. \VI-:SLI-:Y GOULD, a proml- 
lent member of the Delaware County 
bai', a patriotic and influential citi- 
zen of the town of Hancock, was 
born here on August 25, i <S44, son (if John 
and Mary (Gillard) (ioukl. John (iould was 
a native of Devonshire, Dngland, and with 
his wife and three children came to this coun- 
try about 1S34. He was a stone-mason, and 
worked at his trade for some time at New- 
burg on the Hudson, whence, in 1S4J, In- 
removed to Hancock, having exchanged his 
Xewbiu'g property for a large tract in this 
new settlement. The journey was matle over- 
land on an o.\ sled, and the nights were passed 
in the woods. This was severe ex|)erience, 
especially as he had his family with him. 
including a three-months-old bah_\'. .After 
reaching his destination, he began his |)ionecr 
life by erecting a log cabin, and then pro- 
ceeded to clear the land. Mr. Gould also 
found op])orlunity for the exercise of his 
trade, being emplo)ed on tin.' stone-work of 
the liric Railroad bridges, and also at Lacka- 
waxen. He was killed b\- a log while at 
work in a saw-mill, and died Januar)- 20, 
1S52, at the age of forty-eight, when he was 
just rising into jiromiiience in his business, 
and had been found to be a most useful man 
in the community. 

The part of the town in which he li\ed 
has been alwavs known as the Gould -Settle- 



ment. He and his wife were among the 
leading members of the Methodist I-4)iscoj)al 
church. Mrs. Gould died six years later than 
her husband, leaving the ftd lowing famil)': 
John \\'., a farmer anil lumberman in Han- 
cock; George, an extensive hmiberman and 
mill-owner at Long luldy, .Sullivan Coimty; 
Hannah, wife of Mar\'in W. Thomas, a farmer 
of Hancock, who died in 1888; Jarnes, a lum- 
berman, fainter, carpenter, and builder, living 
tir)w in California; William, a farmer and litm- 
ber merchant at Gould .Settlement; Richard a 
farmer and Itimberman, also at (jould .Setlle- 
metit ; Henry, a iloctor, who died of apo])lexy; 
Charles \\'., a metnber of Com[xiny I, Third 
Regiment. .Sickles's Brigade, who dic-d in the 
army at Camp Wool, Md., in 1S62; and Wes- 
ley Gould, the subject of this biography. 

Wesley in his \'oung days attended the dis- 
trict school; and after the death of the parents 
the brothers still lived on in the old home 
with their sister as housekeeper, the family 
remaitiitig together until the breaking out of 
the war. Then all the brothers enlisted ex- 
ce])t John, who b\' nuitital consent was ap- 
])ointed to sta\' at home and attend to the 
affairs ot the place, while the others went 
forth to fight for their coinitr)-. At this time 
Weslev Gotild was a \outh of seventeen; but 
he look his place in the ranks of the brave 
bo\'s in blue, and was engaged in some of the 
fiercest fighting and suffered sotiie of the worst 
privations of the four years that followed, try- 
ing to the utmost the mettle and endurance of 
mature nii'ii. 

He enlisted in Se]itembcr, 1S61, in Cotn- 
pan\' I', ■■"ort\-fifth l'enns\l\-ania Volunteers, 
at Harrisburg. They were first sent to I-"or- 
tress Monroe, and then to Otter Island, where 
they stayed all winter, and in June, 1862, 
went to James Island, and into the midst of 
the fighting. Afterward joining the Arm)- of 
the rotomac, they engaged in the Maryland 
campiiign. At South Mountain .Mr. Gould 
reeei\'ed a ginishnt wotmd in his arm, btit con- 
tinued with his regiment, ami with them went 
into the battle of Antietam, where he was 
struck by a shell. With admirable fortitude 
he still bore his wotmds without corii])laint. 
and engagetl with his regiment iti the battle 
at I-"redericksburg, December, 1862. Thev 



388 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



were besieged at Knoxville, Tenn., and, after 
much hard fighting and being nearly starved, 
repulsed the *'rebs, " who made a final as- 
sault on their entrenchments. The brave 
Union men were at last relieved by Sherman, 
and went into camp at Blaine's Crossroads, 
where the regiment re-enlisted, and, as a regi- 
ment, came home on furlough. They went 
back into the Virginia campaign under 
Grant, their rendezvous being at Annapolis, 
Md., where the regiment was recruited, and 
went through the campaign, from the Wilder- 
ness to Petersburg. Mr. Gould worked in the 
tunnel of the mine in front of Petersburg and 
helped to lay the powder to blow up the 
works. The Forty-fifth Regiment was already 
reduced to about one hundred men ; and after 
the battle, wliich was a hand-to-hand fight, only 
thirty-three men were able to report for duty. 

In the company to which Mr. Gould be- 
longed there were nine men who went into 
the fight in front of Petersburg at the spring- 
ing of the mine, anil all were killed or 
wounded except two, Mr. Gould being one of 
those two in condition to go on duty. On 
September 30, 1864, Mr. Gould was taken 
prisoner at Poi^lar .Spring Church, and for a 
short time was confined in Libby Prison, 
whence he was taken to -Saiisbur)', N.C., 
where he was detained till March, 1865. In 
the prison cell Mr. Gould underwent the 
harshest treatment, often being three or four 
days without food or water, and seeing his 
comrades dying about him, sometimes seventy 
or eighty in a day; and, as their emaciated 
forms were carried from the prison, those who 
were left felt that perhaps the sun, which was 
now setting, might look to-morrow upon their 
forms enwrapped in a last sleep. It was truly 
a dreadful life, and happy were the survivors 
when paroled and allowed to their respective 
commands. Mr. Gould was at that time Sec- 
ond Lieutenant; and his four years of hard 
service for his countr)' had changed the boy 
into a man, and a man of true courage and of 
a noble character, wrought in the forge of a 
terrible struggle for liberty. 

Mr. Gould's brother Richard was in Com- 
pany G, One Hundred and Forty-third Regi- 
ment. James, William, George, and Henry 
were in Company !•", One Hundred and Forty- 



fourth Regiment. Shortly after his return 
from the war Mr. Gould pursued a course of 
study at Colgate Institute, whence he came 
back to Hancock, and for a while carried on 
lumbering and farming. Having decided to 
adopt the legal profession, he here began to 
read law, and afterward was graduated from 
the law department of Union University, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1884. Since 
that time he has practised law in Hancock 
with eminent success. On August 25, 186S, 
Mr. Gould married Pamelia Brazie, daughter 
of Abram and Nancy (Livingstone) Brazie, 
now of Hancock, but formerly of Schoharie 
County. They have two children: Cora B., 
now attending Oneonta Normal School; and 
Flora B., a teacher in Hancock Union School. 
Mr. Gould is a stanch Republican, and a 
man of strong influence in his party. He has 
been Village Clerk and corporation attorney 
since 1888, and was elected a member of the 
Assembly for Delaware County in 1893 by a 
plurality of one thousand five hundred and 
twelve, running sixty ahead of his ticket in 
the county, and over one hundred ahead in his 
own town. All the family are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, as were their 
parents before them; and they are active in 
all that concerns the welfare of the parish. 
Mr. Gould is a man of high moral principle, 
a well-read lawyer, a citizen of good judg- 
ment in affairs, well adapted to fill positions 
of trust and responsibility, as true a patriot 
now as when in high-hearted youthhood he 
bravely dared the dangers of battle and camp 
and weary march, that his native country 
might be preserved as the 

'■ Land of the noble free." 




ENRV H. HUME, a well-known 
farmer, residing on Scotch Moun- 
L9 I tain, near Delhi, Delaware County, 

N.Y., was born on the high seas 
off the coast of Newfoundland, July 24, 1830, 
and is the son of Adam and Jane (Scott) 
Hume. The father was a native of Scotland, 
where he was brought up as a shepherd boy, 
and came to America with his wife and three 
children, Henry being born on the voyage 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



.589 



out. He first settled at I'lattckill in Miiiflle- 
town, where lie took up a tract of land, but left 
this place in a short time for Delhi, where he 
ownei! a farm, upon which he lived a number 
of years, afterward selling it, and retiring to 
15inghamton, where he tlied at the ai;e ol 
ei,i;hty-si.\ years. Mrs. Hume was distantly 
related to (ieneral Scott. .She was the mother 
of five children, namel\-: Walter: Agnes, the 
wife of John Atkin, a farmer of Delhi; Janet, 
the wife of Geoi'ge Laidlow, also a farnu-r of 
Delhi; Henry 11. ; and Mary. Mrs. Hume 
resided with her son until her death, which 
occurred when she was eighty-one years of age. 

Henry H. Hume spent his boyhood da\s in 
Delhi, where he attended the district schools. 
He worked on a farm b\' the month, and at 
the age of twenty-five liired a farm for three 
years, afterward ]iurchasing a small farm on 
the Little Delaware. He |-emained here for 
eight years, meeting with gi'eat success in his 
undertaking. .At the end of this period he 
ptu'chased his ])resent placi,'. and has to-day a 
fine farm of two hundred and sixty acres, and 
a dairy of some fort\' cows, besides a large 
number oi shee]). lie makes a S])ecialty of 
the manufacture of line battel', with which he 
supplies the New \'ork ami local markets, tLUMi- 
ing out about three hundred [xiunds per week. 

Mr. Hume was married in 1S56 to Eliza- 
beth Ann Douglass, a daughter of William 
and Margaret (Robson) Douglass. Mr. Doug- 
lass was a prominent farmer of Meredith, 
where he resided for manv }'ears. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hume have five children, namely: 
William ])., of Box'ina; llenr\' .S., a farmer: 
Robert H.. a car|ienler: Walter A.: and 
James. Mr. Hume is a member of the 
Grange at DeLance\-. Jn ])<ilitics he is a 
Republican, ami cast his first \'ote for (ieneral 
Scott on the Whig ticket. Both he and his 
wife have been active membei's of the .Scotch 
Presb)terian church for man\' \'ears, he hav- 
ing been a Trustee of the church, antl also 
one of the lUiilding C(mimittee when it was 
erected. He is one of the most successful 
farmers in the county, and is essentially a 
self-maile man, whose earnestness of purpose 
and strict integritv have jilaced him in his 
present position, and gained liim the esteem 
and respect of his associates. 




RS. SYLVIA VAAZA i'OOri;, ,,t 
the village of l-"ianklin, \.Y., is 
the estimable widow of Russell 
I-'oote, a |)rominent gentleman 
who died in this town, January' 26, 1883, at 
tile age of se\ent\-two. He was born in the 
same town, and was a son of h^lias i'oote, who 
came hither from Connecticut with his bride, 
.Sally 'j'racey, in 1806, and in com])any, also, 
with his bi'other, Russell ]'"oote. Here was 
born their son in 1810, and named after his 
uncle Russell; but, while he was very young, 
tlu' family removed to the town of Otsego in 
the county of the same name. Tiiey had four 
sons ;nid two daughters, as follows, the hus- 
band of the subject of this sketch being the 
eldest. David Loote lives in I'"ranklin, as 
does his sistei', l^sther Foote. Asa l'"oote is 
no longer living, but his hrtjther I",/ekiel is in 
North I-'ranklin. Jane Sylvia h'oote and her 
sister, Lois J., who married Jonathan l-"itch, 
are deceased. The father, Llias I'oote, died 
in North h'ranklin, in 1855, at the ripe age 
of eighty-eight, a well-iireser\'ed and vigorous 
man; atid his disconsolate wife followed him 
\ in eighteen months, ageil seventy-six. In re- 
' ligion thev were consistent I'^ree Will Hap- 
lists: and the\ were worthx', steadfast, 
laborious ])ioneers in this region, where 
money was scant, but work jilentiful. 

Tlu- molher's maiden name was .Sylvia 
Lli/a LnW'laiid. .She was horn in i8jo, in 
h'ranklin, tlie daughter of iiiaijamin K. and 
Clarissa (MannJ Lox'eland. Mother Loveland 
was from Connecticut; but I'"ather Loveland 
was born in l'"ranklin, though his jiarents also 
i-ame from Connecticut. The grandfather w-as 
.AbnL'r Loveland. He was elected one of the 
town officers at the second town meeting ever 
held in the place, and died in 1799, about the 
same time as the Father of his country. His 
son, Henjamin K., Mrs. F'oote's father, was 
born in 1793, and dietl in 1831, aged only 
thirty-eight. His widow outlived him thirty- 
se\'en }'ears, (.lying in i868, aged seventv-six; 
and they both rest in the churchyard. They 
had one son and four daughters, Mrs. F'oote 
being the eltlest of the girls. Her sister, 
Althea Loveland, died in her _\-outh, while at 
the norm:d school in Albany. Clarissa was ;i 
teacher, and died in 1869, in middle life. 



390 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Rachel m;iiricd S. A. Wheat, and lives in 
Franklin. Abner B. married Rachel A. 
Chambers, and both are deceased. 

Mrs. Sylvia E. Foote is a member of the 
Congregational church, to which her husband 
also" belonged. They lost one son, Albert 
Loveland Foote, who died unmarried on Janu- 
ary 3, 1872, in early manhood, aged only 
twenty-six, having been a farmer and school- 
master; for the art of teaching seemed to run 
in the family. Mrs. Foote has two daughters 
living. Augusta taught school before her 
marriage, but is now the widow of Marshville 
Gibbons, of Franklin, and has a boy and three 
girls. The other daughter, Frances A., who 
married Austin Jacobs, is an accomplished 
lady, living with her mother. She has a son 
eight years old, who lives in Trout Creek. A 
woman so bereaved as Mrs. Foote can realize 
the truth of what was said by old Thomas 
Fuller: — 

"The good widow's sorrow is no storm, but 
a still rain. Commonly it comes to pass that 
that grief is quickly emptied that streameth 
out at so large a vent, whilst their tears that 
but drop will hold running a long time." 

Further particulars as to the Foote family 
may be found in the sketch of Mr. David 
Foote in this volume. 




R. EDWARD C. HUCHINS, den- 
tist, one of Roxbury's best-known 
citizens, is descended from an old 
I'^nglish family. His grandfather 
was an English farmer, who came to this 
country early in its history to try the soil of 
the "new West." After a long life of profit 
and usefulness he passed away, and was laid 
to rest beneath the sod of his adopted country. 
His wife survived him and lived to the ex- 
traordinary age of one hundred and four years. 
At the age of seventy-five she was stricken 
with blindness, and for nearly thirty years 
lived shut out from the glories of the outer 
world, consoled only by the added insight 
which comes in such cases into the realms of 
meditation. But, strange to say, just before 
her death, her sight returned; and she was 
able once more to read. The closing hours of 
a day of clouds and darkness were flooded with 



sunset glow, a beautiful fulfilment of the 
prophecy, "At eventide there shall be light." 

Stephen C. Huchins, father of the Doctor, 
was born and grew up in Harpersfield, Dela- 
ware County, N.Y. His wife, Martha Rice, 
was a sister of John Rice; and they were 
grandchildren of Henry and Agnes Harper, 
who belonged to a noted family of early set- 
tlers. Henry Harper died at the age of 
eighty-five years. Stephen C. Huchins lived 
during much of his life in Otsego County, 
where he followed the trade of carpenter. 
His death was a sad and tragic one. When 
sixty years old, he was run over and killed by 
the cars at Buffalo, N.Y. Mrs. Martha 
Huchins survived her husband many years, 
and died October 17, 1887, at the age of 
eighty-three, having lived to see her nine 
children grown up and well settled. Three of 
these — Samuel, William Henry, and Charles 
— she sent to the defence of the Union in our 
late war. William Henry entered the army 
in 1862, and fought well until the battle of 
the Wilderness in 1863, when he was taken 
prisoner and died in captivity. Charles was 
discharged after the close of the war. Samuel 
served until 1864. He lost his right arm in 
battle, and only survived the storm a year or 
two, dying in 1867. 

Edward C. Huchins was born in Davenport, 
Delaware County, September 29, 1834. He 
received his early education in the district 
schools; and, when thirteen years of age, he 
obtained work upon a farm. He was not a 
very robust lad, and of course not able to do 
a man's work; but he earned three dollars a 
month when he began, and soon raised that to 
five dollars, large pay for a boy in those days. 
Thus he spent his youth and young manhood, 
learning those invaluable lessons which the 
discipline and hardy toil of farm life impart. 
After nine years, desiring a change, he moved 
to Hornellsville. His brother Henry was a 
prosperous contractor and builder of that 
town, and Edward went to work with him to 
learn the carpenter's trade. He followed this 
occupation until 1851, when he went to 
Coopcrstown, and studied dentistry. After 
careful preparation at that place, in 1858 he 
set up for himself in Meredith. He had a 
good practice there, and stayed four years. 



BlOGRArillCAL REVIEW 



s'U 



Finally ho came to Ruxlniry, and on April j, 
1861, opened an office opposite tiie hotel. 
Here his courtesy and skill soon won tor him 
the patronage of the surrountliny; country, and 
built up a profitable Inisiness. 

Soon after his arrival Dr. lluchins met 
]\Iiss Mary McGarry, daughter of Daniel W. 
McGarry, who was for a long time well known 
in Ro.xbury as a tailor. This lady he mar- 
ried: and they had two children — Minnie 
and l-"reddie. Minnie was born December 13, 
1864, and married Andrew Hess. She is now 
living in Roxbury, anti has two children. 
Freddie, a lad of fifteen, lives at home. Mrs. 
Marv Huchins was a Methodist, and died in 
that faith, June 19, 18S5. The Doctor mar- 
ried for liis seconil wife Prudence Thorpe, 
daughter of William and Mary Thorpe, who 
came frt)m Harpersfield. Mr. Thorpe lived 
here until his death, at the age of seventy. 
His wife died when slu' was sixty-five. 

The Doctor still continues liis office busi- 
ness, though he has for the last few years put 
his money into real estate investments of vari- 
ous kinds. His first was in a lot of land on 
which he Iniilt a house, and sold it at a good 
profit. Then he bought a marble business, 
and, after carrying it on for some time with 
success, sold it at an advance. He also 
bought the estate of Mr. Mcdarry, his father- 
in-law, and has remodelled the house and 
made general improvements so that to-da_\- it 
is one of Ro.xbury's finest residences. Dr. 
and Mrs. Huchins live on Main Street, next 
to the post-office. They have a young son, 
Charles E., born Seiitember 7, i88c;. Dr. 
Huchins has well won his place in the re- 
spect and admiration of his fellow-citizens. 




r. iRS. HANNAH ]•:. HORTON, 
widow of Orin O. Horton, whose 
death occurred on his farm at 
Horton, Delaware County, No- 
vember 3, 1886, is a woman of superior intel- 
ligence, ability, and worth. She was born in 
the town of Liberty, Sullivan County, in 
1838, on the farm of her parents. The birth- 
place of her father, C. M. L. Hardenburg, 
was Marbletown, Ulster County, where he 
was reared to maturitv. He married IMary 



iMske, a native of X'ermnut; and in course 
of time twelve children were born into their 
household, of whom four suns and seven 
daughters grew to years of discretion. All ol 
tiiese are now living except one son, Jonathan 
liardenl)urg, who died in 1890. aged forty 
years. Mrs. Hardenburg, who was a most 
comely and attractive woman, lived but a 
little past tifty years, passing to the higher 
life in 1863. Her widowed husixind survived 
her more than a c|uarter of a century, and died 
at Cook's Falls in this county, in 1892, of 
old age, having lived on this earth eighty- 
seven years. Mrs. Hardenburg was a devoted 
member of the Presbyterian church, and most 
of her children have espoused the faith in 
which they were reared. 

Hannah 1'.. Hardenlnirg Horton, being one 
of the large family of childiX'U born in the 
farm-house home, was necessarily kept busily 
employed there most of the time in her girl- 
hood, a good deal of Iier attention being given 
to the care of the younger members of the 
family. Her parents were in humble circum- 
stances, unable to give their offspring other 
educational advantages than afforded by the 
district scho(ds. She became thoroughly ac- 
quainted with domestic affairs, anil before 
the time of her marriage fully com[)etent to 
discharge the duties of a home-maker. On 
December 12, 1862, she became the wife of 
Orin O. Horton, a promising young agricult- 
urist, who was born in the town of Hnrtnn 
in 1S34. 

David Horton. the father ot Orin, was a 
native of Delaware County, born in the year 
1796, a son of John and Sarah (Hagar) Hor- 
ton. David Horton was twice married, his 
first wife bearing him but one child, a daugh- 
ter. His second wife was Ilulda Rediker, of 
Orange County: and of their union eleven 
chiUhen were born, seven sons and four 
daughters, Orin being the fifth child. His 
grandfather, John Horton, reared a family of 
eight children, five sons and three daughters, 
and, dying in the prime of life, left a good 
record as a useful and influential citizen and 
an honest man. His father, the great-grand- 
father ol Orin O. Horton, was William Hor- 
ton, who will long be remembered as the first 
ludge of Delaware County. He married Liz- 



392 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



zie Covert; and, after spending the larger 
part of their wedded life in this county, they 
died at their home in Downsville, and their 
remains were laid side by side in the rural 
cemetery of that place. 

Orin O. Horton was a brave soldier in the 
late Civil War, having responded to his coun- 
try's call for volunteers in 1861, going to the 
front as Sergeant of Company L, in the Fifty- 
sixth Regiment of the New York Volunteer 
Infantry. One year later he was discharged 
for physical disability, and returned to his 
home in Horton, where all but three years of 
his married life were spent. In addition to 
general farming, Mr. Horton was a dealer in 
lumber, rafting his lumber down the river to 
the most desirable markets. At his death he 
left a farm of one hundred acres; but his 
widow subsequently removed to the village of 
Walton to give her younger children better 
facilities for obtaining an education, and to 
make a home for her older children. Of the 
seven children living at the time of Mr. Hor- 
ton's decease, the youngest was then but one 
year old ; and to the welfare of these sons and 
daughters Mrs. Horton has faithfully devoted 
herself. One son, Linford, preceded his 
father to the silent land, dying at the age of 
two years. The record of the remaining chil- 
dren is as follows: Belle, the wife of Will- 
iam Couch, of Horton, a prosperous merchant, 
has two children. Fred, a resident of Mid- 
dletown. Orange County, where he is in the 
employment of the railway company, has a 
wife and three sons. Alvin and Elvin, twin 
brothers, now twenty-three years old, arc flag- 
men on the Midland Railway. H. Millard, a 
photographer, lives at home. Laura, a young 
lady of fourteen years, is in school, and has a 
very good record for scholarship. Orin Ray- 
mond, now in his ninth year, is an unusually 
bright and promising student, often excelling 
liis classmates. 



I'.RT S. SEWELL, a well-known 
and highly respected lawyer and 
real estate dealer, residing in the 
village of Walton, was born at 
Colchester, Delaware County, N.Y., May 7, 
1852, and is the son of Daniel R. and Jane 




(JohnsonJ) Sewell. The former was a carpen- 
ter and builder by trade, and was engaged in 
the erection of a large number of the houses 
in Colchester. Later in life he moved from 
Colchester to Sidney, this county, where he 
died at the age of seventy-four. Mrs. Sewell 
was the daughter of Henry Johnson, a native 
of Ireland. .She was born in America, and 
lived with her parents at Colchester, they set- 
tling there during its infancy. Mr. and Mrs. 
Johnson were the parents of the following- 
named family: Barney, John, Henry, Ann, 
Catherine, Abby, Mary, and Jane. With the 
exception of Ann and Henry, all are living at 
the present time. Mr. and Mrs. Sewell had 
six children; namely, Anna, Tryphenia, 
Cecil, Maria, Hubert S., and Henry. 

Hubert S. Sewell spent his early years in 
the town of Colchester, where he attended the 
high school. He then studied law with Mr. 
W. F. White, and spent one year at the Al- 
bany Law School. In 1880 he was admitted 
to the bar at Albany, and began practice at 
Sidney Centre, where he remained for two 
years, and then came to Walton, where he 
does a large and successful business in real 
estate, besides attending to his law practice. 
Mr. Sewell was married in June, 1889, to 
Miss Ella Bramley, a daughter of Miles Bram- 
ley, now a resident of Walton. Mr. Sewell 
is a member of Walton Lodge, No. 559, 
A. V. & A. M. He was elected Supervisor 
in 1893, being re-elected in 1894, and has 
also been Justice of the Peace for eight years. 
Mr. and Mrs. Sewell attend the Congrega- 
tional church of Walton. Mr. Sewell is in 
the prime and vigor of manhood, and has the 
promise of many years of usefulness in the 
pursuit of his profession, of which he is a 
bright and shining light. 



OHN M. BLISH, Postmaster at Fleisch- 
manns, in Middletown, and a large 
laud-owner and dealer in real estate, 
was born in this town on March i, 
son of Simon and Mary (McKeel) 
His great-grandfather Blish came 
P3ngland, and settled permanently in 
Connecticut. 

His grandfather, Silas Blish, 



1S41, 
Blish 
from 



was born in 




cJoHN M. Blis:i. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



395 



Connecticut, April 17, 1763, :ind there mar- 
ried Hannnh Blish, a native of the same State. 
He came on horseback io Dehiware County, 
and bought fifty acres of wild land. After 
clearing a small portion of it, and Iniilding a 
log cabin, he returned to Connecticut for his 
faniih', and brought them to the new home 
\vliich he had prepared. This estate is now- 
known as Fleischmanns; antl, where Silas 
Hlish looked upon his fields of corn, his great- 
grandchildren now behold stately residences 
-surrounded by well-kept lawns. Only a few- 
families had then ventured into this region, 
where the forest prime\al still sheltered 
l)ears, wolves, panthers, and timid deer. Mr. 
Blish built his log cabin and barn on land 
which is now just iiv front of the John M. 
Blish house, and is crossed by the Ulster & 
Delaware Railroad. The chiklren of Silas 
and Hannah Blish were seven : Katie Blish, 
born -May iS, 1784, married Alpha Townsend. 
and left five children, only one of whom is 
living; Nicholas Blish, born .September iS,- 
1789, married Charity Ferguson, and left four 
children; John ]51ish, born .August 17. 1792, 
married Lucy .-Vcklery, and left five children; 
James Blish, born July 19, 1796, married 
l-^sther Croft, and left three children; Asa 
Hlish, born May 19, 1799, married Katherine 
Kelly, and left six children; Jane Blish, born 
June 2/. 1801, married Trowbridge Mills, ami 
left two children, four having died; Simon 
Blish, born March 22, 181 2, was the father 
of John M. .Silas Blish continued to clear 
his land and work faithfully in his fields, and, 
being a j^rogressive man for his time, became 
l)r-asperous. He was loyal to his couiitry. and 
served as a soldier in the War of 181 2. He 
lived until the great age of ninety-two years; 
but his wife was taken from his side a number 
of years earlier. 

Simon Blish was born on his father's farm, 
and was educated in the district school. On 
reaching riianhood, he bought a farni near 
Delhi, and married Mary A., daughter of 
John and Xaircy (Molineux) McKei-1. In a 
short tinie he sold his newer farm and bought 
the family homestead. He purchased more 
hind, added to the original farm, cleared away 
more of the forest, and in place of the log 
cabin and barn erected comfortable frame 



l)uildings. He had six ciiildren. tliree ol 
whom liveil to grew up. These were: Jolin 
M. Blish, of Fleischmanns; Katherine Blish, 
born in 1844, who married (jeorge Jones, and 
is now- a widow, living at l-"leischmanns : and 
William Horace Blish, born .August 21, 1847, 
who married Fsther Crosby, and is a retired 
farmer at (iriffin"s Corners. .Simon Blish 
liveil to be sixty-three years old, and his wife 
died upwards of fifty. He was in politics a 
Democrat. 

John M. Blish was educated in the district 
school, and earl)' began to work on his father's 
farm. When a young man, he bouglit a neigh- 
boring estate; but he soon sold this property, 
and returned to his ancestral acres, which he 
continued to improve. He married f(jr a first 
wife Jemima Jones, who lived but a short 
time, and left one child, Willie Blish. who 
lived to be but seven years old. His second 
wife was Delia Carrison, daughter of Lewis 
and Marv ( .Scudder) (iarrison. Mr. Garrison 
was a lilacksmith; but after many years spent 
in useful activit)-, being now over eighty 
years of age, he is enJMying a well-earned rest 
at his home in Pennsylvania. He is a Demo- 
crat, and a devoted meniber of the Methodist 
Fpisco|)al church. His wife died several 
years ago. Mrs. Blish has one brother, 
Charles, and three sisters. Charles (iarrison 
marrieil Charlotte Woolhizer. lives in Illi- 
nois, and ihcv have one child. Harriet (iar- 
rison married I-"rank Pierce, has one ciiild, 
and they live in Pennsylvania, retired from 
active business. Libbie (iarrison married 
I'rank Miller, a farm -r in Penns}lvania, and 
has four childien. Lnima (iarrison married 
for her first husband (Oliver Ingraham, who 
died: and she has since married I->.ra Baxter, 
and li\-es in Pennsylvania, having one child. 

After a time Mr. Blisii began to sell off 
portions of the farm in five and ten aci"e lots. 
One of the first sales was to Leopcdd lilair, of 
New York City, who built a beautiful resi- 
dence, laid out tasteful groimds, and then 
sold the estate to Lewis P'leischmann. The 
sales have continued; and the work of im- 
provement has gone on until there are manv 
fine estates bordering on the Ulster & Dela- 
ware Railroad, on what used to be the fdd 
farm. (See sketch headed Carl Herrmann.') 



39^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Mr. Blish has bought several neighboring 
farms, and now owns over two hundred acres 
of land. He has remodelled the homestead, 
converting it into a fine and spacious resi- 
dence. The model stables contain valuable 
horses, and the grounds are laid out with taste 
and elegance. He is general manager for the 
Fleischmann owners, having charge of their 
property and directing all movements for im- 
proving and beautifying their estates, and is 
a man of much executive ability. He is a 
Democrat in politics, and his religious views 
reflect the liberality of his nature and the 
breadth of his intellect. On a neighboring 
page is a portrait of this well-known and en- 
terprising citizen, who is highly esteemed in 
the community for his capabilities and worth. 



(5 1 fTEOPHH.US B. HIGBEE, a success- 
' I ful farmer and dairyman of Stamford, 
-'- is of the sixth generation in direct de- 
scent from Abram Higbee who is said by 
tradition to have emigrated from England 
with two brothers, Charles and John, probably 
about two hundred years ago, settling in the 
south-eastern part of the State of New York, 
and becoming the founders of the Higbee 
family in these parts. In the course of time 
their posterity became numerous on Long 
Island, Manhattan Island, and in Westchester 
County, being large owners of real estate. 
Abram was the father of a large family. One 
of his sons, Anson, the next in the line now 
being considered, was the father of Edwin, 
(icorge, William, and Abram Higbee, second, 
and also Edwin and Will- 
the Revolutionary War. 
second, married Abigail 
in the prime of life, leaving 
small sons, Nathaniel, Will- 



The last named, 
iam, served in 
Abram Higbee, 
Dean, and died 
her with three 



iam, and Oliver, and one daughter. These 
children had some half-brothers, one of whom 
was Jacob Higbee. 

Nathaniel Higbee, son of Abram Higbee, 
second, and his wife Abigail, was born at the 
home of his parents in Westchester County, 
New York, on June 15, 1781. He was about 
eight years old when, in 1789, his widowed 
mother, who was a woman of strong character 
and great practical ability, emigrated with 



her children to Delaware County, and settled 
in Stamford, one of its very earliest pioneers. 
She took up three farms, including about 
eight hundred acres of land; and here she 
lived to a good old age. The land in this 
vicinity was owned in patents; and the in- 
ducements to settle on it were that it was 
offered rent free for seven years, and then at 
one shilling per acre, durable lease. Nathan- 
iel Higbee went back to Westchester County 
in his early teens: and there he became ac- 
quainted with Sarah Brundage, whom he mar- 
ried. He returned with his wife to Delaware 
County in 1806, settling on Rose Brook. A 
sturdy woodsman, weighing over two hundred 
pounds, he cleared a large farm. He was a 
Whig in politics, and liberal in religious 
views. His four children were as follows: 
Charles B., the father of the subject of this 
sketch; Thomas Clapp Higbee, a farmer of 
Stamford, who died when seventy-six years of 
age; John Sherman Higbee, a merchant in 
New York City, who died in his eightieth 
year; Hannah E., who died aged eighty, the 
wife of David P. Bailey. Nathaniel Higbee 
passed away on his farm at the age of ninety- 
one years, his wife Sarah, who was born June 
14, 1781, living to be eighty-nine years old. 
She was an orthodox Quaker, and was related 
to the Clapp and Carpenter families. 

Charles B. Higbee was born in Westchester 
County, March 18, 1803, and came to Stam- 
ford with his parents when but five years of 
age. Owning a portion of the old homestead, 
about three hundred and seventy acres of land, 
he gave his attention to farming, and was one 
of the most prosperous men, engaged in that 
occupation at Rose Brook. He was a Repub- 
lican, and a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church, and died September 27, 1887. 
His wife, Mary Palmer, was born in Middle- 
town, March 4, 1806, and died November 12, 
1884, the mother of five children, namely: 
Hiram T., who was born January 29, 1827, 
and died February 22, 1892, a mechanic and 
resident of Stamford; Sarah E., born May 28, 
1829, and a resident of the old homestead; 
Theophilus B. ; Mrs. Hannah J. Weed, born 
March 27, 1836, now the widow of Hoyt Weed, 
of Oswego County; Charles S., who was born 
March 31, 1838, and died in 1865 in California. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



397 



Theophilus Hiuinl;ii;o Iligbee, son of 
Charles B. and Mary l*. Higbcc, was horn in 
Stamford, April 19, 1831. He received his 
eilucation in the schools of his district, and 
remained at home, assisting on the farm, until 
twenty-six years of age. In 1857 he pur- 
chased the farm which he now occupies, it 
then containing one hundred and ten acres. 
To this he has added from time to time by 
means of his industry and perseverance, and 
now owns two hundred and eighty-five acres. 
Here he is engaged in general farming and 
dairying, keeping twenty head of native cat- 
tle, and producing superior butter. All the 
farm buildings have been improved, and are 
kept in perfect repair; and his residence is 
one of the most beautiful in the town. It is 
situated at the head of a branch of Rose 
Brook, and is furnished with an excellent 
water system, the water for which is brought 
from a never-failing spring on the premises. 
^Ir. Iligbee also has on his grounds a private 
fish-pond, where may be found some fine speci- 
mens of the s])cckletl trout. 

January 5, 1857, lie married Miss Klizaheth 
McPherson, who was born in Stamford, Marcii 
17, 1 83 J, a daughter of James and Alary 
(Yeomans) .McPherson. James McPherson 
was born in New York City, and was a black- 
smith, working at that trade in Delaware 
County throughout his life. He was a mem- 
ber of the Pres!:iyterian church, and a Whig. 
He died in Kortright at the age of se\ent)- 
threc years. His wife, who was a native of 
Delhi, a member of the Alethodist ICpiscopal 
church, died at the age of forty-four years. 
They were the parents of six children, 
namely: Matikia and Mary, residents of 
.Stamford: l*"lizabetli, Mrs. Higbee: ICzekiel, 
a resident of Stamford: Henrietta, who died 
aged sixty years, the wife of Jeremiah Pnitts; 
Janet, who passed away at the age of fifty-two 
years, the wife of (jeorge Hubbill. 

Mr. and .Mrs. Theo[)hilus B. Higbee have 
had three chiklren, one of whom. Mary A., 
born October 9. 1858, died November i, 
18S5. The other two are: I'lffie E., who was 
born November 24, 1862, and resides with her 
parents: and P'annie Y., who was born .Au- 
gust 17, 1S65, and is the wife of Charles 
Policy, residing on the home farm. Mr. and 



Mrs. Higbee are liberal in religious views, 
antl he is a Republican in politics. IK- is a 
very sociable, genial man, who has met with 
evident success in life, and is well kninvn and 
highly esteemed throughout Delaware County. 
.As will be judged from this sketch, he is 
interesteil in the history of his ancestors. 
He indeed comes of good stock, and may well 
revert with pleasure to the fact that the Hig- 
bees, so far back as they have been traced, 
ajipear to have been plain, unassuming people, 
strictly honest and temperate, with never one 
that had to be supported by charity, and none 
ever known to solicit an office. When it is 
added that they are truthful, and generally 
gooti-natured and obliging, enough has been 
said to show them to be kind neigiibors and 
excellent citizens. 




iOI.ONI".!. GEORCK D. WIIEELICR, 
if Laurel Bank Earm, one of the 
% ^. leading agriculturists of Delaware 
County, witlcly known as \'ice- 
President of the Delaware County Dairymen's 
Association and Eirst Vice-Presitient of the 
HoLstein I-'riesian Association of America, 
and as a writer for the papers, is a popular 
and influential resident of Deposit, where he 
was born on June 24, 1S18. On his paternal 
side he is of Welsh extraction. His grand- 
father. William Wheeler, with two brothers, 
James and Jolm, lived at New London, 
Conn. : and their father was a native of 
Wales. The Colonel's father, who was also 
named William, was born in New London, 
May 2. 1774. He married P'leanor Knox, a 
native of Blandford, Mass., born in 1774. a 
lady possessing many excellent qualities of 
heart and mind. William Wheeler, Jr., 
being left almost without a home, when eight 
years old. by the death of his fatlier, went to 
live with I'loger Parks at lilandford, where he 
learned the clothier's trade. In 17*95 he and 
his brothers came to Partridge Island, now in 
the town of Hancock,- Delaware Countv, 
N.\'., and engaged in cutting logs and rafting 
them to Philadelphia. The country was wild 
and new; but these men, [lossessing great 
physical strength and endurance, together 
with a determination and courage that knew 



398 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



no such word as fail, cut down the forests, 
subdued the wild beasts, and overcame every 
obstacle. They were illustrious examples of 
a hardy race of pioneers, and seemed to pos- 
sess the requirements demanded by the situa- 
tion. They excelled also in hunting, and it 
was an unlucky day for any ferocious beasts 
or game when coming within the range of 
their guns. Resides, they would tackle 
single-handed, with club or axe, whenever 
occasion required, either bears or panthers. 
On this occasion, having collected a consider- 
able number of logs, made their raft, and 
started it on its journey, they began to figure 
the probable proceeds to be secured when it 
should arrive at the Philadelphia mills. This 
proved a vain calculation; for the venture was 
unfortunate, the raft being broken up and 
lost. After so much hard work amid such 
surroundings this outcome was a discourag- 
ing feature of the undertaking, and with men 
of less pluck would have ended the effort ; but 
these men were not easily turned from their 
purpose. They went to work with renewed 
energy, and soon had another raft ready for 
transportation, which was safely piloted by 
William to its destination at Philadelphia. 
Of these remarkable brothers, Ebenezer, in 
point of strength and agility, excelled, and 
was widely known as a great wrestler — one 
who never found his equal in that athletic 
sport. William Wheeler continued engaged 
in rafting and lumbering from 1795 until 
1804, when he returned to Rlandford, and 
soon after took to himself a wife, as before 
stated. She was a daughter of Captain Will- 
iam Knox, whose father emigrated from Bel- 
fast, Ireland, in 1737. He was a member of 
the Colonial Assembly of Massachusetts, and 
was a prominent man both in military and 
civic affairs of that time. Mr. and Mrs. Will- 
iam Wheeler removed to Delaware County, 
New York, in 1805. They became the par- 
ents of seven children, namely: Malina, who 
became the wife of Elijah S. Knapp, and after 
his death was married to Henry Smith, a part- 
ner of William B. Ogden, of Chicago — ^she 
died in Deposit in 1892, at the age of eighty- 
eight years; Nelson K., who became Judge of 
Delaware County, and served two terms in the 
Assembly — he was also one of the District 



Judges in New York City, and died in 1880 
at the age of seventy-three years; Betsey, un- 
married, who resides at the old Wheeler 
homestead at Deposit, well advanced in years; 
William French, who was born in 181 1, and 
died in 1892 — he was also a member of the 
Assembly; Truman Hubbell, who was ap- 
pointed one of the Judges of the court for 
Delaware County — he practised law in Delhi 
and in Chicago, 111. — he married Anna Rob- 
erts, a sister of the wife of Judge Amasa J. 
Parker, of Alban}-, and died in 1S60; Addison 
Justin, who died in 1892, was a merchant 
and lumberman, and was also engaged in the 
oil business in Western Pennsylvania — he 
died in 1892, leaving one son; the youngest 
of these children is the one whose name heads 
this sketch. Their mother lived to the age 
of eighty-eight years. Their father died 
when seventy-seven years old. He was a 
remarkable man, and had a reputation for 
honesty and integrity wherever he was known. 
He was a Deacon of the Presbyterian church, 
and one of the original members of that or- 
ganization in Deposit. He was usually known 
as Captain Wheeler, having his title from his 
position in the State militia. 

The birthplace of George D. Wheeler was 
the old Wheeler homestead in Deposit, which 
at that time contained only twenty-five houses, 
so that he has witnessed its development from 
a very small beginning. The lad attended 
the district school, receiving a fair education, 
which was supplemented by a course in the 
Delaware Academy at Delhi. While not in 
school during the years of his boyhood, he 
assisted his father in the lumbering business 
and on the farm. After leaving the academy, 
he engaged with his brother, Addison J., in 
mercantile business at Deposit, the style of 
the firm being A. J. & G. D. Wheeler. They 
dealt in dry goods. and general supplies; and 
Mr. Wheeler was thus engaged in trade at 
the time of the building of the Erie Railway, 
and was present to see the first shovelful of 
earth placed which initiated that great enter- 
prise. Like his illustrious ancestors, he has 
been noted for his agility, strength, and 
courage, having been a particularly fine horse- 
man, being equally at home whether sitting, 
standing, or lying down on the back of a 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



399 



horso, regardless of tlie rate of speed. In his 
voumrer days he eouUl mount a horse of six- 
teen hands in hei,i;lit liy merely placiui;- his 
left hand on the withers — -a feat which he 
actuallv accomplished on his sixtv-first hirtli- 
day. 

Colonel Wheek'r was first married Septem- 
ber 17, 1S45, to Antoinette Downs, who was 
born in Colchester, Delaware County, ?ilay 4, 
1820. By this union there was one dau.^hter, 
also named Antoinette, who is the wife of 
Robert M. C'annon, of Buffalo, and the mother 
of four children — Antoinette, hlleanor, 
Bessie, and Mari;'aret. Colonel Wheeler's 
second wife was ]\Iary W'aterbury, of Middle- 
town, Conn., a daug'hter of the Rev. Daniel 
Watcrbiirx', the foundi-i- nf the Delaware In- 
stitute, and a graduate of Cnion Collei;e and 
of I'rinceton Theological Seminary, and a 
sister of the Hon. Daniel W'aterbury, of M.ir- 
garettville, Delaware County. She died, 
leaving one son, Ceoi'ge \V., who married 
Marv Fisher, daughter of the Rev. James 
Fisher, a Presbyterian minister, ikuv de- 
ceased. Mr. and Mrs. (ieorge W. Wheeler 
have tiiree children — Francis .Atklison, 
Eveline V., and Mary h^>ster. 

The Colonel continued in business with his 
brother for alx.iut six years, and then sold out 
to a Mr. l'"inch, and took up farming. lie 
subsec|uently went to Vermilion County, 
Illinois, and engaged in coal-mining at that 
place, remaining two years, meanwhile keep- 
ing up his farm at Deposit. Returning to 
this place, he h;is remained here since that 
time. He now owns eight hundred acres, and 
is successfully engaged in dairying and gen- 
eral farming. The principal farm is now 
under the title of George D. Wheeler & S(.)n, 
and is called the "Laurel Bank I'arm." 
They do cpiite a business shipping their milk 
to New York City. This farm has something 
of an early Indian historw It is said to have 
been the council place of the Lenni Lenape 
tribe of Indians, an! was their camping, danc- 
ing, and feasting ground in all the last years 
of their stay on the banks of the Delaware 
River. 'Lhe settlement of the Indians in this 
vicinit\' was called by them "Kookose," 
which name, Anglicized, became "Conk 
House," the original name of Deposit. 



Cidonel Wheeler was jjrominent in military 
circles in Broome Count\' and throughout the 
State, having a fine physique and attractive 
military bearing. He joined llie .State in- 
fantr)- <if the .State militia under the appoint- 
ment of C>uarterniaster of the Two Hundred 
antl .Sixty-first Regiment, I)v(iovernor Will- 
iam H. Seward, August 7, 1830- He was 
appointed Adjutant on June 24, i8.-).0, In- the 
same Ciovernor, who, realizing his abilit)', 
commissioned him Lieutenant Colonel on 
April 10, i8.}.i; and on April 18, 1844, he 
was commissioned Colonel bv (Governor Will- 
iam C. Bauck. He continued as Colonel of 
that regiment until the militia was disbanded. 
He was active in raising the first company of 
till' ()iie Huiuh'ed and l'"ort)'-f(jurth New Vovk 
\'olunteer Infantry, which was the first com- 
pan}' organized in Broome and Delaware Coun- 
ties for service in the Civil War of 1861-65. 
He h.is lieen .Supervisor of the town of Tomp- 
kins lor thi'ee or four terms, and of the town 
ol Deposit once. He was in the legislature 
in 1876, and silent a good deal of time on the 
bill relating to assessment and taxation, which 
measure he championed and brought to the 
thii'd reading, although finally defeated. He 
was a very successful legislator, antl worked 
hard for the benefit of his constituency. He 
got a bill through from Binghamton, authoriz- 
ing the ilischarge of an inefficient ;uul irre- 
sjionsilde county of^cial li\- the Fxecutive of 
the State, antl another for the city of New 
York, exempting to a certain extent firemen 
from taxali(ui. He has been a member of 
the Presbyterian church since he was sixteen 
years (dd, and has for thirty-five years been 
Sunday-school superintendent, and is now one 
of the most competent and interesting teacliers 
of the school. Being at once devout and 
social, and of a genial disposition, he is hon- 
orcfl and respected by all. He is a life mem- 
ber of the New York .State Dairymen's 
Association, and has been a frequent and able 
contributor to the leading agricultural jour- 
nals, inclufling the .liiiiriran Af^ricnltiirist, 
Coiiiitrv (i'i-ii//ni/iti/, Biri-tiirs^ (jir:i//i; and 
Oniiii^L- County /'nnnir. He is the V^ice- 
Presideiit of the Delaware (.'ount\' D.airymen's 
Association and the First \'ice-President of 
the Holstein ITiesian Association of America. 



400 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Thus it will be seen that Colonel Wheeler is 
a man of excellent endowments, the holder of 
many talents, which it is evident that he has 
faithfully improved. 



-AMKS KNOX POLK JACKSON is 
naturally a prominent citizen of Mar- 
garetville villa,<;e, in Middletown 
township, Delaware County, being a 
lawyer, and also publisher of the local paper, 
the Utilitarian ; but he is a gentleman who 
would be a marked member of the community, 
whatever his calling. He was born in P^-ank- 
lin, in the same county, on January lO, 1843, 
the very year Daniel Webster concluded the 
famous Ashburton Treaty, and resigned his 
position as Secretary of State in President 
Tyler's cabinet, and the year before James K. 
Polk was elected Tyler's successor. 

The grandfather was Zerah Jackson, whose 
wife was Mary Munger, a descendant, on the 
maternal side, of the Marcy family, being a 
distant relative of Governor William L. 
Marcy. 

Zerah Jackson was born in Litchfield, 
Conn., but located in Franklin, Delaware 
County, in iSio, during Madison's adminis- 
tration. His farm was near the Meredith 
line, one mile east of Croton; and thither 
came he, driving an ox team attached to the 
proverbial wood-shod sled. 

Three brothers, Eldad, Medad, and Zerah, 
came in the same party and settled near each 
other. Zerah Jackson became a fairly suc- 
cessful farmer for those days, and reared a 
useful and persevering cluster of seven chil- 
dren — Erastus, Elias, Amos, James Hervey, 
George W., Aurelia, and Eliza — who all 
lived to maturity. Their father took part in 
the War of 1812 for three months, and lived 
to be sixty-six years old. His widow outlived 
him many years, and reached the ripe age of 
eighty-four, and departed this life confident of 
the saving efficacy of her Baptist faith, hav- 
ing been a real mother in Israel for many 
years. 

Our subject's father, James H. Jackson, 
was born May 8, 1812, just as the last war 
with the mother country broke out. He grew 
to manhood on the home farm, with such 



school advantages as the old-time district 
school afforded. Notwithstanding his meagre 
advantages, his retentive memory, inherited 
from his mother, and his love of books, which 
he read at every opportunity, made him one of 
the best-informed men in his vicinity. 

Self-support began by going to New Jersey, 
and engaging as a notion pedler for about a 
year successfully. He gave up this occupa- 
tion at the earnest solicitation of his parents, 
who needed his strong right arm on which to 
lean, and so induced him to assume charge 
of the old homestead. For the next twenty 
years he was a successful farmer and cattle- 
broker. He married Annis M. Terry, and 
had a patriarchal brood of a dozen capable 
children, minus one, all but two reaching use- 
ful maturity. 

Among the grandfather's children Bible 
names abounded; but James H. Jackson's 
children had more modern titles, though not 
conferred at the christening font, as the par- 
ents did not approve of infant baptism. 
These children were: Mary, born May 11, 
1841; our subject, born January 10, 1843; 
Huldah C; Francis: Julia M.; Annis A.; 
Linus D. ; Emily A.; Orle V. ; Amanda E. ; 
and Laura. 

In 1850 the excitement of the gold discov- 
eries in California induced James H. to sell 
out his farm, intending, like so many others 
of that day, to visit the gold fields. His love 
of home and family finally caused him to re- 
linquish his purpose, and he resumed his old 
occupation of cattle dealer with varying suc- 
cess. Heavy losses caused by the failure of 
others whom he trusted took away the savings 
of a life of toil, and his declining years were 
spent in a modest home provided by his chil- 
dren. He died in 1891, as he had lived, an 
honest man, a kind neighbor, a loving hus- 
band and father — aged seventy-nine years. 
His widow still lives in Franklin. His polit- 
ical proclivities are shown by the fact that he 
named his son James after the successful 
Presidential opponent of Henry Clay in the 
election of 1844, and he held several local 
offices as a Democrat. 

At an exceedingly early period of his youth 
J. K. P. Jackson began to be the architect of 
his own fortunes. Not only did he support 



BIOGRAIMIICAI. RF.VIEW 



401 



himself, bill assisted in the support of liis 
parents and younger brothers and sisters, and 
obtained a fair edueation in the district 
schools and at the Delaware Literary Insti- 
tute. In school he always stood well in his 
classes, and was never known to fail of having 
his lessons. At eight years of age he began 
assisting his father in the matter of driving 
stock, and at twelve years of age also assisted 
in buying and selling. A portion of each 
year was devoted to this business until the 
age of twenty-live years. 
" He read law with Robert T. Johnson, ICsq., 
of Franklin, and was admitted to practice, 
after eleven months" study, in June of 1870. 
In February of 1870 he bought a half-interest 
in the Franklin /vixhnr and Walton Lliion- 
iclc. Later he disposed of his interest in the 
C7iroii!c/<\ and became sole proprietor of the 
Kc'i^^istrr. in the fall of 1871 he established 
another journal in Sidney, called by the very 
appropriate name oi Jiickson' s Democrat. Re- 
moving to Oneonta in the fall of 1872, he 
published the Oneonta Liberal fi'cm that date 
to 1875 taking a very active part in the (irant- 
Grceley cami)aign. In 1876, during the 
Haycs-Tilden campaign, he published a cam- 
paign [laper at Oneonta, and stumped Otsego 
County for Mr. Tilden. 

In 1877 he returned to I-'ranklin, and prac- 
tised law until the fall of 1879, when he 
removed to Margaretville, and bought tJie 
I'tUitdi iivi, a weekly pajier. which he still 
controls, though he is an active and success- 
ful lawyer and dealer in real estate. 

In 1871. (Ill his twenty-eighth birthday, he 
married J. Alice (irant, daughter of Alexan- 
der llaswell Tirant, of Franklin, who married 
Julia Merrick, the elilest daughter of Joseph 
"H. Merrick. Mr. (Irant began life as a 
clerk while still a young lad, and continued 
in mercantile life for a quarter of a century, 
then, like Cincinnatus, retired to the quiet of 
a farm, where he spent his declining years at 
active labor as a successful tiller of the soil. 
He died in January, 1S9J. His widnw is 
stili a resident of Franklin, occupying the old 
homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Grant reared three 
children. The eldest, Julia Alice, became 
Mrs. Jackson: the others wore Powell M. and 
Mary, who both reside in Franklin. 



Mr. and Mrs. J. K. I'. Jackson liave tiiree 
living children: Alexander (irant Jackson 
was born in Oneonta, March J, 1875, and now 
holds a position in the custom service under 
the appraiser of the port of New York. 
Marv F. |acks(jn was liorn in Oneonta, Xo- 
vember 27, 1875. I'anny Myra Jackson 
was born April 9, 1889, in Margaretville. 
Mr. lackson is a Democrat, and has always 
taken a deep interest in politics, altliough 
never an office-seeker. in 1871 he was the 
candidate of his party for the Assembly in the 
then Second Assembly District of Delaware 
County, but placed in nomination by his party 
to complete a ticket, and lead a forlorn hope 
in a district always Republican. He has held 
the office of Justice of the Peace two terms, 
and serveil one term as Police Justice of his 
village. In the line of his profession he is 
attorney for the People's Bank, and has been 
since the organization of that institution. He 
is an easy, lliient, and forciljle speaker, and 
has taken part, from the platform, in the dis- 
cussion of political questions in each Presi- 
dential canii-iaign beginning with that of 1864. 

He is a member of the Methodist Ivpisco- 
pal church, an active worker in the Sunday- 
school, and has been a church Trustee. 

Mr. lackson was one of the first advocates 
of an agricultural society for his locality, and 
called the first meeting that was held to 
organize the Calskill Mountain Agricultural 
Society, was elected the first Secretary of that 
association, and is now its President. As a 
militarv man he heUl the office of Captain in 
the One Hundredth Regiment of Infantry in 
the Fighteenth Brigade nf the Fifth Division 
of the National Guard of the State ot New 
York. His commission was signed by Gov- 
ernor Reuben 1^. Fenton. 

^Ir. Jackson cares nothing for money except 
to use for the advancement of some laudable 
obiect oY the comfort of his family, has no 
priiie so far as dress or show is concerneil, but 
onlv in his integrity and his family, every 
mei'nber of which is more dear to him than the 
apple of his eye, and to all of whom he has 
given the best advantages within his means. 
He is a liberal giver, and keeps o|)en house 
to his many friends. He is abstemious in his 
habits, using neither tobacco nor liquor: and. 



4° 2 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



while he enjoys sitting at a good table, he 
chooscth only the plainest of food for his own 
plate. He works all the week-days in the 
year, including the holidays. While so many 
in these days take vacations for longer or 
shorter periods, he has never taken a full 
week from his business since he began for 
himself. Among his clients are many quite 
poor; but their cases are taken, and the work 
performed with the same care and fidelity as 
though they were able to pay large fees. Me 
has probably done more work for which he has 
received no pay, during the past ten years, 
than any other member of his profession in 
the county of Delaware. A frequent remark 
of his, showing how well he knows himself, 
is, "If I were as good a collector for myself 
as for my clients, I should have been rich long 
ago." Another pet expression is, "Having 
the luck to be born poor, I have escaped those 
temptations that have destroyed many who 
deemed themselves more fortunate than I." 
Another, and the key-note to his character, is, 
"I never deemed myself beneath any man 
because of his wealth, nor above any because 
of his poverty." 



T^HARLES E. HITT, a well-known en- 
I vV terprising and prosperous merchant 
\rL- of the village of Delhi, Delaware 
County, N.Y., was born in Sullivan 
County, February 22, 1841. His father, Le- 
ander, was a native of Colchester, this county. 
The grandfather, Abijah Hitt, came from 
Devereux County, Pennsylvania, and, pur- 
chasing a large tract of timbered land near 
Colchester, engaged in the pursuits of farming 
and lumbering. He was the father of seven 
children by his first wife, of whom Leander 
was the youngest. 

After being educated at the district schools, 
Leander Hitt worked for his father until he 
purchased a farm of his own in Colchester. 
This he conducted for some time, and then 
bought a hotel in the same town, which he 
managed until his death in middle life. Mr. 
Hitt was married to Elizabeth Ann Wright, 
of Colchester, by whom he had five children, 
only four, however, arriving at maturity — 
Charles E., William H., Myers, and Elbridge. 



Charles E. Hitt was educated at the Eng- 
lish High School of his native town, and 
until the age of seventeen assisted his father 
on the farm. Not being desirous of leading 
the life of an agriculturist, his bent being 
more toward mercantile pursuits, he engaged 
as a clerk in a hardware store in Andes, 
where he remained three years. He then 
came to Delhi, and worked in a large general 
store for another three years. At the age of 
twenty-three he entered into partnership with 
Mr. J. H. Gould, opening a genera! dry-goods 
and furnishing store. Having continued in 
this connection four years, Mr. Hitt sold his 
interest in the business, and went to Albany, 
where he was employed for three years as 
salesman for Douglas, Shepard & Co. Again 
returning to Delhi, he associated in business 
with Mr. John Russell in a general store. 
This partnership continued four years, when 
it was dissolved; and Mr. Hitt has continued 
in business alone ever since, having a fine 
general store and conducting a large and in- 
creasing trade. Charles E. Hitt was married 
July 13, 1868, to Miss Mary A. Elwood, a 
daughter of James and Mary J. Johnson El- 
wood, her father having been a successful 
business man in Delhi for many years. Two 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Hitt, only one of whom is now living — Irene 
Elwood Hitt. 

Mr. Hitt is a member of the Zeta Phi, a 
literary society of Delhi. He has also, been 
Trustee of the village, and for many years was 
a Trustee of the Delhi Academy. In politics 
he is a strong supporter of the Democratic 
party. Mr. and Mrs. Hitt are communicants 
of St. John's (Episcopal) Church, of which 
Mr. Hitt is Senior Warden. Mr. Hitt is one 
of the most successful and highly respected 
merchants in Delhi, his genial manners and 
kindly and generous impulses making him 
beloved by all. 



LIVER E. MINER is one of the most 
industrious and progressive farmers of 
Andes, Delaware County, N.Y. His 
paternal grandfather, Jonathan Miner, 
was a native of England and an early settler 
of Connecticut, where he was employed as a 




HIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



103 



tarmcr and miller. lie was a Revolutionary 
soldier, taking part in the battle of Hunker 
Hill, and haviui;- his house destroyed during 
the war. He died in the State where he was 
born, at the good old age of ninety-two years. 
His son, Oliver, the father of the subject of 
this sketch, was born in Connecticut in Janu- 
ary, 1780, and on January i, 1800, married 
Miss Amy Bishop, of the same State, who was 
born September 14, 1783. Her father, 
Thomas l^ishop, was a native of France, but 
came with his i)arents to Connecticut, and 
fought for his country's freedom at Bunker 
Hill. He was a successful farmer, and lived 
to reach his ninety-fifth year. After the mar- 
riage of Mr. and Mrs. Miner they lived for 
some years in Connecticut, and then removed 
to this State with their ten children, settling 
in the town of Antics in 1826. The journey 
was made in a sloop from New T.ondon to New 
York City, and in the same way from New 
York to Kingston I'oint, the rest of the dis- 
tance to Pine Hill being covered in wagons, 
the whole journey occupying ten days. Mr. 
Miner here iiurchased two hundred acres of 
woodland, which he cleared, and then built 
a log house and cultivated his farm, (lame 
animals abounded in this country at that tinic; 
and this furnished the greater portion of the 
food for the pioneer settler and his family, as 
the market was seldom visited, the distance to 
it being sixty miles. 'l"he nearest mill was 
at Bovina, where they carried their grist by 
means of a yoke of oxen and a rude dray 
which was fashioned from a log of wood and 
was an extremely primiti\-e contrivance. 

Oliver Miner was a very industrious man. 
and lived to see the results of his hard work, 
his last cku's being spent in Colchester, where 
he ownetl a farm of two hundred acres, which 
he purchased of William Downs, having sold 
his other two farms to his son. His death 
occurred November ro, 1846, and that of his 
wife July 30, 1876, she being ninety-three 
years of age. He was a Democrat ; and both 
were devoted members of the Methotlist I'^jis- 
copal church, and were highly respected. 
They were the parents of fourteen children, 
ten of whom were born in Connecticut and 
four in New York. Kleven of their children 
urew to maturity: and five are now li\ing. 



namely: hJastus, a farmer in ('olchester; 
Harriet, witlow of William .Muipli)-, ol l-ied 
Oak, la.; Almavina, widow of James Lord, a 
resident of Penns_\lvania ; (Oliver ]'.., the sub- 
ject of this biography; Lorenzo 1)., a f;irmer 
and CcU"penter in Colchester. 

Oliver V.. Miner, son of Oliver and Am\ 
(I)isho])) Miner, was born in Montville, New 
London County, Conn., February 3, 1S21, 
but removed with his parents to Andes, where 
he grew to m;inhood, and received his edu- 
cation in the schools of the town. Until 
twenty-two years of age he remained at home, 
and assisted his father in the care of the farm. 
Mr. Miner's first purchase was a tract of wild 
land in Cidchester, containing f)ne hundred 
acres; and here he l:)egan to build his log 
house in the middle of I''ebruury, when the 
snow covered the country in deej) drifts. He 
worked on his house by day, and made the 
shingles b\' night, nio\ing into his new home 
in April. h'or two years he resided there, 
and then in 1844 exchanged it for his present 
]iroperty, which was at that time a large tract 
of woodland containing fifty acres. b'rom 
time t<j time Mr. Miner purchased land until 
he was the [possessor of eight hundred acres, 
part of which he sold, but now owns four hun- 
: dn'd and eighty acres. ]5esides his farm in 
y\ndes he is the owner of a fine residence in 
^Htklletown, where his son is located. He 
has been an energetic worker, and his remark- 
able success is due to his ceaseless efforts 
combined with jM-actical business ability. 
He is constantly improving his jiroperty : and 
! his farm is one of the finest in the town, con- 
taining a large dairy, which he carries on in 
connection with husbandry. Mr. Miner has 
also engaged quite extensively in the lumber 
business, having built at different times three 
saw-mills, one of which is now in operation 
on his farm. Fie deals also in bark, the sale 
of which has enabled him to pay for his val- 
uable property. 

October 27, 1S42, he was married l)y the 
Rev. James T. Bouton to Miss Aflaline .S. 
Farll, who was born in Andes, a daughter of 
John and IMuebe (Washburn) Farll, early set- 
tlers in New York State. Mr. Miner has 
been called upon to part with his wife, who 
died January 7, 1S94, aged si.\ty-ninc years. 



404 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



She was the mother of six children, four of 
whom are now living: Emily, widow of Sam- 
uel Davis, residing with her father; Ira E., a 
farmer in Andes; Colonel E. Miner, of Mid- 
dletown; Marvin L. Miner, a farmer in his 
native town. Two children have passed away, 
namely: an infant; and a son John, aged 
twenty -two. 

Mr. Miner is a Democrat and a natural pol- 
itician, both his grandfathers and his uncle 
having been United States Senators. He has 
served as Notary Public, and held many town 
offices, taking at all limes an active part in 
politics. He is a member of the Delhi 
Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
and is well known and justly popular through- 
out the county, where he is universally re- 
spected for his industry, honesty, and practical 
intelligence. 




LBERT D. l'b:AKE, attorney-at-law, 
and proprietor of the Walton Novelty 
Works of Walton, Delaware County, 
N.Y., was born in Hamden, this 
county, on November 17, 1846, son of Ira and 
Celinda (Tiffany) Peake. The family are of 
good old I^nglish ancestry, and came to Amer- 
ica about 1700, settling in Schenectady 
County, N.Y. 

Roswell Peake, the grandfather of Albert 
D., married Miss Mary Mason, by whom he 
had twelve children; namely, Matilda, Maria, 
Sirissa, Emeline, Sibyl, Julia, Walter C, 
Ira, Cyrus, Warren L., Augustus, and 
P^leazer. Matilda Peake married Daniel Pat- 
terson, of Hamden, and died at the age of 
twenty-seven, leaving two sons and one daugh- 
ter — James, Roswell, and Harriett. James 
Patterson married Miss Wakeman, moved to 
Wayne County, Pennsylvania, and after her 
death married Miss Stearns. Roswell Patter- 
son married Miss Angel ine Woodbeck, of 
Pennsylvania, and had eight children, four 
sons and four daughters. Maria Peake mar- 
ried Amh'ew Andrews, of Hamden; and they 
are the ])arents of six children — Joseph, 
George, Daniel, Harriet, Theodocia, and 
Adclia. Walter C. Peake married Hannah 
Tiffany, settling in Hamden; and they had 
the following children: Ira, Oliver, Andrew 



Walter, Lucinda, Jane, Julia, Mary, Celinda, 
Ellen, and Electa. Sirissa Peake married 
Caleb Chadwick, of Livingston County, both 
deceased. They had three children — Caleb, 
Walter, and Adelia. 

Warren L. Peake married Amy Chace, and 
died at his home in Hamden, leaving four 
children — Eleazer, Matilda, George, and 
Emma. Cyrus Peake married Louisa War- 
dell; and both died at Hancock, leaving 
twelve children ^ — Walter, William, Henry, 
Cyrus, Marcus, Ursula, Harriet, Abby, Re- 
becca, Emma, Marcia, Marion. Emmeline 
Peake married Henry Dart, locating first in 
Pennsylvania, and later in California, and had 
the following children: Albert Cyrus, of the 
firm of Henry Dart & Sons, of Rock Island, 
III. ; and William H., Stewart, Roswell, and 
Augusta, who settled in the West. Sybil 
Peake married Albert Dart, settled in Wayne 
County, Pennsylvania, and later in Illinois, 
reared two children: Frances, who married 
Frank Morse, of Chicago; and Clayton, now 
in Minnesota. Eleazer Peake married Miss 
Mary Holmes, settling in Colchester; and 
after the death of his wife he moved to Ne- 
braska, where he died. His children were: 
Augustus, Amy, William, Mary, and Samuel. 
Julia Peake married Alvin Stearns, and 
resides at Harford, Susquehanna County, 
Pennsylvania. Three children were born to 
them — Charles, Albert, and Alice. 

Ira, the father of Albert D. Peake, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was born in Hamden, 
March 19, 1806, and died in 1S85. He mar- 
ried in 1826 Celinda Tiffany, born December 
2, 1807. She was the daughter of Samuel 
and Mary Tiffany, of Massachusetts, and of 
old New England stock. At the time of Mr. 
and Mrs. Peake's settlement in Hamden they 
were in extremely moderate circumstances, 
and bought at first but a small piece of land. 
P2nergetic and enterprising, he added to this 
until at last he owned over five hundred acres, 
and became one of the largest and wealthiest 
farmers in the county. At the time he settled 
in Hamden his nearest trading-post was on 
the Hudson River, where he hauled his prod- 
uce and bought his stores. Mr. Peake was a 
man of more than ordinary ability. He was a 
close friend of Henry Clay, voting with the 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



105 



old \Nliii;' l';iity, and was one of the first to 
espouse tlie Republican cause. He was n 
strong Abolitionist, and nuich opposed to the 
traffic and use of liquor in any form. Ira and 
Celinda (Tiffan\') I'eake weie the parents of 
the following children: 

Anna ICliza I'eake, born December 4, 1S27, 
married E. J. I-'raser, who settled first at 
Delhi, and afterward at Hamden, whcie Mrs. 
l-'raser died. She had seven children — I\Iary, 
Elizabeth A., Celinda, Jennie, lunma, Eben- 
ezer B., and lilla. I-'rances Peake, born Oc- 
tober 14, 1829, married James II. Arbnckle, 
and settled in California. They had one 
child, w'ho died in infancy. Robert B. Peake, 
born November 3, 1831, settled first in Cali- 
fornia, afterward mo\ing to Washington. lie 
married l^mma I. add, by whom he had six chil- 
dren. Warren P. Peake, born July 6, 1S33, 
settled in Nebraska, and is supposed to have 
been murdered. He married luinice Baglev, 
bv wlioni he had three children: \'iah and 
Lillian, lioth tleceased : and Irving, of Rus- 
sell, Kan. Roswell I.. I'eake, born June 23, 
1S35, settled in Hastings, Minn. He mar- 
ried Adelia Robinson, and had the following 
children: .Millard !•". ; Ruberta; Mary; Cora; 
Kva; Albert IC. ; Dewitt and Winifield .S., de- 
ceased. Martha A. Peake, born .SciHember 20, 
1837, married Joshua 15. Brandt, of Walton, 
and had four children: Douglas D. : Joshua, 
deceased; Herschel, deceased; and Albert P. 
Charlotte Peake, born October 14, 1843, mar- 
ried Daniel Jirisack, and died in Walton, 
leaving one son, Curtis. Albert D. Peake 
was the lourth son of his parents. His 
mother, Mrs. Celinda 'F. Peake, died in 1866. 
Ira Peake married for his second wife Miss 
•Vbigail Law, by whom he had fi\e children — 
Sheridan, I'rancis, Artlun-, Herbert, and Lil- 
ian. Mrs. Abigail Peake died in 1S75; and 
Mr. Peake married for his third wife Miss 
Pauline Law, b}- whom he had two childien — 
Ida and Cliester. 

Albert D. Peake received his preparatory 
education at tlie district schools of Hamden, 
and at the Delhi Academy, and was graduated 
from Union C-ollege, and from the Albany 
Law Sch(K)l in 1873. In 1870 he was Piin- 
cii^al of the high school at Schenectady, and 
thence went to Delhi, where he embarked 



in the [)ractice of his profession. .Subse- 
C|uently, in 1874, he came to Walton, and 
here continued his law practice. L'pon the 
failure of the Walton Novelty Works in 1885, 
Mr. Peake, in conjunction with J. (J. Barlow, 
jnn-chased tlie business, wliich was contlucted 
on those lines until 1890, when he bought out 
the interest of Mr. Barlow, and has since been 
the sole pro]irietor of the works. He makes a 
s[)ecialty of the manufacture of baby-carriages, 
which have a world-witle reputation, receiving 
onlers from .Australia and many distant ])arts. 
Mr. I'eake is an extremely busy man, having 
two branch offices in New York, a half-inter- 
est in the "New York Carriage Company," 
and being sole proprietor of the business of 
(icrbracht & Co. of New York City. 

Mr. Peake was united in marriage .Sejitem- 
ber 10, 1S74, to Miss Martha McLaury, a 
daughter of Dr. J. S. McLaury, of Walton. 
Mrs. I'eake was born in Walton, Marcli 11, 
1851. receiving her education at the Walton 
High School and the Normal College of New 
York City. I'ive chiUh-en blessed this union, 
namely: Lauri'us, Ijorn in March. 1875, died 
March 10, 1875; James McL., born Decem- 
ber 29, 1876, now a student at Williams 
College: Albert D., born August 6, 1878, 
died at \'onkers in 1881; lilvelvn M., born 
December 6, [880; and Ldwin, born March 
3, 1882, who died in infancy. Mis. Martha 
i'eake died in March, 1SS2: and Mr. Peake 
married for his second wife, in April, 1883. 
Miss Margaret Thomson, b\- whom he has one 
child. Charles N., born July 29, 1889. 

Mr. Peake's jiolitical creed is Republican. 
He has never sought any office; but his per- 
sonal ])oinilarit\- was such tb.at he was elected 
Supervisor of his town and President of 
the Board of I'".ducation. He was chairman of 
the Building Connnittce ha\-ing in charge 
the erection of the fine school building which 
now graces the town. Mr. Peake has been an 
active member of the Methodist I^piscopal 
church at Walton for many vears. and has 
been dec'ph' interested in the .Sundav-school, 
of which he is superintendent. He also 
served as President of the Building Commit- 
tee in the erection of the church. He is ;i 
man of rare intelligence and sound judgment, 
possessing all the qualifications for a large 



4o6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



and sucx^.^..,. merchant. He is still in the 
prime of vigorous manhood, and promises 
many \'ears of usefulness in the community of 
which he is an honored citizen. 



'OHN MEYER, a popular citizen of the 
town of Hancock, in Delaware County, 
was born in Wiirtembcrg, Germany, 
October 1 1, 1818. His father was 
John Meyer, Sr., a native of the same town, 
who was a wheelwright by trade. He married 
Victoria Ihle, and came to this country about 
1833, accompanied by his family. They 
sailed from Rotterdam, and were one hundred 
and one days on the water, suffering during 
this long passage from the scarcity of provi- 
sions and fuel. This was due to the careless- 
ness or inhumanity of the captain, who had 
overcrowded his vessel with passengers, for 
which offence he was threatened with arrest 
upon his arrival in New York. After reach- 
ing this country, Mr. Meyer engaged in the 
manufacture of paper boxes, being prevented 
by ill health from following his trade of 
wheelwright. About 1842 he purchased one 
hundred acres of land from P. A. Toupinard, 
an extensive land-owner in the town of Han- 
cock, and, removing to this thickly wooded, 
hilly country, proceeded to clear his farm and 
erect buildings. Much of the land here was at 
that time a virgin forest, and he was the first 
to cut a stick of timber in preparing his new 
home. He lived to be seventy-five years of 
age, his wife surviving him a number of 
years. They were the parents of two chil- 
dren, John and Francis, both of whom still 
reside on the homestead farm. 

John Meyer, the subject of this biography, 
was educated in Germany: and, after coming 
here, he served his time as an apprentice to a 
cabinet-maker in New York City. He fol- 
lowed that occupation for a time, and then 
moved with his parents to the town of Han- 
cock, where he assisted them in establishing 
the new home near French Woods. He has 
increased the farm to two hundred and thirty- 
three acres, nearly all of which is under 
cultivation. 

He married Catherine Bilger, daughter of 
Peter Bilger, of New York City, a descendant 



of a German family of that name. Mr. and 
Mrs. Meyer have had nine children, namely: 
John; Mary, who died in infancy; Joseph; 
Charles; George; Frank; Victoria; Cather- 
ine; and a second Mary. George, who mar- 
ried Mary Holman, of Brooklyn, and Joseph 
carry on the home farm, the father having 
retired from active life. Charles is a lumber- 
man in Delaware County. Catherine, who 
married Henry Peak, a farmer and proprietor 
of a saw-mill in the town of Hancock, died in 
1893, the mother of ten children — Victoria, 
Anastasia, Eeo, Lawrence, Henry, Walter, 
Lucian, Katie, and two others who died in 
infancy. Victoria married James Sullivan, of 
Bethel, Sullivan County, and since her hus- 
band's death in 1883 has resided with her 
father in the town of Hancock. Mary also 
resides with her father. John, who is a car- 
penter, and married Miss Near, of Eau 
Claire, Wis., has a large family. Frank, 
who married Mary Sullivan, of Bethel, Sulli- 
van County, N.Y., manages a store at Long 
Eddy, Sullivan County. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Meyer and their family 
are members of the Catholic church at French 
Woods. Mr. Meyer is politically a Demo- 
crat, and has held many offices of trust, among 
them being that of Commissioner of High- 
ways, attending to its duties ably and faith- 
fully, always favoring everything which he 
thought tended toward the improvement and 
progress of the town. 



(sTr^I^^EW THOMSON RUSSELL, a 
fcIA Delaware County dairyman of Scotch 
yj]A ancestry, occupies the farm in Bo- 

^~^ vina on which he was born, and 
which includes the tract of land cleared by his 
paternal grandfather, William Russell, in the 
early part of the century. William Russell 
was born near Glasgow, Scotland; and he and 
his wife, who was also Scotch, emigrated to 
America in 1800, and settled here in the 
primeval forest. His first work was to cut 
down the trees, whose stout trunks were to be 
fashioned into a rude abode for his wife and 
children. The game that dwelt about the 
very threshold of the cabin furnished food for 
the hungrv little mouths. There were at the 



RIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



407 



time 110 roads cut tliroui^h the woods, still 
haunted by wolves and bears; and the journey 
to tile mill at South Kortright, now l<nown 
as Almeda, a distance of five miles, which 
the sturdy [iioneer sometimes made, carr\ ing' 
the grain on his back, the path being indi- 
cated only by blazed trees, was both toilsome 
and perilous. William Russell died here 
lune j8, 1828, aged ninetv-tive years and 
four months, leaving five sons — John, Stephen, 
James, William, Matthew — and one daughter. 
His wife, Janet Pumphry, was Iiorn in 1750, 
and died :\iay ^O, 1837. 

lames Russell, the thiril of this goodly 
group, was born in Scotland on June 22, 1790, 
and was a lad of ten years when he came to 
this countr\' with his [)arents. He was edu- 
cated in the district schools of the localit)-, 
and came into possession of tlie farm at his 
father's death. He added largely to tiic es- 
tate, and became quite a man of property. 
He married Margaret 15r}ce, who was born in 
Scotland, February 5, 1796, a daughter of 
Thomas and Janet (Gil more) Br\xe, the 
former of whom died February 25, 1S13, anil 
the latter, a daughter of John Gilmore, July 
II, 1829. The other children of her inirenls 
were the following: Agnes, born March 19, 
1794; Jean, March 24, 1799: Archibakl, 
August 25. 1801: John, January 26, 180.5; 
Flizabeth, February 20, 1805 : Matthew, born 
January 28, 1807, who died in I.ibby Prison 
during the Civil War: Mary, September 2, 
1809: Thomas G., April 4, 18 12. The wife of 
Mr. Russell sharetl his religious faith and 
creed, both being members of the Reformed 
Presb\terian church. He had no interest in 
the political situation oi his time, and took no 
part in national or local issues. His reasons 
for thus disfranchising himself, as it were, 
arc indicated in the following extract from 
the Synod's Report on National Reform in 
1869: "Because this nation has steadfastly 
refused any acknowledgment of the authority 
of (iod, of his .Son. or uf his law," and be- 
cause "A Constitution which ignores the 
foundations oi all political morality cannot be 
accepted and a])proved by any Christian people 
without sin," and because he holds "it to 
be the duty of every citizen of this nation 
to maintain an active dissent bv refus- 



ing to incorporate with a go\cinnirnl liuis 
constituted." 

James Russell died August 4, 1851. 11 is 
wife Margaret survi\ed him man\- \ears, 
dying January 15, 1873. Tweh'c children, all 
sons, were born to them, eight of whom grew 
up, and three of whom, .Stei)hen, John, and 
Andrew, are now li\ing. The record is ;is 
follows: William, born December 19, 18 14, 
died I'ebruary 2, 1892; Thomas H.. born 
■August 9, 1816, died April 18, 1881; James 
G., born Ajiril 21, 1818, died January i, 
1891 ; an infant, born Ma\- 9, 1820, tlied un- 
named; Archibald 15., born August 18, 1821, 
died I'ebruary 18, 1868: .Stephen, born Jan- 
uary 26, 1824; John G., born Januar\- 16, 
1827: an infant, born and diid on December 
13, 1829; Matthew, born May 31, 1831, died 
.SeiJtember 27, 1833: l)a\i<l B., born August 
19, 1833, died February 28, 1892: Andrew 
T., born November 9, 1837: ^latthew H., 
born June 17, 1840. died January 14, 1847. 

Antlrew T. Russell worked on his fathei's 
farm, and hired himself out f<u" several N'ears 
during his \i)uth, earning t)ne hundred and 
fift\'-five dollars for his first year's wages, 
lie alsii workeil at the carjjcnter's trade one 
year. lie was married January 12, 1865. and 
bought the farm in the spring of that year. 
The young woman who linked her fate with 
his was Miss P'liza Jane Mcl.aurv, who was 
born in the town of Daxenpnrt, April 2^. 
1845, a daughter of (ieorge II. and Nancy 
(Cobine) McLaury. George H. Mcl.aury was 
a native of Kortright. and .Mrs. McLaury of 
Franklin. They reared a famil_\' of seven 
children: (ieorge, a farmer in Iowa: Thomas. 
who died in the Civil War; David, who lives 
in Delhi; Mrs. Russell; John, a farmer in 
South Dakota; Samuel, also in South Dakota; 
and Mrs. Sarah A. Terrell, wife of Thomas 
Terrell, a liaggage-master in Oneonta, N.\'. 
Andrew T. Russell has li\ed at the home f)f 
his birth, surrounded by all the ties of asso- 
ciation and childhood that make a localit)- 
dear. He keeps thirt\- milch cows, and ha> 
one of the best dairies in the count)'. The 
new buildings which he has erected h.ave 
greatl)- enhanced the \alue of the ])roperty : 
and the land itself, under intelligent tillage. 
has been vastly improved. 



4o8 



BIOGRAPHICAL" REVIEW 



Six children have 1)1lssih1 ihc union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Russell, namely: James J. K., born 
November 5, 1865, who married Miss Tina L. 
Doig, and has one daughter, Florence Pearl; 
George T., born September 19, 1868; Nettie 
A., born October 18, 1870; Andrew G., born 
March 22, 1872; Samuel W., born July 25, 
1873, a clerk in Oneonta; Mary Jane Eliza, 
born December 23, 1875, now at the Normal 
School of Oneonta. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Russell are members of 
the Reformed Presbyterian church, in which 
the former has been an Elder for twenty-one 
years. He is also the superintendent of the 
Sabbath-school, which latter office he has held 
for the last five years. Politics seem to have 
little or no interest for this man, who, for the 
same reasons stated in regard to his father, 
serves his country by setting an example of 
industry, sobriety, and thrift, rather than by 
taking an active part in .State or national 
affairs. 




H. PALMER is a gentleman well 
known in the business, social, and 
political circles of Deposit, which 
is the place of his residence. His 
acquaintance and reputation extend far beyond 
his home; for since 1888 he has held the re- 
sponsible position of State Dairy Expert —an 
office requiring more than ordinary knowledge 
and nicety of discernment. His work in- 
cludes the inspection of milk, cream, butter, 
lard, oleo oils, stearine, oleomargarine and 
butterine, and vinegar. There are but few 
men capable of performing the duties assigned 
to this position, and among these few Mr. 
Palmer stands in the front rank. In his work 
he travels over eleven counties in South-east- 
ern New York. He is greatly interested in 
the work: and the people of his part of the 
State of New York are well protected from 
"bogus food," foreign mixtures, chemical 
preparations, and deceitful and alluring 
imitations. 

R. H. Palmer was born in Deposit, Septem- 
ber 24, 1840. His father is Fletcher Palmer, 
the "Squire," a lawyer of ability, who has 
already spent eighty-three years on this earth. 
His mother, whose name before marriage was 



Nancy Peters, was a native of Philadelphia. 
She died at the age of forty-four years, leav- 
ing six children, all of whom are living, 
namely: R. H., the inspector; Arthur T., 
who is the Assistant Suj^erintendent of the 
Union Pacific Railroad, and lives at Kansas 
City, Mo. ; James K. Polk, a passenger con- 
ductor on the Erie line, with headquarters at 
Susquehanna; -Smith, the station agent of the 
Erie Railroad at Hawley, Pa. ; John P., a 
locomotive engineer, with residence at De- 
posit; Emily, the wife of William Carpenter, 
a locomotive engineer of the Erie Railroad, 
living at Binghamton. The father was mar- 
ried a second time, from which union was one 
daughter, Jessie, who is attending the union 
school of Deposit. 

The subject of this .sketch was the first-born 
of these children, and is practically a self- 
made man. Having had but limited opportu- 
nity in his youth for obtaining an education 
in the schools, he has made the most of his 
natural abilities, and has gathered by reading, 
observation, and intercourse with the world a 
large fund of useful information. His wide 
knowledge of material things and acquaint- 
ance with men and affairs are worth vastly 
more to him in actual business than the high- 
■est classical lore of the schools would be. 
He was engaged for a number of years in the 
fur business in the counties of Broome and 
Delaware, and next was in the meat trade; 
and from that he embarked in the coal busi- 
ness, which he has successfully managed for 
many years. He built his present residence 
on Laurel Bank Avenue in 1880. He was 
married in 1S71 to Chloe J. Merrill, daugh- 
ter of Henry and Mary Merrill, of Deposit, 
both of whom are now deceased. They were 
excellent people, much respected, and quite 
active in church work and in all things hav- 
ing a tendency to promote the industrial and 
moral improvement of the community. 

Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have one child — a 
daughter, Mary. They are members of the 
Baptist church, and contribute of their means 
and influence to the support of the gospel of 
Christ and the dissemination of the principles 
of religion and morality. Mr. Palmer belongs 
to the Democratic party, and has served on 
the Central Committee of Delaware County 



BIOGRAPHICAL RKVIKW 



.(O.J 



for the past fifteen years, lie lias also been 
a delegate to several Democrat ie State con- 
ventions, and his atlvice and counsel are mucii 
sought in every campaign. He was ajjpoinled 
to his present position by (iovernor Mill, who 
deserves credit for his admirable sidection, 
which seems to meet with univcisal a]ipi-o\a]. 
The integritv and faithfulness of Mr. I'almer 
are not qucstioneil; and it is unfortunate foi- 
the people that inspectors of similar qualifica- 
tions cannot always l)e appointed, to the end 
that there might be more efficient service in 
this important department. What a happy 
thing for the country if all the other public of- 
fices could be held severallv bv the fittest men ! 



rm^ 



EOliGK II. LASHER is a prominent 
% '•) I resident and inn-kee])er at firiffin"s 
— ^ Corners, Miildletown, Delawaie 
Comity. He was born at Brush Ridgi', in 
the same town, on Ma}' 22, 1S53. His 
grandfather was Conrad Lasher, who mai'ried 
Anna Maria Sagendorf. Tiiey came fi'om 
Dutchess County to Delaware County, wlii're 
he bought a farm on Hrusii Ridge of one hun- 
dred and thirty-five unreclaimed acres. On 
that land he built a log house and barn. He 
died at the age of eigiUy-eight, in the town ol 
Lexington, Greene County; but his wife dit.d 
at eighty-three, near their old home. Conrad 
Lasher was a liberal in religion, a Democrat 
in politics, and the falJier of eight cliildren — 
Robert, lulward, b'rederick, Catherine, .-Xlira- 
iiam, .-^llen. Maria, and .Susan. 

His son I'rederick was born in Dutchess 
Countv in 1816, and he was only fourteen 
when the family came to Delaware County. 
He married Anna, the daughter of John Rick- 
ert. John Rickert and wife had four girls 
and two boys. One girl died in babyliood ; 
but John, Cicorge, Anna, luneline, and Helen 
grew up. After marriage Frederick and 
Anna Lasher lived two years on the farm of 
a hundred acres across the road from the 
homestead at Hrush Ridge, in an old log 
house; but subsequently he erected new 
buildings. In politics Mr. Lasher was a Re- 
publican. His wife died when she was 
seventv, and he died at sixty-seven. The)' 
had fourteen children, bi-ietl\' nameil Ik-Iow. 



Margaret Lasher married Marchant \'an \'al- 
kenburg, of Ilalcotl, (ireene County, and bure 
three children. Cimrad. named f<u- iiis grand- 
father Lasher, died at twenty-fnur. Jane 
Laslier, deceased, was tlie wife of Ldward 
.Angle, who lives at Hrush Ridge. Their 
ffuntli and fifth children died y<iung. Philip 
Lasher, a Delhi farmer, married Jane Town- 
send, wh(j di(.'d, leaving one son, Isaac, two 
children having died previously. John Lasher 
married Mar\- Johnson, is a Middletown 
farmer, and lias six children. Anna K. 
Lasher is tiie wife of Avery Houghton; and 
thev now live at the Mountain Star House, 
in Ilalcott, Greene County. Isabella Lasher 
married I'hilmore Herger. a Rhinebeck farmer 
in Dutchess Comity, l-'rances Lasher, de- 
ceased, married Francis ICnist, of Olive, 
Ulster Count)-, and had a ciiild. no longer 
living. Of the eleventh child, (leorge 
Lasher, more will be said Jiereafter. Alber- 
tina Lasher married James Hicks, a black- 
smith at l''leischmanns. Henrietta Lasher, 
deceased, was tlie wife of Daniel Houghton, 
a farmer, and liad one child. Jeannette 
Lasher married James (iilj, of Margai-ettville, 
lias three eliihh-en ; and the)' live at the Hiid 
1 louse. 

(ieorge II. Lasher went to the district 
school, and worked on the home farm till he 
was thirty-three years of age. Then he went 
til Kingston, where he lived aw'hile, and after- 
ward came to Griffin's Cornel's. Here he 
bnu^lil the old hotel of his uncle. Allen 
I.ashi-i', remodelled the house, and has now 
liecome the i)i'incii).il liotel-keejjer in this re- 
gion, at the s.niie time owning the Hrush Ridge 
homestead of one hundred and twent)'-five 
acres and a house and lot across the creek in 
l'"leischmanns. In 1S.S3 George Lasher mar- 
ried. It is a curious coincidence that granil- 
father, father, and son should all three marry 
wonuai with Anna for their first name. I'^vi- 
dentlv they liked it. .Mrs. George Lasher 
w.as Anna Crawford, daughter of Dr. Craw- 
ford; and thev have three children — Her- 
bert, Rose, and Crawford, the latter, of 
course, bearing his mother's famil)' name. 
In politics Mr. Lasher is a Republican. 
Like his progenitors, he is liberal in his 
religious views. 



410 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



It is fitting that here should be given "some 
idea of the family to which Mrs. Lasher be- 
longs. Dr. W. H. Crawford was born in 
Defhi, N.Y., on New Years Day, 1829. 
His wife, Margaret Amos, was born a year 
earlier, August 24, 1828. The Doctor's par- 
ents were John and Mary Ann (Shaw) 
Crawford. The grandparents were Robert 
Crawford and Jeannette Forsyth, and came 
from Scotland, after they were married, to 
Schoharie County, where Robert followed his 
trade as a miller, but died young, having 
three children — John, William, and Jean- 
nette Crawford. The widow then married 
James Brown, of Bovina, and at her death, in 
1833, left three children by this second mar- 
riage — Andrew, Thomas, and Isabelle Brown. 
John Crawford, the Doctor's father, worked 
on the farm and attended school, like other 
boys. Starting at last for himself, he went 
to live in Bovina. He had four children — 
William Henry, Isabella, Robert, Jeannette. 
John Crawford died young, only thirty-three; 
but his widow, Mary A. Crawford, lived to be 
seventy-four. Like their forefathers, they 
were Presbyterians in religion. William H. 
Crawford was only eleven wiieu his father 
died, and had to begin self-support very 
young; but he worked hard summers, and 
went to the Delhi Academy in the winter, and 
was finally able to graduate at the New York 
College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1854. 
After a brief practice in Meredith he came to 
Griffin's Corners, where he obtained a large 
patronage during eight years. Thence he 
went to Andes, where he labored to great 
advantage for thirty-two years — in fact, until 
his death, at the age of sixty-five. The Doc- 
tor was Democratic in politics, and spent a 
year as Army Surgeon during the Rebellion. 
His wife died at the age of sixty, leaving 
three children: Margaret Anna, now Mrs. 
Lasher; and Mary and Jane, both living in 
the dear Andes home. The Crawfords, like 
their family predecessors, belonged to the 
Presbyterian church; and in this respect Mrs. 
Lasher is in sympathy with her sisters. 

To both the special subject of this sketch 
and to his father-in-law might be applied the 
words of that distinguished literary son of 
New York, Washington Irving, — 



" It is interesting to notice how some minds 
seem almost to create themselves, springing 
up under every disadvantage, and working 
their solitary but irresistible way through a 
thousand obstacles." 




UGH ADAIR, a member of the 
School Commission for the Second 
District of Delaware County, New 
York, was born in Kortright, De- 
cember 22, 1864, a son of William M. and 
Eliza (Black) Adair. His paternal grand- 
father, James Adair, was a native of Scotland, 
where he spent his early years, afterward 
going to Ireland, and thence to America. 
He was by trade a shoemaker, but upon his 
arrival in this country followed agricultural 
pursuits. He located in the town of Kort- 
right, and was a resident here until his death. 
He reared the following family: William M., 
Robert, James, Margaret, Nancy, Eliza, 
Mary, and Belle. 

William M. Adair was educated at the dis- 
trict schools, and made his home with his 
father until he was twenty-nine, when he 
purchased a farm of his own adjoining the old 
homestead, and resided there until 1892, then 
removed to Davenport, where he now lives, 
retired from active pursuits. His wife was 
the daughter of William Black, and was born 
in Ireland. Her parents had the following- 
named children: William, Robert, Hugh, 
Mary Jane, Eliza, and Margaret. The chil- 
dren of Mr. and Mrs. Adair are as follows: 
James; Elizabeth, the wife of J. L. Clark, of 
New York City: Margaret, the wife of James 
Henderson; William; Robert: Hugh; Ana- 
belle; John; and Leonard. 

Hugh Adair was educated in the district 
schools and Delaware Academy. He taught 
in the Bloomville village school for three 
years, and afterward took a course in Cole- 
man's Business College. Upon leaving col- 
lege he kept books for Mr. Cooper for about 
four months, and then returned to Davenport. 
He was elected School Commissioner in Sep- 
tember, 1893, for a three years term. He 
conducts the examination of applicants, and has 
the appointment of about two hundred and 
twenty-five teachers in Delaware County, and 



lUOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



(' ' 



is eminently fitted f<ir the ])()sition, being an 
able, courteous, and efficient Dffieei-. He is a 
member of the Republican part)-, and also of 
the I'resbvterian church at I\.ortiii;ht. 




,|l)\\l.\ II. HEICRS, a well-known citi- 
zen and retired business man of Han- 
cock, was horn in Walton. N.V., 
Inne 20, 1826. His grandfather, Ephraim 
Heers, came from England jirevious to the 
Revolutionarv War, and settled in l-'airfield. 
Conn., where the family lived at the time the 
town was burned by the l^ritish. After the 
war, in 1789, he moved to the section of 
Delaware County now occupied by the town 
of Walton. They were accompanied by three 
other families, and made the journey with ox- 
teams, the |-)ath being marked by bla/.cd trees. 
They settled on a tract of land extending from 
one branch of the Delaware River to the 
other; and here they erected log cabins, 
(ianie and fish were abundant, and fur- 
nished the greater part of the food of those 
early jiioneers. the nearest market being at 
ICaston, Pa. 

Hczekiah Beers, son of I'.])hi-aim, was bori-i 
in Fairfield, Conii.. and removed witj-i his par- 
ents to Walton when but nine years of age. 
He earlv began to work on the farm, and, as 
soon as he w-as old enough, also engaged in 
lumbering, helping to run one of the first 
rafts ever sent from Walton to I'hil.adelphia. 
The return joiu'ney was niade on foot with 
their jjurchases strapped to tl-ieir backs, 
and occupied three or four days. Hczekiah 
Heers married Cynthia Goodrich, daughter of 
Michael (loodrich, of Walton, and, disposing 
of his pro]K'rtv near the river, ])in-chased a 
farm on Dunk Hill in North Walton, where 
he resided for a time, and then sold out, and 
removed to Otego, Otsego County. He died 
there at the age of eighty-six years, having 
been a Democrat throughout his life. His 
wife passed away one year later, leaving nine 
children: l-"leanor, wife of Morris Gould, a 
farmer of Bridgeport, Conn.; Clarissa, who 
married Caleb Gosper, a farmer of .Southport, 
X.V.: Wakem:in, a farmer in Bolivar, Alle- 
gany County: I'hilo F.. a resident of Hancock 
until his death: Almeda, wife of Darius 



Dann, a farmer of Walton: Xelson. a tarnier 
in Deposit; Edwin H.. subject of this sketch; 
I'olly, who married Peter B.irlow, a larniei- in 
Walton; ;ind George, wh(.) was a ci\il engi- 
neer fif St. Eouis, and was with Geueial l-'re- 
mont for a time. He enlisted in the Cnion 
army fi-om Illinois, and was C.iptain of a com- 
pany, being shot through the heart w-hile 
leading his men against the rebels during 
-Sherman's march to the sea. 

Edwin H. P)eers attended the district schofd 
in his boyhood, and was of much hel]3 to his 
father at home. Having grown to manhood, 
he worked at farming in Otego, moving to 
Hancock in Eebru;ny. 1.S61. I'or seven years 
he was night agent at the railway station 
there, after which he was employed in various 
pursuits. He later started a wagon-hub fac- 
tory, which he continued for a number of 
)-ears, ami was \-ei'\- successful. He is now 
li\-ing practically retired from active busi- 
ness, and enjoying the fruits of his earlier 
labors and the esteem of the community. 

Januar\- 20, 185 >, he married Betsey 
-Smith, daughter of Ephr.iim and Betse_\- (Kim- 
bell) -Smith, of Unadilla. (Otsego Count}-, 
N.V.: and they Ikuc had three children: 
Emily, who died in infanc)-; (ieorge Iv. : and 
Nettie E. George IC, who was born in 
Otego, July 4, i860, and eilucated in Hancock 
.■\cadci-n\-, learned the i)rinler's trade, but en- 
tered the furniture business in June, 1890. in 
which he is still engaged. -August 3. 1892, 
he married Lillian C. Barlow, daughter of 
Peter anti Abigail J. (Beers) Barlow, of ]5eer- 
ston, in the town ol Walton. Mr. and .Mrs. 
George E. Beers have one daughter. Ruth G. 
Beers, born June 2, 1893. Mrs. (ieorge E. 
Beers graduated from the .State normal school 
in Oswego, X.Y.. and taught one year in 
K;uisas and later in the ICast and in Hancock. 
-She is a member of the Baptist and her hus- 
band of the Methodist church. He is a .Mas- 
ter Mason, A. E. & A. M.. No. 52, of Han- 
cock, and is a Re])ul)lican in politics. Net- 
tie E. lieers was born July 2, 1863, was edu- 
cated in Hancock Ac--ideni\-. and lived with 
her parents ur.lil her marriage. November 2S, 
1883, to IE W. Wagner, editor of the Han- 
cock Ihrald. -She is a member of the Metho- 
dist church. 



412 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 




"URACK H. CRARY, of Binghamton, 1 
Broome County, N.Y., was born 
August 29, 1824, in the town of 
Liberty, Sullivan County, N.Y. 
On the paternal side he is of Scotch descent, 
his ancestor, Peter Crary, having come from 
Scotland in 16S5, and settled in Groton, 
Conn., at the head of the Mystic River. 
Peter Crary's son Peter was born at Groton in 
i6yo; and his grandson, Nathan Crary, was 
born October 13, 17 17, and married Dorothy 
Wheeler, November 2, 1742. Their son 
Thomas was born October i, 1744, and mar- 
ried Mehitable Mason, January 9, 1772. 
Both the Wheelers and the Masons are well- 
known families in Connecticut; and many of 
their descendants, as well as the descendants 
of the Crary family, are still residents of that 
State, some of them being located near the 
old homestead, some at the village of Mystic, 
and others in different parts of the State. 

Thomas Crary, H. H. Crary's grandfather, 
was born January 11, 1775. In 1797 he mar- 
ried Polly Holmes, and about that time 
migrated to Albany County, New York, and 
from there to Chenango County. In 1800 he 
settled near the village of Liberty, in what 
was then the town of Lumberland, in the 
county of Leister, but is now in the town of 
Liberty, in the county of Sullivan. Soon 
afterward he leased, and subsequently bought, 
the farm about two miles from the village of 
Liberty, upon which some members of the 
family have ever since continued to reside, 
and which is now occupied by Mr. Crary's 
brother George. Thomas Crary represented 
Sullivan County in the State legislature in 
the year 1826, and was at one time chosen one 
of the Associate Judges of his county. 

Calvert Crary, Horace Crary's father, was 
.born August 11, 1798, and spent his life, 
which was not in a public way an eventful 
one, on the homestead near Liberty. A pros- 
perous farmer, the head of a large family, his 
business and his family fully occupied his 
time and attention. In March, 1823, he mar- 
ried Eliza Hill. He died at the age of 
eighty years; and his wife Itliza is still liv- 
ing, at the age of ninety. Six sons and two 
daughters survive him: Horace H.; J. M. 
Crary, of Jersey City; Thomas Crary, of 



Hancock, N.Y.; Mary A., wife of J. N. 
Young, of Liberty, N.Y. ; Dcnison Crary, 
of Vestal, N.Y. ; George Crary, of Liberty, 
N.Y.; Jerry Crary, of Sheffield, Pa.; and 
Mrs. Sarah A. Fisk, of Hancock. The aver- 
age weight of the six brothers is two hundred 
and twenty-four pounds, and their average 
height six feet and one and one-half inches. 

The early opportunities of Horace were not 
great, Sullivan County being yet largely in 
the backwoods, with only small settlements 
scattered here and there within its borders. 
Liberty was a thriving little village. l\Ionti- 
cello was twelve miles distant from Mr. 
Crary's home; and the nearest point of any 
importance was Newburg, more than fifty 
miles away. Horace attended the district 
school quite regularly from the time he was 
five until he became fifteen years of age, and 
from that time until he was twenty attended 
the district school in the winter, when there 
was nothing else with which to busy himself. 
He had a genius for figures, and early became 
master of all the intricacies of "Daboll's 
Arithmetic." As a trophy of his school-days, 
he still has a l)ook in which all the examples 
in the arithmetic are worked out in full. He 
was standing authority on these questions in 
the school, and was always referred to when 
the teacher lacked time or inclination to ex- 
plain. Sullivan County at that time abounded 
in game of all kinds. Wolves and bears were 
common through the town of Liberty, and 
deer plentiful. Wolves came out sometimes 
at night, and killed whole flocks of sheep. 
Foxes were also numerous; and one winter 
Mr. Crary broke the monotony of school life 
by catching twenty-three of them, and a large 
number of rabbits, trapping in the cold sea- 
son being both sport and business. He was a 
fleet-footed lad, and often recalls one fox- 
chase, after a light snow, when he succeeded 
in running Reynard down and capturing him. 
In the summer time he varied working on 
the farm with cattle droving, speculating, and 
selling goods by auction at the general train- 
ings. Sometimes in the winter he sold game 
and poultry in the markets of New York City. 
At that time he could obtain the privilege of 
standing in Washington Market during the 
day and selling his goods, on the payment of 



f.^.. .f ■. 



% 





BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



■I'S 



a sixpence for his stand. ,\t night lie could 
nail his j^roduCe up in a box, and le;i\e it 
with a watchman, who took charge of it with- 
out extra expense, llis business of huckster- 
ing at the trainings commenced wiien he was 
twelve or fourteen years old. One of his 
early speculations, which is remembered for its 
disappointment rather than for its ])rofit, was 
the purchase of a t|uantity of maple sugai- in 
small cakes in the spring, to be sold at the 
general trainings in the fall. He purchased 
eight dollars" worth, at an expense of two 
cents per cake. This, he estimated, would be 
worth in the fall four cents a cake; and his 
profit would thus be eight dollars. One day 
in summer he pried the cover from the box 
to taste the sugar; and the result was that 
before training-time the sugar was all gone, 
and the expected profit of eight dollars re- 
sulted in a net loss of eight dollars, or, 
rather, in an investment of eight dollars for 
the benefit of his sugar tooth. These sales at 
general trainings he was accustomed to follow 
up from day to da\', sometimes driving twentv 
miles after the close of one tlay's work to be 
really to open up business the next daw 

In 1846 the general trainings c'ased ; and 
from that time until i S50 he was engaged in 
the butcher business and in droving, buying 
cattle and sheep in Central \ew York, aiul 
di"i\'ing them to Sullivan Countv, and buving 
horses in Ohio and Canada, and bringing 
them East, and selling them. In his business 
transactions he early learned to rel\' upon him- 
self. His father's name was good in the sur- 
rounding country for a considerable amount, 
and this credit was loaned to Horace Ijy in- 
dorsement and otherwise; but the paper was 
always taken care of by Horace as faithfully 
as if it were the indorsement of a stranger, 
l-'urther than these good offices, he never had 
any assistance from home or elsewhere. In 
1847, in Chenango, Cortland, and some other 
counties, the farmers, tindiiig no market foi- 
their sheep, killed a great many of them for 
their hide and tallow. The pelt was worth 
about forty cents, the tallow was tried out, 
the rounds were salted for use, and the rest 
fed to the hogs. Thousands were disposed of 
in this way. About that time Mr. Crary pur- 
chased four hundred sheep a few miles from 



Oxford, at seventy-five cents per hc.io, .mo 
was allowed to take his pick of that numhi'r 
from a fiock of seven hundred sheep. This 
incident shows that the change in the times 
and the additional means of communication 
have not been altogether to the disadvantage 
of the Central Xew York farmer. Another 
incitlent related by Mr. Crary gives a good 
idea of the varying value or purchasing |)owcr 
ol money. On returning from Ohio with a 
drove of horses, he went ahead to find enter- 
tainment for the night. He stopjjcd at a good 
hotel: ami the landlord told him he would 
charge twelve and a half cents each for horses 
and men, and, as there were twenty-two horses 
and three boys, he would throw off a shil- 
ling, and keep the whole of them, giving 
the horses hay and oats and the boys supper, 
lodging, and breakfast, for three dollars. 

In 1850 Mr. Crary was elected .Supervisor 
of the town of Liberty, and performed the 
duties of the office for the year. In that year, 
1850, he went to Hancock, and, together with 
ICdson Gregory, John Havidge, Alva Gregory, 
and L. H. Allison, under the firm name of 
Allison, Gregory & Co., built a tannery on 
Sand's Creek, about two miles above Hancock 
village, afterward known as the Allisonville 
tannery. Soon after tlie commencement of 
the enterprise Edson Gregory died, Alva 
(Gregory sold out, and the firm name was 
changed to Allison. Davidge & Co. The 
Erie Railway had just been completed, and 
had opened up the Delaware \'allev to the out- 
; side world. Crary was now about twenty-six 
years of age. He felt that the business o'f his 
life had opened before him, and took hold of it 
with a pluck and energy that never (lagged or 
wa\-ered until many years afterward, when the 
partial loss of his sight called for a halt in 
the more active efforts of his life. In the 
woods where the bark was peeled, about the 
tannery, and everywhere else where the busi- 
ness interests of his firm called him, the 
effect of his industry, energy, and push was 
felt; and the business of the firm prospered. 
In October, 1S53, I\Ir. Crary was married 
to Polly Pnirr, of Liberty. Dame Fortune 
smiled on Horace Crary at various times dur- 
ing his business life and in manv ways, but 
never brighter or more propitiouslv than in 



4i6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



the selection of his companion for life. For 
whatever of success afterward came to him, 
either in his business life or in his home — 
and great success did indeed come — his com- 
panion is certainly entitled to her fair share 
of the credit. The home built by Mr. Crary, 
then at AUisonville, was occupied by him 
until October, 1885. 

In October, 1856, John Davidge sold his 
interest in the firm to Walter Horton; and 
the firm was then reorganized, under the name 
of Allison, Crary & Co., with Mr. Horton as 
junior partner. Davidge went to Lake Como, 
Wayne County, Pa., and, together with the 
new firm of Allison, Crary & Co., built a tan- 
nery there, a half-interest in which was owned 
by the firm at AUisonville. Next year came 
the panic of 1857. Few men who had any- 
thing to do with business matters at that time 
will ever forget it; and this firm, just begin- 
ning to realize from the work of the past five 
years, without sufficient capital to be inde- 
pendent, and with its indebtedness largely 
increased by reason of the building of the new 
tannery at Como, felt the full force of the 
storm. But these were men to bow before the 
blast, not break. They were just the men to 
make the utmost possible out of the means at 
their command. Despite the shrinkage in 
values and the general commercial distrust 
throughout the country, they continued to 
work on, accomplishing what they could, and 
hoping for better times in the near future. 
As if to try their mettle to the utmost. May 
10, 1862, just at the beginning of the war, 
when the business promise of the country was 
anything but bright, the tannery, together 
with a large stock of leather and bark, caught 
from a woods' fire, and was totally destroyed, 
the insurance covering only about one-third 
of the loss. To add to the discouragement 
and further embarrassment of the affairs of the 
partnership, about this time L. H. Allison 
became incapacitated for doing business by 
reason of an attack of some nervous disease, 
of which he shortly afterward died. But the 
insurance money was paid, the leather in the 
vats had been uninjured, some stock left in 
the out-buildings had been saved, the reputa- 
tion earned by the firm in the years that were 
past, their unquestioned integrity, business 



ability, and perseverance, which had become 
widely known, won for them friends; and, 
with the considerate and generous aid of Bul- 
lard & Co., of New York, they were enabled 
to go on with their business. The rapid ad- 
vance in prices in 1863, growing out of the 
inflation caused by the war and the- war 
methods of raising money, found them with 
their tannery full, their business pressed to 
its utmost capacity, and everything in hand to 
reap the largest advantage from the propitious 
change in the financial condition of the coun- 
try. They were thoroughly prepared for the 
change in the tide, and were carried by the 
flood to a financial success vi'hich, so far as 
Mr. Crary is concerned, has never since been 
weakened. 

In 1864 Mr. Horton sold liis interest in the 
firm to George H. Allison, and the business 
was then continued under the firm name of 
Allison & Crary. Walter Horton, when he 
left the firm at Hancock, after looking about 
for some time, accompanied his uncle, Webb 
Horton, of Orange County, New York, to 
Shefifield, Warren County, Pa., and purchased 
several thousand acres of real estate in War- 
ren, Forest, and McKean Counties. In 1866 
Mr. Crary purchased a one-third interest in 
these lands; and on November i, 1866, the 
firm of Horton, Crary & Co. was organized, to 
do business at Sheffield, Warren County, Pa. 
Next year they built the Sheffield tannery, 
and were actively at work. This venture 
proved the beginning of a very extensive and 
successful business, which has since grown to 
be one of the most prosperous in the State. 
Mr. Crary's youngest brother Jerry, who had 
been seriously wounded at the battle of Re- 
saca, Ga., in 1864, and who was now so far 
recovered as to be able to do some work, was 
soon afterward admitted into the partnership. 
He at once took a responsible part in the 
management of the growing business interest 
of the firm, and continued to be one of its 
most active and trusted members. 

Horton, Crary & Co. bought a controlling 
interest in the sole-leather tannery founded at 
Sheffield by J. F. Schoellkopf, of Buffalo. 
With this gentleman they formed an indepen- 
dent partnership, under the firm name of 
Schoellkopf, Horton & Co. Soon after Hor- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVfEVV 



■1'7 



ton, Crary & Co. associated tlicmsolvos witli 
John McNair and C. \V. R. Radikcr, and 
lnii!t what was called the Tionesta tannery. 
I'iiey also bought the Hiookston tanner\', sit- 
uated eight miles from .Sheffield, and started 
under the firm name of the I'orest Tanning 
ConTjiany. Later they purchased the Arroyo 
tannery, at Arroyo, on the Clarion ]\i\-er, FAk 
County, I'ennsyh'ania. The firm built the 
Tionesta \'alley Railroad, which oi^ened uj) 
connection with the I'ittsburg & Western 
Railroad. Later the firm bought the Chrriy 
Grove & Garfield Railroad, and controlled and 
operated about seventy-fi\'e miles of roads and 
switches, of special service to its own busi- 
ness in moving lumber and bark, and of great 
value to the region through which it runs for 
trans])orting [lassengers as well as freight. 
In 1S75, ujwn the death of .Mr. McNair, his 
interest in the business was sold to Messrs. 
Isaac Morton, George Horton, and (ieorge 
Dickenson. In 1886 Mr. Dickenson sold out 
his interest to James H. Horton and Lane H. 
Schofield. 

In 1875 II. 11. Crary, William H. Garrett, 
James Horton, and b'dson Davidgc, under the 
firm name of Crar\-,' (iarrctt. Horton & Co., 
bitilt a tannery at Westfield, Tioga County, 
La. William H. Garrett died in Kovemlier. 
1876. The firm was soon after reorganized 
under the firm name of H. H. Crary & Co., 
W'altcr Horton, of .Sheffield, taking an inter- 
est. In 1 88 I II. H. Crary & Co., associated 
with Messrs. W. ("r. Garrett and L. R. John- 
son, built the Harrison \'alley tannery at 
Harrison Valley, La., taking the firm name of 
W'alter Horton & Co. Horton, Crary & Co. 
started a leather exporting house at 78 Gold 
-Street, New- ^'ork Cit\'; and afterward Hor- 
ton, Crary & Co., 11. II. Crary & Co., and 
Walter Horton & Co., under the firm name of 
Walter Horton & Co., opened a leather house 
at 107 South Street, Hoston. Mass. In i8SS 
Mr. Crary, in connection with Walter Hor- 
ton, James Horton, Walter G. Garrett, li. (i. 
Davidgc, and L. R. Johnson, purchased the 
tannerv at -Salamanca, X.Y., and organized 
voider the firm name of James Horton & Co. 
To add to the business interests at Sheffield, 
about 1875 petroleum was found in large 
quantities upon the premises; and the oil \ 



interest became one of tlie business matters 
1 of the firms. About the time of the discn\L-ry 
' of oil, natiu'al gas was fmind in ainindanee; 
and all the light and he.it necessarv fnr do- 
mestic and mechanical purposes abunt .Slief- 
field and its \icinity have since been furnished 
b\- the gas wells located upon the i)remises. 
15oth oil and gas have added largeh' to the 
tinancial success of the busiinss at .Sheffield. 
In 1873 II. H. Crary, with his brother, 
Denison Crar\', and Amos L. Hall, built the 
Hancock mills, near Hancock village, Dela- 
ware Count)', N.Y., and run them under the 
firm name of Crary, Hall & Co. Hall after- 
ward sold out to the other partners, and the 
firm name then became Denison Crary li' Co. 
In ,\[)ril, 1881, Denison Crary sold out to 
Denison I'isk, his brother-in-law; and the 
lirm name was changed to I'isk & Crai\'. 

X'arious changes have occurred in the firm 
at .Allisonville. Thomas Crary purchased an 
interest some years since: and then William 
.•\. llall and W. I-". .Stimpson became mem- 
bers <)! the firm. Later Roscoe Crarv, 
Thomas Crary's son, purchased the interest of 
Denisciu ('rary. The firm sid5set|uentlv be- 
came the owners of the grist-mills at Hancock 
village, which now for some years have been 
run b\- the same men who ojjcrated the tan- 
nery, but imder the name of Crary. Hall & 
Co. The business at Allisonville has been 
for some time conducted under the firm name 
of Crar\- Hrotbei-s, II. H. Crary retaining an 
interest in the business through all its 
changes. 

L'p to the fall of 1876 Mr. Crary was one of 
the most energetic ami active Inisiness men 
in the country. His hand and his head were 
felt in every business interest with which he 
was connected. No one stirred earlier, no 
one worked later. From the years of his bo\'- 
hood until the day of the Presidential election 
in 1876, be had scarcely known what it was to 
be sick, and had never known what it was to 
be incapacitated for business for anv length of 
time. Returning home from a hard dav's 
work at the j'lolls, his eyes, until then seem- 
ingly pc'rfect, began to pain him: and before 
the beginning of the new year he was threat- 
ened with blindness. Like a bolt out of a 
clear sk\-, this threatened calamity almost im- 



4i8 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



nerved him; but soon the old will got the 
mastery, and he resolved to make the best of 
it, as he must, and accomplish what he might 
be spared to do. Consulting the best oculists 
in the country, he was informed that he must 
break loose from his direct and active connec- 
tion with his business affairs, and that to do 
so it would be better for him to leave home 
for a time. After passing the winter of 1877 
and 1878 in Florida, in May, 1878, he, to- 
gether with his wife and his daughter Emma, 
now the wife of J. C. Young, of Liberty, 
sailed for Europe, where they spent a con- 
siderable part of the year, celebrating the 
Fourth of July at Interlaken. At Mr. Crary's 
suggestion the stars and stripes were hoisted 
above all other flags, and during that anniver- 
sary day floated over them all. The next 
season he made a trip to California, and since 
then has been quite a traveller. In 1885 he 
removed to the city of Ringhamton, where he 
continues to reside. He has never fully re- 
covered his sight, and for that reason has been 
unable to take an active part in the business 
of the several firms with which he is con- 
nected ; but he has never ceased to be a coun- 
sellor, guide, friend, and organizer, and there 
has been no time in which his experience, 
ability, and energy have not been felt in the 
conduct of tlie business. 

In the sjiring of 1891 Mr. Crary"s son Cal- 
vert, who is connected with the leather house 
at 107 South Street, Boston, Roscoc Crary, 
of Hancock, N.Y., a nephew of H. H. Crary, 
J. C. Young, of Liberty, N.Y., his son-in- 
law, and several other parties, purchased about 
fifteen thousand acres of land in Wyoming and 
Sullivan Counties, Pennsylvania, with the in- 
tent to open up another large tanning and 
lumber business. While H. H. Crary had no 
direct interest in this enterprise, yet in the 
purchase of the property and the planning for 
the opening up of the business both his ! 
counsel and his capital were largely relied ' 
upon. 1 

In the autumn of 1892 Mr. Crary was asso- j 
ciated with nine tanning firms and the milling 
firm at Hancock. The out]iut of the combined 
tannery interest was about four thousand sides I 
of sole leather daily, requiring two thousand 
hides, and using about one hundred thousand [ 



cords of bark per year. The firm of Horton, 
Crary & Co. had acquired a very large export 
trade, which in 1888, to Europe alone, com- 
prised twenty-four and three-fourths per cent, 
of all the leather which went out of the port 
of New York. In the winter and spring of 
1893 a great change took place in the tanning 
business. The greater part of the tanners and 
leather men agreed to combine their interests, 
and their various properties were conveyed to 
several corporations by which the business is 
to be carried on. Mr. Crary and his asso- 
ciates took an active part in bringing about 
the change, and all of their properties have 
been conveyed to these corporations. The 
direct personal control of the men who had 
organized and operated these vast business en- 
terprises has ceased, and their influence and 
power can now only be used and felt as the 
officers of a corporation. 

During his business life Mr. ("rary has been 
associated with about twenty-five partners, 
none of whom have ever become seriously em- 
barrassed or failed to pay their debts. A 
large number of these partners, including 
some of the most successful ones, have been 
young men whose early business training has 
been under Mr. Crary's direct influence. 
His success has not been a business success 
alone, but his influence as a sober, upright, 
and industrious business man has been felt far 
and near. Over the young men connected 
with him in business, in his employ, or asso- 
ciated with himself and family, Mr. Crary's 
influence for good has been such as few men 
have been able to exert. The success which 
he has attained as a business man has imques- 
tionably been to some extent the result of 
good fortune; but its real secret is to be 
found in himself — his superior qualifications 
for conducting vast enterprises, his keen in- 
telligence, energy, and close application, his 
combined daring and prudence, his self-reli- 
ance and power of organization — these, with 
his strict sense of justice, his honorable 
methods of dealing. 

Mr. and Mrs. Crary have had five children 
born to them, all of whom are living. The 
eldest daughter, Mrs. J. C. Young, resides at 
Liberty, N.Y. The eldest son, Thomas B., 
and two daughters, Grace and Mary, live with 



P.IOCK A PI II CM, Rl'A'IFAV 



■119 



tlicir parents in tlic city of Hinghamton. The 
olhoi son, Calvert, wiio prior to the recent 
chani;c was a member of the firm of Walter 
Hortoii & Co., at 107 Soutli Street, Boston, 
Mass., is still connected with the business 
there. Mi". C"rary and his wife are members 
of tlie Methodist I^jMscopal church. Their 
influence and their means have been widel\- 
felt in church interests and charities, both at 
home and abroad; while their home itself is 
an inspiration and a benediction to all who 
may be so hapjiy as to fall within the ciicle of 
its influence. 

The excellent steel-en^^raved portrait of Mr. 
Crary which accompanies this sketch and adds 
to its interest will be recop;nized as the like- 
ness of a man of character and ability, one 
who has done well by his fellow-men, and 
whom thev delight to honor. 



-AMKS S. .McLAURV, M.D., an old 
settler of Walton, Delaware County, 
N.Y., was born in the town of Kort- 
light, October 9, 181 5, his jxirenls 
being Matthew and Margaret (Riggs) Mc- 
Laughry. The longer s]xdling of the name 
is historically correct, having been used by 
the earlier generations. The abbreviated 
form was adopted by the Doctor's father late 
in life. The home of the McLaughrys for 
many generations was in Scotland, but between 
1600 and 1630 some of the family emigrated 
to Ireland. Here on July 12, 1690, an ear- 
lier Matthew I\IcLaughry, the Doctor's great- 
great-grandfather, took part under the banner 
of King William in the decisive battle of the 
Boyne. Troublous times both preceded and 
followed this event; and at length, after suf- 
fering innumerable hardships, these Scottish 
colonists, des[)airing of justice from the gov- 
ernment, abandoned the country, and emi- 
grateil In' thousands to America, eventually 
becoming the most determined enemies of 
luiglanil in the W'ar of the Revolution. 

Matthew McLanghry decided to come hither 
with his entire family, twenty-five persons in 
all, including children and grandchildren, 
and with a large number of his friends joine<l 
the compaiu' known as the Clinton colon)'. 
On May 9, 1729, they left their home in 



Longford; and on the iSlh they embarked at 
Dublin on board the ship named the "George 
and Ann," the infamous Captain Rymer in 
command. .Setting sail on the 20th, thev 
came I'ound on the north-east coast of Ireland, 
and on the 24th came to (jlen Ann, where 
Matthew McLanghry and wife, Margaret 
Parks, on account of the infirmities of age 
and ill health, decided to abandon the \'oy- 
age. and with his daughter .Sarah an<l 
youngest son, Thomas, left the ship, and re- 
turned to Longford. Matthew, buying back 
from his brother-in-law, Mattlu'W Parks, part 
of his old liome, resided there till his death. 
His family consisted of four sons, Andrew, 
.Matthew, Jr., Joseph, and Thomas, and five 
daughters, one of whom married a McDowell. 
After a protracted \'oyage of nearly five 
nionths, land was sighted at Cape Cod, Octo- 
ber 4, when the wretched survivors, reduced 
to almost the last extremity through sickness 
and star\'atioii. obtained of the captain (a 
treacherous villain, as they believed) per- 
mission to land, though their iritended 
destination was Philadelphia. Matthew Mc- 
Dowell, a grandson, who becanie the ancestor 
of the McD(.well family in Orange County, 
New York, was the only surxivor of the 
twentv-one members of the family who prose- 
cuted the vovage; and there were in all 
ninety-six deaths on lioard that ill-fated ship. 
.'\fter spending the winter at Cape Cod, where 
a number more were added during the winter 
to the list of the dead, the siu'vivors came on 
to New \'ork, and. olitaining land at and near 
near Little Britain, in L'lster, now Orange. 
Count)', the)' settled there in the spring of 

'731- 

Thomas McLanghry, the youngest son of 
Mattlunv, married Margaret .Swift; and in 
1765, thirty-six )'ears after his j^revious vent- 
ure, emigrated with his family, including his 
wife, foiu" sons, Matthew, Richard, Andrew, 
and Thomas, Jr., and three daughters, Mary 
Ann (Mrs. lulward Riggs), Agnes (Mrs. John 
Watson), 'Tid Margaret (Mrs. James Savage). 

! After a voxage of two months they arrived in 
New York on November 13. .At this time 
lulward Riggs, who had marrietl the eldest 

I daughter, Mar\' Ann, anil had crossed the 
Atlantic a vear or two before, was engaged in 



42 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



teaching a classical school in Esopus, where 
his wife and the rest of the family joined 
him. Their father, however, and his eldest 
son, Matthew, on their way up the river, 
stopped off from the sloop at New Windsor, 
to visit the father's nephew Matthew, named 
above, and others of his old friends belonging 
to the Clinton colony. In the spring of 
1766, after spending the winter in Esopus, 
the family went to Little Britain, settling on 
a farm belonging to John Reid, and the next 
year removed to a farm near the Wallkill 
meeting-house, belonging to George Monell. 
In the spring of 1768, having purchased a lot 
of about one hundred acres of new land on the 
south side of the Battenkill, near Fitch's 
Point, in Salem, Washington County, Thomas 
McLaughry, with his family, left Wallkill on 
May 17, and, after a tedious journey through 
an almost unbroken wilderness, reached their 
forest home, where he spent the remaining 
years of his life, dying about 1772. 

Andrew McLaughry married Elizabeth Har- 
sha; and his brother, Thomas, Jr., married 
her sister, Agnes Harsha. These ladies were 
daughters of Elder James Harsha, who came 
from Monaghan, Ireland, to this country in 
1764, with the large number of emigrants who 
accompanied Dr. Thomas Clark, father of 
Judge Ebenezer Clark, of Argyle. Thomas 
McLaughry, Jr., settled about 1784 in Kort- 
right, Delaware County, at that time an almost 
unbroken forest. For a part of the distance 
they were obliged to clear the way and make 
a road, such as they could, through the woods 
to their isolated and lonely dwelling-place. 
Few in these (kiys can appreciate the toils 
and trials of the brave pioneers who made 
their homes in the wilderness, and here laid 
the foundations of the comforts and advantages 
enjoyed by their descendants. The elder Mc- 
Laughrys did no small part of the work in 
Kortright. Richard and Andrew, two of the 
other bi'others, came on a few years after 
Thomas; and the three brothers together, 
ha\'ing large families, made up for some time 
a large part of the population of the town. 
Thomas and Agnes McLaughry were the par- 
ents of the following children: Joseph and 
James IL, of Kortright, the latter born in 
1777; John R., born 1779; William IL, who 



died at Harpersiield in 1874, in his ninety- 
third year; Thomas P., a resident of Kort- 
right; Matthew, born 1790, died in Kortright 
in 1874; Edward R., born in 1792; Mary, 
who married Joseph Douglas; Martha, wife of 
John Leal, who first settled in Kortright, and 
later at I'2ast Meredith, where she died; 
Sarah, who died in early womanhood. 

Matthew McLaury, father of Dr. James S. 
McLaury, of Walton, was educated at the 
common schools of Kortright, his native 
town. He was a man of much ability and in- 
fluence, upright and honorable, holding vari- 
ous official positions which he filled with 
credit, being a Justice of the Peace many 
years, and also Deputy Sheriff of the county. 
He was a Deacon and Elder of the Presbyte- 
rian church, and in politics he was a Demo- 
crat. He was married in 18 14 to Miss 
Margaret Riggs, daughter of Erod Riggs and 
Mary A. (Savage) Riggs, of Argyle, Wash- 
ington County, who was born in 1792. They 
became the parents of eleven children, the 
eldest of whom is James S., the subject of 
this sketch. The second, Thomas S. Mc- 
Laury, died in infancy. Thomas D., born 
1 8 19, married Margaret Louden. Edward R. 
married Sarah Youngs, and both died in Illi- 
nois. William M., a physician in New 
York, married Miss Margaret King. John 
N., born in 1833, enlisted in the One 
Hundred and Forty-fourth New York Volun- 
teer Infantry, and died from fever contracted 
in the service at Hilton Head, S.C., in 1864. 
Walter T. married Caroline Marvin, and re- 
sides at the old homestead at Kortright. 
Two other sons also died in infancy. Of the 
daughters, Martha A. died at the age of 
twenty -eight, and Mary E. married James D. 
McGillivrae, of Stamford, and died near 
Bloomville in 1885, at the age of sixty. 

James S. McLaury obtained his preparatory 
education chiefly in the common schools of his 
native town and in select schools — one 
taught by the Rev. Melancthon B. Williams, 
the other by the Rev. William McAvley. 
He also attended the Delaware Academy at 
Delhi. In 1835 he entered Union College, 
where he was graduated in the class of 1838. 
He began the study of medicine the same year 
with Dr. Ezra T. Gibbs, of Kortright, and 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



121 



alterwai'd cntcrcil tlic office of Dr. James II. 
McLaury, of New York City, and vvliile tliere 
took a cour.se in the (."olle^je of I'hysicians and 
Surgeons. In 1842 he came to \\'allon, and 
formed a partnership with Ur. T. J. Ogden 
for one year, and was afterw.iid at Mast 
Worcester, Otsego County, from June, 184^ 
until Novemlier, 1845, when lie returned Id 
Walton, and foUowetl the practice of his pi'o- 
fession in this town until r88o, when he le- 
tired from active practice and moved to 
Vonkers, where he li\'ed until his wife's death 
in 1S90, since which time he has resided with 
his children. 

Dr. Mcl.aury was married Septemher 5. 
1843, to .Miss IClizaheth II. Mead, a daughter 
of Allan and Mary (Smith) AK;ul. 15y this 
imion six children were horn. The ekiest, 
William I'., horn March 15, 1845, a practis- 
ing physician in New York City, a graduate 
of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
married Theodora J. Ingersoll, daughter of 
Dr. Leonard and Julia (Day) Ingersoll. The 
second son was horn and died in 1846. lul- 
ward, born June 18, 1854, is a teller in the 
Chemical National Hank, New York. Maria 
K., horn Ai)ril 17, 1848, married the Rev. 
Charles V. Janes, a rreshylerian minister re- 
siding at Onondaga \'alley. Martha, born in 
1850, became the wife of A. D. Pe:ike, ami 
tiled in 1883. Sophia C born April S, 185J, 
married Herbert B. (Gardner, and lives in 
Minneapolis. 

Dr. Mcl.aury was long a member of the 
Delaware County Medical .Society, and has 
held the office of President and Secretarv, ant! 
was also a delegate to the .State Medical .Soci- 
ety. He has also taken an actiw p;irl in 
educational matters, having been for se\eral 
years superintendent of schools in Walton. 
He was one of the founders of the Walton 
Academy, and a member of the Board of Trus- 
tees. The Di)ctor was one of the organizers 
of the Reiiublican parts' in 1856, but has 
"lately chosen," as he says, "to train jjoliti- 
cally with the slandered Prohibitionists." 

Dr. McLaury, who has iidierited from his 
Scotch-Irish ancestr\- both strong ami pleasing 
traits of character, and who has jxissed manv 
years of his life in the active ]jursuit of his 
profession, is a man of interesting pers^mal- 



it_\', genial and companionable, [lussessed of 
excellent conversational powers, and is iri the 
full enjoyment of a physical and mental vigor 
which years have not impaired. 



('^V01I^s CILVPMAN, a prosperous farmei 
of Ci»lchester, in Delawaie County, 
was born in Fallsl)urg, .Sullivan 
Count)-, N.Y., July 22, 1829. His 
fathei', I'JKis Cha]iman, remox'ed to P'allsburg 
from .Schoharie County when he was twenl)' 
years old, and engaged in farming and lum- 
bering. He served as a private in the War 
of 1812. He married Nancy Joshlin, daugh- 
ter i)f David Joshlin, who had by his first 
wife se\en children — David, Nelson, Ceorge, 
Jones, Joseph, Nancy, antl Katie and by his 

ildren - - I lenry and 



second 



two 



Amanda. On the banks 
as the Heaver Kill, Mr. 



of the river known 
Joshlin bought one 



hundred acres of lanti, on which he erected 
his buildings, and was \-ery successful as a 
farmei'. He was a [irivate in the Revolution- 
ary War, and when he returned home lived 
on his farm till his death at the age of eighty 
years. Tn Lnos ami Nancy Chapman were 
liorn tlu'se children, namely: Abigail, who 
is now d(.';id : Luc\', who married J. Reed, a 
cabiiiet-makei of \\'esttield; Katie, who mar- 
ried II. Corgan, a farmer of Colchester; 
David, who marrietl L. Chapman, and is now 
dead; Harnett, Jones, Jane, .Mahila Ann, 
Rufus, all of whiun are now dead; and Ai-- 
nold, a farmer of Colchestei', who married !■",. 
Robinson. Paios was a Whig in politics. 
He li\e(l u|)i)n his farm in I-'allsburg the 
gieater part of his life, but tinall\' sold his 
homestead, and spent the rest of his tlays with 
his son, d_\ing at the advanced age of eightv 
years, his wife surviving him a short time. 

John Chapman was educated and grew to 
manhood in his native town. Leaving iionie 
at the age of nineteen, he went to Merton 
Hill, where he bought one hundred and fort\'- 
two acres of new land, which he cleared, and 
i>\\ which lie erected buildings, and estab- 
lished his home. He married Mary, daughter 
of Matthew and Jean (Camiibell) Russell, her 
father being a jirosperous farmer ami lumber- 
man of Colchester. r^Ir. and Mrs. Russell 



422 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 




had a family of ten children. The five now 
living are Robert, Matthew, John, Elizabeth, 
and Mary. The five deceased are William, 
Stephen, Isabella, Jennett, and James. 

John Chapman is a stanch Republican, and 
is active in many of the political affairs of the 
town, in which he has for some time held the 
position of Constable. For forty-two years 
he has lived upon the farm which he first pur- 
chased, conducting a large dairy, and also 
keeping sheep. His farm is situated on the 
mountain side, and his residence commands a 
beautiful view of the surrounding country, in- 
cluding hills and mountains twenty and thirty 
miles away. The place is much admired by 
visitors. 



'TEPHEN J. RIFENBARK occu- 
pies the farm in Sidney, Delaware 
County, to which he removed with 
his father when but a lad of ten 
years, in 1829, and may therefore be consid- 
ered an old resident of the town. He was 
born in Newark, Wayne County, N.Y., on 
May 7, 1S19, son of George and Catharine 
(Petti bone) Rifenbark, both natives of Scho- 
harie County. His grandfather, Adam Rifen- 
bark, who was one of the pioneer farmers of 
the county, living there for several years, 
died at a good old age in Niagara County. 
He had seven children, all of whom grew to 
maturity, but are all now deceased. 

George Rifenbark, one of the sons of Adam, 
and father of Stephen J., was a farmer, and 
pursued his vocation first in his native 
county, where he remained some years after 
his marriage, and then successively in Dela- 
ware and Wayne Counties, finally, in 1829, 
removing to Sidney. The farm which he here 
purchased contained a log house, and had 
been partly cleared, but was still mostly 
covered with timber, and some deer still 
remained in the depths of the forest. Mr. 
Rifenbark was an energetic pioneer, a man of 
high moral principles, toiling diligently to 
reclaim a farm from the wilderness, and doing 
his best to uproot noxious practices in the 
community, and displant seeds of error, being 
strongly opposed to the use of intoxicating 
liquor, and an active temperance worker. In 



religion he was a Methodist, and in politics a 
Jacksonian Democrat. Being early called to 
part with his wife Catharine, who died when 
she had scarcely reached middle life, he was 
married again to Mrs. Lucy Rodgers, and 
died at the age of sixty-three years, survived 
by his second wife and six of his seven 
children. 

Stephen J., the fourth son, who is the sub- 
ject of the present sketch, is the only one of 
the family now living. His brothers and 
sisters were: Adam, Peter, Jacob, Polly, 
Sally, and Catharine. His opportunities for 
education in the district schools were very 
meagre, as his help was early needed on the 
farm. He gave his time to his father until 
twenty-one years of age, and after that con- 
tinued working for him and receiving wages 
as a hired laborer. Coming into possession 
of the homestead by paying off the other heirs 
after his father's death, he continued its man- 
agement, his step-mother keeping house for 
him as long as he remained single. 

Mr. Rifenbark has been twice married. 
His first wife, Hannah A. Mack, of Harpers- 
field, with whom he was united September 
15, 1850, died April 17, 1863. He was 
again married, September 18, 1867, to Mary 
J. Thompson, of New Berlin, N.Y., who was 
bcrn August 16, 1840, daughter of Asa and 
Betsy (Adams) Thompson. Her father was 
born in the town of Butternuts, Otsego 
County, 1808. He worked at the trade of 
tanner and shoemaker in Otsego County, and 
later in Cortland County, where he resided 
some years, whence he came to Delaware 
County, and was for several years engaged in 
farming in Masonville. He went from there 
to South New Berlin, and finally removed 
thence to Virginia, and became a landed pro- 
prietor in the State. In politics he was a 
Democrat, and a Baptist in religion. He 
died in Virginia in 1874. His first wife, 
Betsy Adams, was born in Cortland County in 
181 1, and died in 1859, leaving six children, 
namely: Edward Thompson, who resides in 
Boston; Frances, Mrs. John Rider, residing 
in Sidney; Harriet, Mrs. Mason Boult, living 
in Steuben County, New York; Helen, wife of 
Phineas Smith, who is employed in the Post- 
oflfice Department in Washington, D.C. ; Mrs. 



RIOGRAPIIICAL REVIEW 



^-^^^ 



Rifcnbark; and Almiia, wife of Arthur rayiic, 
of Kingston, Mich. Hy iiis second wife ho 
had one daughter, Jennie, wife of Dr. L. K. 
Dickson, of South Xew Berlin. B\- his first 
marriage Mr. Rifenbark had five children, 
only one of whom, I-'retl Rifenbark, a farmer 
in Sidney, who was born in 1857, is now liv- 
ing. B\' his last marriage he has one daugh- 
ter, Etta, born June 6, 1873. 

Mr. Rifenbark owns two farms, one of two 
hundred acres, which is occupied by his son, 
and the homestead of ninety-six acres, on 
which he lives in a commodious, comely resi- 
dence built by himself. A man of intlustri- 
ous habit ami of good, practical sense, he has 
earned every dollar's worth of his property, 
and is wiilely known as a clear-headetl and 
successful farmer, a citizen of integrity, ca- 
pable, and well fitted to fill the important 
otTice to which he has more than once been 
called — that of Assessor. In politics he is a 
Democrat. He and his wife are not members 
of any chuirh, but are liberal in their relig- 
ious views, and exemplary in their lives, 
practising human kindness and believing in 
"love eternal, fixed in God's unchanging 
will." 




ILLIAM ?iIcDO\Al.l), a retired 
merchant, was foi- upward of 
twoscore years a sustantial and 
well-known representative of the mercantile 
interests of Delaware County, and one of the 
most honored and successful business men of 
the village of Davenport. He is a keen, 
practical man, gifted with mental and physi- 
cal vigor: and his life record, in home, 
social, business, and political circles, has 
been irre])roachable. Mr. McDonald is of 
Scotch antecedents, and one of Delaware 
Count}"s native citizens, having been born 
January 15, 1835, in the town of Stamford, 
on the home farm of his parents, Duncan and 
Eada (Wickham) McDonald. His grand- 
father McDonald came to this country at an 
earl)' j^eriod of its settlement, and. taking up 
a tract of unini])roved land in Stamford, ener- 
getically began the work of preparing it for 
tillage. After living there a few years, his 
improvements ranked with the best in the 



vicinity; and the work thus l)e,:;un he con- 
tinued as long as he lived. He reared three 
children — Angus, Nancy, and Duncan. 

Duncan McDonald was the )'oungest child 
of the i)arental household, of which he re- 
mained a member until attaining his majority, 
attending the district school in the winter 
season, and working on the farm at other 
times. He subsequently purchased an ad- 
joining farm, on which he and his good wife 
spent the greater part of their remaining 
years. They were both members of the I'res- 
byterian church, and were universally re- 
spected. The\- reared the following children: 
Margery; Angus; John; Dunbar; Gideon; 
Duncan; Andrew; Nancy, who married John 
Copley, a farmer of Davenport; Hannah, the 
wife of I'erry Buts, a carriage manufacturer of 
Davenport; and William. 

So well did William McDonald in his boy- 
hood improve his opportunities for study in 
the schools of Fergusonville and at the l-"rank- 
lin .Seminary that at the early age of sixteen 
years he was well titled for the position of 
teacher in the district school, an occupation 
in which he was engaged until twenty years 
oUl. In 1855 he made a trip to California, 
anil for ten years thereafter was engaged in 
mining in that State. The major part of that 
time was silent in Nevada Count}', where he 
took an acli\'e part in local affairs, serving for 
some time as Justice fif the Peace. Return- 
ing to New York, Mr. ^^cDonald prepared 
himself for a business career by entering the 
commercial college in Albany, from which he 
was graduated after taking the full course of 
study. Removing to Davenport, he then 
bought the store of Colonel Goodrich, which 
he conducted with signal ability and success 
for many years, graduall}' increasing the capac- 
ity of the store and enlarging the business, 
his honest methods of dealing and his cordial 
and friendly wa_\'s attracting an extensive 
patronage. Owing to the invalidism of his 
wife, Mr. McDonald retired from active busi- 
ness, and has since lived in comparative leis- 
ure in the beautiful residence which he built 
in 1883. He has, however, since dealt to a 
considerable extent in real estate, buying and 
selling village property. 

^^r. McDonald was married in 1868 to J\Iiss 



424 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Mima Wickham, the daughter of John Wick- 
ham, of Harpersficld, a prosperous farmer, 
and a representative of one of the old Quaker 
families of that town, his father having been 
a noted Quaker preacher. On April 2, 1894, 
Mrs. McDonald, after many years of patient 
suffering, passed to the higher life, leaving in 
the hearts of her friends a pleasant memory of 
her cheerful presence. 

Mr. McDonald is a prominent member of 
the Masonic fraternity, being a Master 
Mason, and formerly Master of Charlotte 
River Lodge, No. 593, of Davenport. He is 
a stanch Republican, and takes an active part 
in local affairs, having served as Postmaster 
eighteen years, and as Supervisor four terms. 
Although not an attendant of any church, he 
is in sympathy with the religious and moral 
advancement of his community, and contrib- 
utes liberally to the support of all the 
churches. 




POLLOCK ROWLAND, a prominent 
representative of the farming and 
dairying interests of the town of Wal- 
ton, possesses one of its model homesteads, 
which is pleasantly situated in that part of 
the town called East Brook. Here he has an 
extensive and valuable farm, which is espe- 
cially adapted to the raising of grain and 
stock, and which in its appointments and 
improvements will compare favorably with 
any in its vicinity, being a credit to his 
industry and good management, and a pleas- 
ing feature of the landscape. Mr. Howland 
is one of the most promising of Walton's 
native-born citizens, and has resided on the 
farm which he now occupies since the date of 
his birth, April 9, 1861. He is of sturdy 
pioneer ancestry, his great-grandfather, Phin- 
eas Howland, who was a native of Long 
Island, having come to Delaware County in 
the early days of its settlement. He pur- 
chased a tract of unimproved land in the town 
of Hamden, and there erected a log house, in 
which he and his family lived for many years. 
Elias Butler Howland, son of Phincas, was 
born in the town of Hamden, and there spent 
a large part of his life. He remained on the 
parental homestead until attaining his major- 



itv, when he began farming on his own 
account. He afterward bought land, and en- 
gaged in mixed husbandry until his decease. 
The maiden name of his wife was Fannie 
Mallory, and to them were born eight chil- 
dren. 

The date of the birth of Edwin R. How- 
land, the next in line, was 1830. He was 
reared on the farm of his grandfather How- 
land, educated in the district schools of Ham- 
den, and at an early age began life for 
himself, working on a farm by the month. 
Having acquired a practical knowledge of 
agriculture, he rented land and engaged in 
farming on shares for a year, then purchased 
the farm where his son now lives. Prosper- 
ing in his labors as a tiller of the soil, he 
bought other land, and erected more commo- 
dious and convenient buildings. His farm, 
three and one-half miles from the village of 
Walton, contained three hundred acres of 
fertile land; and in connection with its man- 
agement he operated a feed-mill and carried 
on an extensive dairy business. 

He was called from this life in the midst 
of his usefulness, dying in 1888, at the age 
of fifty-eight years. A well-informed man, of 
sound judgment, he took an active interest in 
local affairs, and served as Road Commis- 
sioner for many years. He married Margaret 
A. McDonald, the daughter of Archibald R. 
and Jeanette (Smith) McDonald, the former 
of whom was killed by being thrown from a 
wagon one Sunday, while going to church, 
and the latter dying at the home of his son 
Roderick. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald reared a 
family of seven children, as follows: Robert; 
Catherine; Jane, who married John Hender- 
son; Mary, who married Amos Plnsign, and 
is now deceased ; David ; Roderick ; and Mar- 
garet. Of the union of Edwin Howland and 
Margaret McDonald six children were born, 
namely: Elias B. ; Fanny J.; T. Pollock; 
Edgar R. ; Ella, who died when ten years 
old; and Owen L. Mrs. Howland is still 
living, making her home with her daughter in 
the village of Walton. 

T. Pollock Howland received a common- 
school education, and until the death of his 
father assisted him in the care of the home 
farm, becoming well versed in agriculture. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



425 



He has since, with the assistance of his 
brother Owen, tai^en the farm, and, assuming 
its management, has continued the improve- 
ments and enlarged its business. He makes 
a specialty of dairying, i<eeping about one 
hunch-ed head of cattle and several horses, 
cutting sufficient hay for their use. He and 
his brother are following in the footsteps of 
their honored sire, and have already acquired 
a substantial reputation as farmers of signal 
ability, ever ready to do their part as loyal 
and worthv citizens. 

In 1890 Mr. Ilowland was unitetl in mar- 
riage with Lydia Patterson, a ilaughter of 
James and Mary (Neale) Patterson; and they 
are the happy parents of one child, a son, who 
was born on November 17, 1894. Mrs. How- 
land's father, formerly a farmer, is now liv- 
ing, retired from the active cares of life, in 
Walton village. Politically, Mr. Ilowland 
takes an intelligent interest in local affairs, 
and uniformly votes the Republican ticket. 
He is a regular attendant of the United Pres- 
byterian church, of which his wife is an es- 
teemed member. 



(^OIIX \V. HRAMLEV is probably the 
richest citizen of Bovina, where he 
lias an excellent home, and carries on 
a fine farm, the outcome of his per- 
sonal pluck and industry. lie was born in 
this town on .September 27, 18 rS, shortly 
after his parents, Henry and Elizabeth 
(Wright) Bramley, returned from Ohio. 

William Bramley, father of Henry, was 
born in England, about the middle of the 
eighteenth century, and came to America 
when a boy. He fought in the Revolution, 
and subsequently received a government pen- 
sion for his military service. By trade he 
was a carpenter. His first settlement was in 
-Schoharie Count}-; but a few years after mar- 
riage he moved to Delaware County, among 
the first settlers, and died at an advanced age 
in the town of Andes. The farm he pur- 
chased now lielongs to Alonzo Tuttle. Mr. 
Bramley was politicall)' a Democrat. Having 
been brought up in the Church of 1-JigIand, 
he remained faithful to its I'itual, and in this 
countrv was an adherent of its American 



daughter, the I-^piscopal Church. His wife- 
was a native of this State; anil her maiden 
name was Kidney, her father being a sea 
captain. Their seven children all grew to 
maturity, though, as might be e.xpected, 
none are now living. The eldest, Elizabeth 
Bramley, was born December 4. 1774, only 
four months before the outbreak of the Revo- 
lution; John Bramley was born Xovember 
I*'), ^717 \ James on Xovember 4, 1779; 
Henry on November 13, 1782, when the war 
was nearly over; Gertrude was born Xovem- 
ber 5, 1787; Jane on January 4, 1786: and 
Maria, May 4, 1789. 

Henry Bramley, whose birthplace was in 
Schoharie County, went to the district school, 
but was a mere boy when he started out in 
life for himself, working on a farm by the 
month. He married IClizabeth Wright,' who 
was born October 17, 1791. By carefully 
saving what he earned he was able to buy a 
farm in Andes. This he sidd when he was 
thirty years old. Eilled with the venture- 
some pioneer spirit, he then went to Ohio, 
the Ear West of that day, making the journey 
with a wagon train; but after five years" ex- 
perience he returned to Xew \'ork, which in- 
volved a similar trip to the first. This was 
in 1818, when Mr. Bramley was thirty-six 
years old. The family tiien settled on the 
Bovina land now owned and occupied bv the 
son, .S. G. Bramley. l-"ew acres of it were 
then cleared, and there were few im|)rove- 
nieiits; but Mr. iiramle)- erected a small 
frame house with some of the lumber which 
mostly co\-ered the hundred acres, whereto he 
soon added eighty more. Dike his father, 
IK'ury Bramley worked iiard and successfully. 
The nearest market was at the mouth of Cats- 
kill Creek: and the grist-mill was at Hobart, 
on Rose Brook. Of course, the wool-carding, 
spinning, and weaving were done at home b_\' 
the women, and everybody wore homespun. 
As there were twelve children in the family, 
it requires no stretch of the imagination to 
make sure that Mrs. Bramley was a hard- 
working woman, though hai)pily they all grew 
\\\) to be pillars of strength in the household, 
and seven are still living. The eldest sur- 
vivor is the subject of this sketch, John W. 
Bramlev. His sister, Amanda C. I?ramlev, 



426 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



was born on August 14, 1821, and now lives 
in Davenport Centre, the widow of William 
Roberts. The next, Susan Bramley, born 
August II, 1826, is the wife of John Coulter, 
of "the same town. Their brother, Charles 
Bramley, was born February 28, 1829, and is 
now a farmer in the town of Andes. Miles 
Bramley was born December 19, 1831, and 
now resides on his farm in Walton. Alex- 
ander Bramley, born December 18, 1834, is a 
Methodist Episcopal clergyman, now in Lewis 
County, working under the direction of the 
New York Conference. Stephen G. Bramley 
was born April 16, 1838. Mary Ann Bram- 
ley, the eldest child, was born January 17, 
1 8 10, and died unmarried, March 16, 1886. 
Her brother, Sylvanus W. Bramley, was born 
September 16, 181 1, and died July 27, 1865. 
A sister, Phoebe Ann Bramley, was born Oc- 
tober 2, 1813, and "died April 6, 1877, the 
widow of Alexander Dean. William Bramley, 
named for his grandfather, was born February 
3, i8i6, in Ohio, and died September 28, 
1874. James H. Bramley was born February 
2, 1824, and lived till the last day of March, 
1883. The parents both died on the home- 
stead, which belonged to them by right of 
conquest in the fight with nature, he on 
November 11, 1870, and she on March 11, 
1879. ^'■^ religion Mr. Bramley was very lib- 
eral. Politically, he was a Whig till the 
Republican party was formed and he joined 
its ranks. He was ever a good citizen and a 
thriving farmer. 

John W. Bramley grew to manhood on the 
old place, and attended the district school. 
Till the age of twenty-seven he stayed at 
home, and worked hard from earliest boyhood. 
On January 7, 1847, when nearly thirty years 
old, he married Margaret McCune, born in 
Bovina, February 17, 1825, the daughter of 
John McCune, a native of New York State, 
and his wife, Catherine McNaught, a Scotch 
immigrant. Grandfather Samuel McCune was 
a pioneer Bovina farmer and blacksmith, who 
died there in middle life. John McCune died 
at the age of sixty, but his wife lived to be 
seventy-seven ; and both were members of the 
Presbyterian church. Mrs. Bramley was the 
second of their ten children, half of whom are 
still living. Iler brother, Samuel McCune, 



lives in Jefferson. Jane McCune is now Mrs. 
Squires, of Nebraska. Sally Ann McCune is 
Mrs. Miller, and lives on the old homestead. 
William McCune resides in Bovina Centre. 
The deceased McCune children are: Mary, 
John, Gilbert, Nancy, and Marie. 

About the time of his marriage John W. 
Bramley bought a farm consisting of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of forest land, which he 
has since increased to nearly three hundred, 
and devoted especially to dairy products. 
Beginning with a dozen Aldern'ey cattle, he 
has quadrupled their number, and his full- 
blooded and graded cows average each three 
hundred pounds of butter annually. He also 
has a farm in Andes of a hundred and six- 
teen acres, and devotes himself thoroughly 
to his work. Whatever he owns is the prod- 
uct of his own indefatigable industry and 
frugality. Of his eight children four are now 
living: John G. Bramley, born in 1848, is a 
lawyer in Jordan, Onondaga County. Will- 
iam Henry Bramley, born in 1850, is a cattle 
drover and speculator in Delhi. Mary FA'iza.- 
beth, born in 1852, is the wife of Edward 
Dean, of Delhi, who is in partnership with 
his wife's brother William. Frederick H., 
born in 1856, still lives at home. Catherine 
Jane Bramley, born in 1857, died at the age 
of twenty-five. Sarah Cordelia, Charles, and 
Alexander Bramley all died in infancy. Like' 
his father, Mr. Bramley is a Republican in 
politics, and a free thinker in religious mat- 
ters; but his wife belongs to the local Meth- 
odist society. 



TT^HARLES E. KIFF is a member of the 
I St-^ firm of Gleason & Kiff, proprietors 
\rls^^ of the steam flour and feed mill 
in Delhi, and extensive dealers in 
coal. A sketch of the life of his partner, 
Wallace B. Gleason, may be found in another 
part of this work. Mr. Kiff is an active, 
wide-awake young man, rapidly winning his 
way to an important position among the influ- 
ential business men of the place. He was 
born in the town of Kortright, April 18, 
1862, being a son of Richard D. W. Kiff. 
Richard D. W. Kiff was reared to agricult- 
ural pursuits, and began his business career 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



1-7 



lis a tiller ot the soil, carrxing on this occupa- 
tion in Kortii.nht until i S69, when he came 
to the \illa,ne of Delhi. Here he established 
himself in an entirely different line of luisi- 
ness, buying the American House and a large 
livery stable adjoining, and comlucting the 
business of both several years. Later he 
purchased an interest in the present business 
of his son Charles, but continued to manage 
the hotel until the ist of January, 1893, when 
he rented the house, preferring to give his 
attention to his liwry stable and a snial! 
farm which he has since boLight in the cor- 
poration of Delhi. When a young man, he 
was united in marriage with Calista Ritch- 
mever, a native of (rilboa, Greene Count\', 
being one of eight children born to Martinus 
Kitchnieyer, a successful farmer, and an earh 
settler of that locality. Two children have 
been born of their union: Charles Everett, 
the subject ot this sketch: and .M. Louise, 
who married William (iemmel, of Svracuse. 
The mother is a woman possessing many 
Christian virtues, and is a consistent meml)er 
of the Presbyterian chmx~h. 

The subject of this sketch lived on the farm 
of his parents in Kortright until seven vears 
old, coming then to Delhi, and thenceforward 
attending school until old enough to assist 
his father in tiie hotel, and during the ab- 
sence of his father attending to the interests 
of the house. He continued thus occujiied 
until Januarv I, 1882, when at twenty years 
of age he bought an interest with his father 
in the firm of Gleason & Kiff, Wallace H. 
(jleason at the same time liecoming a j^ur- 
chaser; and the business was carried on under 
the superintendence of the two fathers for a 
time. At the deatli of W'illiam Gleason the 
two young men jnirchased the interests (^f 
Messrs. Gleason, .Sr., and Kiff, Sr., and ha\-e 
since met with excellent success in their 
operations. 

On October 28. 1891, Mr. Charles E. Kiff 
wedded Miss !\Iabel (jilfiilan, youngest daugh- 
ter of James Giltillan, who was for many years 
Treasurer of the United States. Mr. Gilfil- 
lan is a resident of New York City. In early 
manhood he married Miss J. E. Thomas, and 
to them were born four daughters. Politi- 
cally Mr. Kiff is a stanch adherent of the 



Kepublican p.aty. His man\' sterling tpiali- 
ties are everywhere recognized: and he is 
held in high esteem by the citi/i-ns (jf Delhi, 
and is a |)rominent member of all sf»ci;il 
organizations of the town. 



(S^OIIX CHICIIEST1:R, ;i respected citi- 
zen of .Stamford, is desci-nded from 
some of the earliest settlers of New 
Voik -State. His gramlfather, James 
Chichester, who married Lavinia Huston, 
dwelt for many years at Coxsackie on the 
Hudson, and thence removed to the town of 
]5roome, now Gilboa, Schoharie County. In 
the wilderness he bought a small farm, which 
he cleare<l of the luxuriant forest growth witli 
which it was covered, ;nid there li\ed until 
seventy \ears of age, when he died. lea\ing :i 
family of six children. These were: .Stephen, 
Mace, Joseph, Lavinia, Ephraim, and .Adi- 
nager. Joseph, the father of the sui)ject of 
this biography, recei\'ed his e<luc;ition at the 
tlistrict school of his native town, and then 
settled near Broome Centre, on a farm of one 
hundred acres, where he became one of the 
most progressive farmers of tiie vicinity. He 
built a comfortable house and good barns, 
continuing his improvements as ojjportunitv 
offered and his means ])ermitted. This farm 
is now owned by his )'oungesl son, George. 
Josejih Chichester li\'ed to be ninet)'-eight 
years of age, and his wife was seventv at the 
time of her death. They were members of 
the Baptist church, and in politics he was a 
Republican. Tluy left ten children — Marv 
.Ann, Eunice, John, Clarinda, lletsey, Louise, 
Theron, David, Caroline, and George. 

John Chichester was the eldest son of Jo- 
seph, and was born in the town of Broome on 
April 13, 1827. He received a common- 
school education, and engaged in agricultural 
pursuits until he was twenty-one years of age, 
when he went to the hotel at Gilboa, and was 
employeii there for three vears as clerk. 
.After gi\ing his attention to different lines of 
business for several years, he bought a farm 
of one hundred and sixty acres in (iilboa, and 
four years later sold out, and bought again 
ne;u' Broome. Having occupied the Broome 
farm five \ears, he sold it, and bought one of 



428 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



eighty acres in Gilboa. Finally, after a short i 
residence in that place, he purchased the home- 
stead of his wife's family, a farm of one hun- 
dred and twenty-six acres, which he has vastly 
improved, and on which he has built a new 
house and farm buildings. He keeps a large 
herd of cattle, and from his dairy supplies 
much milk for the creamery. 

Mr. Chichester and Sarah M. Simmonson 
were married on March i, 1854. Mrs. Chi- 
chester's parents were Tunis R. and Sally 
(Cook) Simmonson. Tunis Simmonson was 
born in the town of Ro.\bury, N.Y., March 
16, 1800, and was the son of Cornelius and 
Christine (Rapelyea) Simmonson. Cornelius 
was born in New Jersey, and came with his 
father to Delaware County, where each of the 
four sons received a farm, that of Cornelius 
being about three miles from Stamford and 
near the old Windham- turnpike. Here he 
brought his wife and family, the journey from 
the old home being made on horseback, and, 
after clearing the land, built the primitive 
abode in which he lived to be seventy-eight 
years old. His wife died at the age of 
seventy-two. They were both members of 
the Presbyterian church, and he was a Demo- 
crat. They had nine children; namely, 
Anna, Christopher, Christina, Gerrit, Maria, 
Elizabeth, Tunis, Lydia, and Schemhern. 
Tunis received his education at the district 
school, and in early manhood bought a farm, 
whereon he lived throughout the remainder of 
his life. He and his wife were members of 
the Baptist church, and the parents of eight 
children — Eliza, Delia Ann, Sarah, Lucinda, 
Luman, Augusta, Omar, and William. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Chichester have four 
children: Ella A., born July 2, 1858; Irwin 
D., born June 1, i860, who married Rhoda 
Maybee, and is a farmer; William O., born 
January 18, 1862, who married Susan Wal- 
lace, and is a very successful merchant in 
Stamford; Adelbert J., born May 4, 1865, 
who married Nettie Yoimg, and is also a mer- 
chant in Stamford. The two younger sons 
established themselves in Stamford in 1 890, 
and by good management have built up a 
large and successful business. In 1892 they 
built a four-story structure on Main Street, in 
which thev carry on their trade in general 



merchandise. Mr. and Mrs. Chichester are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
and in politics he is a stanch supporter of the 
Republican party. He is a man much inter- 
ested in all that concerns the welfare of his 
town, and his hand is ever ready to help a 
friend in need. 



(sJYLLEN Rj 
i^ ous rep 

yJ^V^ eleme 



ANDALL EEL.S, a prosper- 
ipresentative of the industrial 
lement of the town of Walton, has 
successfully followed the painters' 
trade for many years, and has had his full 
share of the business of the place. He has 
been a life-long resident of the Empire State, 
and has lived in Walton since he was sixteen 
months old, having been brought here from 
Bainbridge, Broome County, where his birth 
occurred in 183 i. 

Mr. Eels is the scion of an excellent New 
England family, and the descendant of a re- 
spected pioneer of this section of Delaware 
County, his grandfather, John Eels, having 
been a native' of Connecticut, where he spent 
the earlier years of his life. He married 
Anna Mead, a native of the same State; and 
after the birth of several children they mi- 
grated to this State, coming to this county in 
1799, prior to the time of public highways, 
the journey hither being made on horseback. 
They had some means, and bought a tract of 
timbered land on Mount Pleasant, and for 
some little time after their arrival lived in a 
tent, which was not a sure protection from the 
wolves which roamed through the woods, as it 
is related that one of these animals, when 
making his nightly prowls, thrust his nose 
under the canvas and stole one of the chil- 
dren's shoes. They reared six sons and two 
daughters, all of whom, with the exception of 
one son, Baird, who died when a young man, 
grew to maturity and married. Mead Eels, 
the father of the subject of this sketch, and 
his brother Allen, who died in California, 
were the last members of their generation of 
the family. 

Mead Eels, who was named for his mother's 
family, was born in New Canaan, Conn., in 
1793, and died in Marvin Hollow, two miles 
from Walton, in 1S79, after a long and Indus- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



A2<) 



trioiis life of oighty-six years. Ik- rctriiiiod 
his niontal and physical \-\'^or in a romarkabic 
degree, and the year prior to his iJeath, to 
show that his hand had not forgotten the skill 
and cunning of former years, did a good day's 
work scoring timber. He was an active sol- 
dier in the War of 1812, and after his return 
from the field of battle, in 1S13, married I'hi- 
lena Johnson, a native of Vermont, who came 
here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dorman 
lohnson, when she was a little girl. After 
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. ICels lived for a 
few years in Masonville, going thence to 
Bainbridge, where Mr. ICels engaged in gen- 
eral farming for a time. In 1833 he returned 
to Walton, resuming agricultural labors, to 
which he afterward added lumbering, the 
home being in Marvin Hollow, where the 
death of Mrs. Eels occurred some five years 
before that of her husband. They were the 
parents of six children, namely: Stephen De- 
catur, of whom a sketch is given elsewhere in 
this volume: .Silvia Ann, wlio is the widow of 
Robert N. Herry, and lives in Massachusetts; 
Hannah, who married George Marvin, and 
died in Walton in 1893, at the age of seventy 
years, leaving a son and daughter; Allen 
Randall, of whom we write; Mary, who is the 
wife of the Rev. Charles Marvin, and resides 
in Minnesota; and Julia, who married John 
M. Lyon, and died in 1878. The parents 
were active Christian people, and members 
of the Congregational church, in which the 
father was an officer for several years. He 
was a soldier in the War of i8ij, having 
served as Jinsign. 

Allen Randall Eels, tlie subject of this 
!)rief personal record, worked with his father 
in the saw-mill for a short time after leaving 
school, and then spent a few years in farm 
labor. This pursuit he abandoned to learn 
the painter's trade, working at it for some 
time with his brother, Stephen Decatur Eels. 
In 1864 he enlisted in the .service of his coun- 
try as a private in the One Hundred and 
I'orty-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, 
and was detailed as drummer in the regiment 
band, serving until the close of the war. On 
his return to Walton he resumed his former 
occupation, and has since been prosperously 
engaged, having earned a fine reputation for 



skilful and satisfactory wiirkmanshi|). lie 
finds constant employment, and is ever reach- 
to put forth his best efforts in behalf of his 
numerous patrons, who fully appreciate his 
promptness and trustworthiness. 

The marriage of Mr. Eels to Maria Eels, a 
distant relative of his, and a daughter of Hor- 
ace ICels, was celebrated December 8, 1858. 
Their pleasant wedded life has been cheered 
by the birth of three children: Erank M. is 
the wife (if J. II. H;ites, and has one child, 
Agnes, a bright little girl of five years. 
Ered M., a painter and decorator, residing in 
Binghamton, married Delia Demarell. Julia 
is the wife of Stejihen Woollett, of Bingham- 
ton, and has one child, a daughter seven years 
of age, named Edna. 

Mr. I',els is a firm sujjporter of the princi- 
ples promulgated by the Republican party. 
He takes an active interest in local matters, 
and has served as Inspector of Elections for 
many years. He is a ]irominent member of 
the Grand Army of the Republic, and has 
been Commander and Officer of the Dav. 



Ji 



I':XNIS W. 1:ARL, a merchant in 
Griffin's Corners, and a man of good 
business tact and energy, was born 
in the town of Ilalcott, (ircene 
Countv, (in December 7, 1850. The name of 
Earl has been known in Delaware County 
since 181 3, when David K. I-larl, a native 
of Putnam County, who married Elizabeth 
Palmer, came thither, bought a tract of the 
wild waste of uncultivated land in this region, 
and engaged in farming. The brave young 
couple made a home for themselves and their 
family; anil, as they grew more prosperous, 
they added to their earthly store, and were 
happy in their simple, busy lives. Eleven 
childVen were born to tax their energy and 
care, yet to gladden and beautify their lives 
of homelv toil — Clarissa, Esther, Deborah, 
Orrie. Dennis, Susan. Adelia, .Mary. Will- 
iam, Matthew, and J-Lliza. 

Dennis Earl, the fifth child named above, 
was horn in Putnam County, and came with 
his parents to Delaware County. He married 
Miss Lydia Todd, and settled on a farm at 
Batavia Kill. Th'\' rii-^id :i familv of four 



43° 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



cliiUlrcn — Robert, Wright, I£lizu, and David. 
Mr. Earl was a member of the old-school Bap- 
tist church, and died in middle age. His 
widow survived him for many years, living to 
be seventy-four years of age. 

David, the youngest son of Dennis and ; 
Lydia luui, was born at Batavia Kill. He 
began farming at twenty-two years of age on 
an estate of one hundred acres in the town of 
Halcott, Greene County. In 1865 he pur- 
chased of Hezekiah Van Valkenburgh an ad- 
joining farm of two hundred acres, which by 
careful management and judicious expenditure 
in various improvements became one of the 
most valuable farms in the neighborhood. 
He married Amelia A. Faulkner, and had four 
children, namely: Dennis W., of Griffin's 
Corners; William; Luther; and Emma J. 
William married Louisa Valkenburgh. Luther 
married Ida W. Peck, and, being left a 
widower, married a second wife. Miss Almeda 
Low. They live at Halcott, Greene County, 
and have two children. Emma J. married a 
Mr. Eli Meed, and has two children. In 
1885 David sold the farm in the town of Hal- 
cott, and moved to Griffin's Corners, where 
the residue of his life was spent in the min- 
istry, he being an old-school Baptist, and 
having been ordained in the year 1880. 

Dennis W. Earl received a plain education 
in the district school of Halcott; and, upon 
arriving at his majority, he began life as a 
farmer. As seems usually the case with men 
who follow agricultural pursuits, he married 
in his youth. The young woman who joined 
her life and fate with his was Miss Emeline 
A. Streeter, daughter of Thomas and Sarah 
A. (Miller) Streeter. Her paternal grand- 
parents, John and Belinda (Betts) Streeter, 
were among the early settlers of Halcott. 
They had eiglit children; namely, Thomas, 
Levi, Nicholas, Orlando, William, Romain, 
Alma, and Julia. 

Thomas Streeter, Mrs. Earl's father, is a 
most successful farmer in Halcott. As a 
young man he went to California; and, al- 
though he was on the road to success in the 
"Land of the Golden Gate," he eventually 
returned to his native State, where he is now 
living, a useful and prosperous citizen. He 
is a Democrat, a member of the old-school 



Baptist church, and holds the office of Over- 
seer of the Poor. He and his wife are the 
parents of three children, namely: I'lmelinc, 
Mrs. Earl; Mary E., the wife of G. A. 
Gordan, now a widow with two children; and 
Charles M., who lives in Scranton, Pa. 

Dennis W. Earl, like his father, sought 
other fields wherein to labor, and, selling out 
his interests in Halcott, went to Catskill. 
He remained there for two years, and then 
returned to Griffin's Corners, and entered 
mercantile life, in wliich he has since been 
engaged. In his last enterprise there is 
rather a wide field of interests, since he sells, 
besides general merchandise, drugs, agricult- 
ural implements, and patent medicines. In 
his political proclivities Mr. Earl is a Demo- 
crat, and in his religious views is liberal, 
while not attached to any of the sects or 
churches. He has earned by an honorable 
and upright life the respect of his contempo- 
raries, and has among other offices held that 
of Justice of the Peace in his native town. 
His family circle is as yet unbi-oken, the 
three sons — Wright, William, and Herbert 
D. — having not yet left the paternal shelter. 




ENRY S. EDWARDS died at his 
beautiful country home, near his 
birthplace in the town of Franklin, 
N.Y., on October 10, 1894, and 
was buried with Masonic honors by Franklin 
Lodge, assisted by Oneonta antl Otego 
Lodges. He was born on December 5, 181 5, 
and was the son of Josiah and grandson of 
Jonathan Edwards. The family is of English 
ancestry. In the latter half of last century 
Jonathan Edwards was an able farmer in his 
native town, East Hampton, on Long Island. 
He and his wife, whose maiden name was 
Miller, reared a large family, three daughters 
and seven sons, all of whom grew to maturity, 
and had families 'of their own, and lived to a 
good old age. After the excitement of the 
Revolution much interest began to be taken 
in the wild land in the central part of the 
State of New York, which was found to have 
such excellent advantages for farming and lum- 
bering that many of the younger men of East 
Hampton were induced to migrate. Among 




Henry S. Edwards. 



BIOGKAPHICAL REVIEW 



433 



these were five of the sturily sons of Jonathan 
Mclwards, who came hitlier with small means, 
but full of youthful vi^or and a determination 
which forecast success to their venture. 
These five sons were: Jonathan, a farmer; 
Daniel, a carpenter by trade, who returned to 
Long Island, and went to coasting; Thomas, 
a shoemaker; Josiah, the father ot the sub- 
ject of this biography ; and Henry, who lived 
to be eighty-eight years old, but left no fam- 
ily. Thomas and Jonathan came about 1800, 
followed by the others four or five )'ears later. 

In 18 1 3, at the age of thirty-two, Josiah 
married Mary Davis, a native of Vermont, 
born in 1787. daughter of Dyer Davis, who 
came to Otego, Otsego County, when Mary 
was but thirteen years old. Air. Davis was a 
soldier during the entire war cjf the Revolu- 
tion, enlisting when he was but sixteen, and 
going to the front with his father, who after- 
ward received a pension for his services, ami 
died in Ohio, leaving a family of three 
daughters and four sons. ^Irs. Josiah h^d- 
wards died in 1869, at the age of eighty-two, 
having been the mother of live children. 
One son died at the age of one year. A 
daughter, Mary, wife of George Jackson, died 
childless when fifty years of age. Henrv S. 
was the eldest son. Temperance is the widow 
of Sherman Barnes, of Worcester, Otsego 
County. Lucretia is the wife of David 
Beardslee, and, with her family, lives on the 
farm of her late brother, Henry .S. Josiah 
]{dwards and his wife sleep in the old ceme- 
tery here. 

Henry S. Edwards was brought up on his 
father's farm, attended the tlistrict school, 
and from his tenth year was constantly at 
work, at thirteen being so strong and rugged 
that his labor was equal to that of any man on 
the place. On Christmas. 1839, 'i>-' was mar- 
ried to Laura M. Beardslee, whose brother 
David married Lucretia Julwards. I'revious 
to this time, in company with his father he 
had ownetl some two hundred ai:res of new- 
land near this place; and in 1S42 they made 
the first ]Hn-chase of land here, a lot of eightv- 
four acres in extent, and costing three thou- 
sand and four hundred dollars. He bought 
and sold much real estate, and at the close o( 
his life owned over three hundred acres of ex- 



cellent farm land, and had several barns 
which are models of convenience and improve- 
ment. The house in which he resided was 
built in 1840 by .Mr. Abell, of whom he 
bought tlie farm; and he rebuilt and added to 
it until one now finds a fine large farni-house 
standing on an eminence above the road, sur- 
rounded and embowered by beautiful sIkkIc- 
trees which .Mr. hldwards took much delight 
ill planting and training. :\Iuch attention 
has been given to the dairy ilei)artment on 
this larm. it having been started with six 
cows and increasing to over fifty, the stock 
l)eing excellent Durham, Holstein. and Guern- 
seys. Mr. Kd wards kept six horses and 
seventy or eighty head of cattle, fattening 
yearly twelve to fifteen hogs. The farm is oil 
the west side of the valley through which the 
Ouleout Creek flows; and'the fertile flat land 
is three-()uarters of a mile long. 

Mr. and Mrs. lulwards had no children born 
to them: but their hearts have ever been ojjen 
to the children of others, and no less than five 
young people have received their schooling at 
the hands <if this benevolent couple. Thev 
adojjteil a daughter, .Mariette Baldwin, a very 
bright girl, who at the age of sixteen became 
the wife of George L. Williams. She died at 
an early age, leaving one tlaughter, Laura, and 
a son, Arthur O., who taught for a year in 
the little school-house which for fortv years 
has nestled snugly under the hill near the 
farm. In this same school-house George L. 
Williams taught years ago, before his mar- 
riage and before his entrance into the min- 
istry, in which profession his son Arthur 
has followed him. Arthur Williams is a 
member of Wyoming Conference, and is now 
attending Drew Theological School. .Mr. 
Ldwards always had a care over Laura Beards- 
lee. his youngest sister's child, who is now 
the wife of Levi .Stilson, and who lives on 
the ICdwards farm, which he helps to conduct. 
Mr. and Mrs. Stilson have two children: 
Agnes, fourteen years old; and William 
Henry, nine. Morgan ICdwards, adopted son 
of :\ir. and Mrs. lulwards, was the son of 
Sherman Barnes and his wife Temperance 
Ldwards, a sister of Henry. From the time 
he was fourteen months ohl until his marriage 
he lived with his foster-parents, and bv thcw 



434 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



he was educated at the Franklin Institute. 
He and his wife now live on a farm adjoining 
the Edwards farm. 

Mr. lidwards was a Master Mason of twenty 
years' standing, and in politics a Democrat; 
and, although in a Republican town, he was 
never defeated as Supervisor. He was for 
many years Senior Warden of the Episcopal 
church, of which his wife is also a communi- 
cant; and he assisted greatly toward the 
building, of the church in 1865. He was 
recognized as one of the foremost citizens of 
his native town, and was much beloved and 
respected by his neighbors and friends. His 
life was full of beneficent hospitality, his 
large heart being always open to those who 
were left without the care and protection of 
their natural guardians. 

The excellent likeness of Mr. l^dwards on 
another page will serve to perpetuate the 
memory of the features of this good man, who 
has left a name that will long be held in 
honored remembrance. 




ANFIELD BOYD is a retired farmer 



. of Cannonsville, Delaware County, 
is ^ N.Y., who has made for himself a 
delightful home and comfortable 
fortune, and, what is of far greater value, a 
reputation as an upright man, strictly honor- 
able in his dealings. His great-grandfather, 
who came to America from Scotland, and 
made his home in Massachusetts, had two 
brothers, one of whom settled in New York, 
on tlie Hudson River, and the other in Ver- 
mont. William Boyd, a son of the Bay State 
settler, was born in Cambridge, Mass., March 
15, 1750, served as a patriot soldier in the 
Revolution, and married in January, 1777, 
Margery Taylor, (jf Newington, Conn., who 
was born March 7, 1758. A number of years 
after marriage they removed to West Spring- 
field, Mass., where they died, she in 1833, 
and he in 1839. 

Their son, Elisha Boyd, was born at Cam- 
bridge in 1795, and until 181 5 followed the 
life of a farmer there. He then moved to 
Franklin, Delaware County, N.Y., making 
the journey on horseback and in an ox cart, 
and here leading the life of a sturdy pioneer. 



In 1 8 18 Elisha Boyd married Patty Reming- 
ton, of Meredith, whose father served as a 
Revolutionary soldier for seven years. His 
constant companion during that time was his 
pet dog, who, displaying wonderful sagacity, 
more than once saved his life. At one sta- 
tion on the frontier the sentinels were almost 
nightly killed while on duty, but the perpe- 
trators of the crime could not be discovered. 
It soon became difficult to obtain a sentinel 
from the ranks; but Mr. Remington volun- 
teered for the duty, and, accompanied by his 
faithful dog, began his solitary walk. Soon 
the dog began to bark and dig at the roots of 
a dead tree; and, accordingly, Mr. Reming- 
ton fired at what appeared to be a black ball 
among the branches. Down fell the body of 
the Indian who had waited in ambush to take 
the life of the man whose victim he himself 
proved to be. At another time, when on 
guard, Mr. Remington saw what he supposed 
to be a wild hog, but, disliking to needlessly 
alarm the camp, refrained from firing for a 
time. At length his dog again became fran- 
tic; and, noticing the peculiar gait of the 
supposed hog, he fired, and, hastening to the 
spot, discovered that he had killed an Indian, 
who was cleverly disguised that he might 
attack the sentinels. At the close of the war 
Mr. Remington settled in West Meredith, 
where he engaged extensively in farming and 
lumbering, and also operated a saw and grist 
mill, in all of which industries he was emi- 
nently successful. 

Canfield Boyd, son of Elislia and Patty 
(Remington) Boyd, was born in Franklin, 
February 28, 1819. His childhood was spent 
in attending the district school, and working 
on his father's farm, and he also learned the 
shoemaker's trade. When about thirty years 
of age, he purchased the land on which he now 
resides in Tompkins, which at that time was 
a desolate wilderness. His first purchase 
consisted of fifty acres ; and, with the assist- 
ance of his neighbors, he erected a board 
house, which he and his wife occupied on the 
third night after the first tree had been felled 
for its frame. Martha Neff, whom he mar- 
ried October 6, 1839, was the daughter of 
Silas and Polly (Watts) Neff, and was born 
in Butternuts, Otsego County. When about 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



435 



seventeen years of ayv, she left liome to learn 
the tailor's trade, and went to work in what 
is now Morris. At the age of twenty-live 
she married Mr. Hoyd, and, like the faithful 
wife she was, insisted ii|)on sharing; his hard- 
ships in the little cabin, comforting and en- 
couraging him, and refusing the offers of 
more comfortable quarters for the first few 
weeks with her neighbors. At the e\])iration 
of eight years Mr. l?o)-d pinxhaseil another 
fifty acres, and later, in icS82, a frame house, 
which he now occu[)ies, it being of commo- 
(-lious proj)ortions, and delightfulh- situated. 

Mr. and Mrs. 15o\'d are the parents of four 
cliildren: Heiir\- L., Thomas W., Gilbert V.., 
and Elbert A. Ilenrs', a blacksmith by 
tratle, married Miss Lydia Smith, of 'I'oni]:)- 
kins; and they have si.\ children now living: 
Ilattie, I'ldwin, I\Iary, Willis, I.avina, and 
Ella; one daughter, lAz/Av. having died of 
diphtheria at the age of seventei.'n. 'I'homas, 
a farmer in Tom])kins, married Miss Nellie 
Mains; ami they have four children: iulith, 
Ivtta, Eena, and Kenneth. Gilbert E. Boyd, 
also a Tompkins farmer, married Miss Jemima 
Mains, a sister of Mrs. Thomas Boyd, b^lbert 
A. works the home farm, and at present has 
one hundred and twent\--five acres of land in 
a state f)f high cuiti\-;ition, the farm contain- 
ing two hundred and thirty acres in all. 
Here are kept fifty head of fine cattle; and a 
large dairy is operated, the butter from which 
finds a ready market at an advanced price in 
the large cities of New \'ork and New Jersey. 
A large quantity of hone\', the product of an 
extensive apiary, is yearl\- shipped to market. 

Elbert A. Hoyd married Louisa M. l^rown, 
daughter of .Simeon and Lucia (I'"\-arts) 
Brown: and the\- ha\e one son. Emory Reed, 
born in 1884. Mrs. Elbert l^oyd's great- 
grandfather, Collins Brown, came fr(_)m the 
Eastern States in the latter part of the eigh- 
teenth century, and settled in Masonville, in 
this county. His wife was Margaret Chai)in, 
a member of one of the oldest New Englanil 
families. Their son, Collins Brown, Jr., who 
was born in ALasonville, was educated in the 
district school, and later received an academic 
training. IK' was three times married, his 
first wife being Louisa (iriswold, who became 
the mother of .Simeon 1'. liiown, the father of 



Mrs. Boyd. His second wife was AFarv Neff. 
and his third .Sarah K. Wood, who dird at 
the age of seventy-fi\e. 

.Simeon P. Brown, having received his early 
education in the district school of ^Lasonville, 
attended the academy at I-"ranklin, and then 
entered Madison Uni\-ersity, at Hamilton. 
Madison County, N.Y., where he was grad- 
uated from both the classical and theological 
courses, after which he was ordained as a 
Ba])tist minister. His first ])arish was at 
Sherman. I'a. : but later he went to liennetts- 
ville, N.\'., where he remained one year. 
His next call was to Sidney Centre, and from 
there he came to Cannonsville. In 1864 he 
enlisted from the town of .Sanford in the 
Sixth New \'ork Heavy Artillery as a private, 
and served for eleven months. He partici- 
l)ated in the battle of Cedar Creek, and (Jcto- 
ber 19, 1864, at Winchester, was shot through 
the thigh, lying on the field for twenty-four 
hours before assistance reached him. He 
died from the effects of his W'ound six weeks 
later, faithful to the end, a true patriot, a be- 
loved and loving husband, father, and friend; 
and his loss was keenly felt, not only by his 
immediate family, but by all who were fortu- 
nate enough to possess his acquaintance. His 
wife was Lucia I^. h'varts, of Coventry, \'t., 
a daughter of the Rev. ]\L .M. lu-arts, a Bap- 
tist minister of that town. Mr. b'.varts was 
a descendant of the illustrious family of that 
name which has given to this country minis- 
ters, statesmen, and lawyers of national 
repute. His wife was Lavina Reed, daughter 
ot Boah Reed, one of the pioneers of Lisle, 
Broome County, N.Y., who passed the even- 
ing of his life in Masonville, tlying at the age 
of eighty years. !\Tr. and Mrs. Simeon Brown 
were the parents of three children: Louisa 
M., who married I^lbert A. Boyd: lamest W. ; 
and iVIarcus S., a physician at Walton, who 
died in December, 1892. 

Mr. C"anfield Boyd and his wife are both de- 
voted members of the Cannonsville Baptist 
church, which organization they joined at the 
age of seventeen ; and they are the acknowl- 
edged leaders in all church affairs, Mr. Boyd 
being a Deacon at the present time. In poli- 
tics he is and always has been a Re])ublican, 
a prominent man in all matters concerning 



436 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



the welfare of the town where he resides. 
His farm is one of the finest in the country, 
and its excellence is due entirely to his 
energy, strengthened by the courage and 
patience of his loving wife. This worthy 
couple are now drifting down, hand in hand, 
toward the close of life, looking back upon a 
past well spent, and forward to a future of 
everlasting peace. 




'RANK PECK, one of the most enter- 
prising young agriculturists of Dela- 
ware County, was born July 25, 1868. 
His great-grandfather Peck was born in 
Dutchess County, and in 1790 removed to 
Delaware County, which was then a wilder- 
ness. Here in the woods, with few neigh- 
bors, he built, as soon as possible, a log 
house, not only to shelter his family from 
cold and storms, but to protect them from the 
wild beasts which abounded in that section. 
He cleared a small tract of land, and raised 
enough wheat and corn to supply his house- 
hold, being obliged to carry it many miles 
through the forest to be ground. His eldest 
son, David, was born December 3, 1794, on 
the farm now owned by G. Dart. David Peck 
always lived at home, helping his father with 
the farm work. On December 4, 18 17, he 
married Clarissa Ferris, who was born June 
4, 1800. They had a family of eight chil- 
dren, and lived to a very old age. 

One of their sons was Hiram Peck, the 
father of the subject of this sketch. He was 
born December 22, 1824, and lived at home, 
working with his father, clearing and improv- 
ing the land. December 21, 1853, he mar- 
ried Mary, daughter of Isaac and Rhoda 
(Webster) Mabcy. The father, Isaac Mabcy, 
a tanner by trade, was a Whig in politics, and 
was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. In 
his youth lie worked on Staten Island, and 
later went to Cairo, Greene County. He 
died at the age of eighty-eight, in Schoharie 
County, his wife passing away at the age of 
eighty-six. They had a family of nine chil- 
dren — George, Alonzo, .Stephen, Jcannette, 
Mary, Isaac, Sarah, Martha, and William 
Mabey. After his marriage Hiram Peck 
bought two hundred and thirty acres of mostly 



new land near the old Windham turnpike, 
now known as Peck Street. This he cleared, 
and on it put new buildings. He and his 
wife had nine children, namely: Munroe, who 
died at the age of seven years; Albert, who 
married Elizabeth Christian; David; Ella; 
Eda, who died young; Minnie, who was mar- 
ried to J. Cook; Mary; Frank, who lives at 
home; and John L. Peck. Hiram Peck lived 
to be fifty-seven years of age. He was a Re- 
publican in politics, and a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, who 
now lives at the old homestead with her son 
Frank, is also a member of that church. 

Frank Peck received a good district-school 
education. He was scarcely fourteen years of 
age at the time of his father's death, but he 
soon took charge of the farm. Within the 
last few years he has built a new dwelling- 
house, remodelled the barns and wagon-house, 
and greatly improved the farm, now having a 
dairy that ranks among the best in this vicin- 
ity. He has raised some fine "Wilkes 
breed" horses, and in all matters pertaining 
to agricultural pursuits shows great progress. 
He is a stanch Republican, and takes an 
active interest in politics and town improve- 
ments. By taking the responsibility of so 
large a farm, and carrying it on with such suc- 
cess, he has displayed great ability, and has 
won well-deserved prosperity. 




ILLIAM H. ROSA, senior member 
of the mercantile firm of Rosa & 
Co., of Walton, N.Y., is an ener- 
getic, industrious man, of high moral princi- 
ples and deep religious fervor, who by his 
examples and teachings has had no little 
influence in raising the moral standard of the 
community of which he is a prominent and 
valued member. He was born on November 
II, 1829, in Kingston, Ulster County, which 
town was also the birthplace of his father, 
James Rosa, in 1804. 

James Rosa was the son of Benjamin Rosa, 
who married a Connecticut lady, and removed 
from Ulster County to Delaware County in 
1834. Of the eight children born to them 
but one is now living — William H. Rosa, an 
octogenarian, who resides on Beaver Hill. 



BIOGRAPHICAI, RKVIEW 



437 



The giMn(l|xirents of tlK- subject of this skclcli 
were humble fanners in moderate circum- 
stances, living and dying in tiie Metboilist 
faith, the wife outliving the husband by about 
ten years. They were buried in the family 
lot on the farm belonging to Samuel Terry, it 
being the custom of the times to bury the 
loved ones near the old homesteads instead of 
selecting a large tract of land for a public 
cemetery. 

fames Rosa married Polly Brink, of Ulster 
County, and adoptetl the occupation of a 
farmer, moving to Delaware County in 1836, 
bringing with him a part of his family of 
eight children, two others having died in in- 
fancy. Benjamin, the eldest child, was a 
volunteer in the One Hundred and Forty- 
fourth New York Infantry, and died of fever 
at Follv Island while in the service of his 
country, in 1864, at the age of thirty-seven 
years. Me left a widow and foiu" children, 
one of whom, James O. Rosa, in partnership 
with his uncle William, now carries on an 
extensive business in general merchandise in 
Walton. James Rosa died in 1876, at the 
age of seventy-two years, his wife ha\'ing 
been taken away ten years previously by an 
attack of apoplexy. Of the children whom 
they left, one daughter resides in Salt Lake 
Citv, one in Trov, N.^'., and two in Walton, 
all having families of their own; while the 
two sons — Nelson, in the railroad l)usiness, 
and William H. — still live in their homes in 
Walton. 

William H. Rosa, the second son of James, 
was educated in the district school until eigh- 
teen years of age, after wdiich he remained at 
home, working upon the farm and making 
himself generally useful. On his twenty- 
eighth birthday, November 11, 1857, he mar- 
ried Miss Delia .Saw\er, of Walton, daughter 
of Milton and iViscilla (]5eers) Sawyer: and 
they have had four children: Edward, who 
died -August 11. 187J, when thirteen years 
old; Everett, who died on .September 17, 
188S, aged twentv-four: Milton, who tlied 
October ig, 1894; and .'\lthea, a school girl 
fifteen years of age. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rosa resided in Tompkins, 
and later in Mason\ille, where in 1887 the)' 
sold their farm of one hundred acres, and then 



removed to their new home whicli Mr. Rosa 
erected on Williams Street in Walton. In 
March, 1894, Mr. Rosa embarked in mercan- 
tile life with his nephew, opening a two-thou- 
sand-d(dlar stock of general nieichandise; and 
they are now carrying on a thriving and daily 
increasing business. Although neither of 
these men has had any experience in trade, 
with the assistance of the practical )'oung 
wife of James O. Rosa, Clara Bell Bennett, 
daughter of Jesse Bennett, they are able to 
]K'rsonally conduct all their business, under 
the name of Rosa & Co. 

Mr. Rosa is a Prohibitionist from the Re- 
pul)lican ranks, and has held several offices in 
the jiarty whose principles he u]-)hf)lds. Like 
his grandfather and father, he is a true Meth- 
odist, having been converted when but twenty- 
years of age, since which time he has been a 
prominent helper in the good cause as Sun- 
dav-scho(d sujierintendent and class leader, 
which hitter [position he still holds. In this 
good work he has been materially aided by 
his faithful wife, who is ever ready to minis- 
ter to the need of those less fortunate than 
herself. Mr. Rosa is a man of most estima- 
ble character, who has the satisfaction of 
being thoroughly appreciated by those for 
whom he has labored so faithfully anil so 
long; and he holds an exalted ])osilion in the 
esteem of the community for whose higher in- 
terests he is constantly striving. 




ILLLAM II. WILSON, one of Col- 
chester's well-to-do farmers, was 
born June 25. 1851, and was the 
son of Iqihraim J. antl Ann Eliza (Young) 
Wilson. ICphraim was born P'ebruary 27, 
1 8 19, and was the son of James C. and .Sarah 
(Rumsey) Wilson. James C. was born in 
1778, the son of Isaac, and grandson of 
Joseph W'ilson, who came from W'ales, and 
settled on the Hudson River with his wife and 
child, there making his home until he was 
killed by the Indians. 

Isaac Wilson was married in Dutchess 
County, and started for Delaware County with 
horse, wagon, and two cows. The journey 
was a perilous one, there being no roads like 
those of the present day. lint nicrrlv an Tnd- 



438 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



ian trail, the loss of which meant bewilder- 
ment in dense woods. Great fortitude and a 
brave heart were needed to overcome the many 
difficulties in the way; and it was after many 
of these that Mr. Wilson finally settled on a 
farm of two hundred acres, now known as 
Wilson Hollow. A covered wagon was their 
only dwelling for a season, and their only 
food game, berries, and the milk of one cow, 
the other having been killed by an accident 
after their arrival. A log house was at length 
built, which served them far better when the 
cold storms of winter came; and some grain 
was raised, not in very large quantities, but 
enough for their own use. Later, as the 
times improved, more modern buildings were 
erected, and a comfortable home made for the 
family. In the great struggle for American 
freedom which began in 1775, Mr. Wilson 
served as an Ensign. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac 
Wilson had these children, namely: James 
C, born in 1778; Peter, born in 1780; Addie, 
born in 1783; Jane, born in 1787; Elizabeth, 
born in 1793; Eleanor, born in 1798; An- 
drew, born in 1800; Charles, born in 1803; 
and Nancy, born in 1806. 

James C. Wilson was a hard-working, 
sagacious farmer, and accumulated much prop- 
erty, at one time owning four hundred acres. 
This he eventually sold to his son Hiram, 
and, leaving the old home, moved to Downs- 
ville, where he died when a very old man, 
ninety-six years of age. His wife, however, 
died on the farm. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wil- 
son were members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and in politics he was a Democrat. 
They raised a family of ten children — Peter, 
Hiram, Ephraim J., Isaac, Eleanor, Andrew, 
George, Rachel, Jeanette, and Jerusha. 

Ephraim J. was the third son of J. C. Wil- 
son, and spent his childhood and youth on the 
home farm, assisting his father in the work, 
and attending the district school in its season. 
Later he engaged in lumbering in connection 
with his farm work; and, when he had saved 
eight hundred dollars from his earnings, he 
bought from Lawrence Carr fifty acres of land 
known as the George Dann farm. He then 
sought for himself a partner in life, and mar- 
ried Eliza, daughter' of William and Sarah 
Young, and one of a family of nine children 



— Samuel, Enoch, Charles, Elizabeth, Syl- 
via, Ann Eliza, Cornelia, Sarah, and Mary. 
William Young was a farmer in a neighbor- 
ing town, and met his death by an accident in 
a saw-mill. Mrs. Young died on the farm. 

After his marriage Ephraim J. Wilson 
engaged very extensively in the lumber busi- 
ness, sending the lumber down the river to 
the Philadelphia market, where it brought a 
good price. He reared a family of eight chil- 
dren, namely: Estella, born July 16, 1845, 
died August 5, 1852; Augustus, born March 
8, 1847, died November 10, 1851; Helen, 
born December 19, 1849, married in October, 
1890, to Joseph Roileau, a farmer and carpen- 
ter; William IL, the subject of this sketch; 
Eugene Chester, born November 13, 1853, a 
conductor, who married in 1874 Mary A. Sig- 
nor; Herman A., born October 17, 1861, a 
farmer, who married Belle White; Sarah A., 
born June 2, 1864, married to James C. Loos, 
a farmer; George E., born in 1869, who mar- 
ried Ann Eliza Jennings. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Ephraim J. Wilson were members of the 
Methodist P^piscopal church ; and he was a 
good Democrat until the day of his death, Oc- 
tober 23, 1873. 

William H. Wilson was born on the old 
homestead upon which he now resides, and 
received his early education at the district 
schools of the town, afterward attending the 
Walton Academy for one term. As a young 
man he was a very good scholar; and for 
eleven terms he taught school, but finally 
gave this up, and devoted himself to farming 
and lumbering. July 3, 1873, he married 
Hannah M., daughter of James and Lois 
(Lindsley) Holley, the father being a farmer 
with a family of two children. His son, 
William Holley, married Jennie Hull, and 
lives at Cleaver, on Loomis Brook. Lois, 
the wife of James Holley, died in 1854; and 
James then married Elizabeth Moore, with 
whom he resides in Walton. Mr. and Mrs. 
William H. Wilson have had seven children, 
as follows: Frank H., born February 16, 
1874; Walter H., born November 18, 1875; 
James E., born June 19, 1877; Melvin A., 
born May 11, 1879, who died May 9, 1881; 
Earl H., born August 10, 1885; and Herman 
and Sherman, born June 2, 1888. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



•130 



In 1S87 Mr. Wilson Ijouglit the old homo- 
stead, and since that time has increased it so 
that he now owns three hundred and forty 
acres. He has erected one of the finest barns 
in the siirroundinj; country, it being three 
stories high, with all modern conveniences, 
and accommodations for o\'er forty head of 
cattle. Here he keejis a fine stock of graded 
Guernseys, having one registered Guernsey at 
the head, making his probably the most select 
and best dairy in the town of Colchester. He 
also has many fine work horses, and keeps a 
lew of the Cotswold sheep. In his various 
undertakings Mr. Wilson has shown marked 
ability, close apjilication, and perseverance, 
all of which have brought iiim success and the 
respect of his fellow-citi/.ens. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wilson are members of the Methodist l^pisco- 
pal church at Downsville, and he is a Demo- 
crat in politics. 



J~~\I<- RLT.SON RUDOLPH LEON- 
=1 ARD is a well-known and skilful 
'^3 l)h\sician, and the leading druggist 
of the village of Hloomville, in the 
town of Kortright. He was born June 3, 
1868, at Broome Centre, Schoharie Count \-, 
where his father, Dr. Duncan M. Leonard, is 
an eminent jjhysician, and the oldest repre- 
seutati\'e of the medical profession in the 
place, and with one exception the oldest in 
the county. Rutson R. Leonard is, on his 
father's side, of German extraction, and comes 
of illustrious ancestry. His great-grand- 
father, John Leonard Swatzbauer. was a noted 
general in the German army. He wa.s the 
first representative of the family in America, 
where the surname of .Swatzbauer was dropped, 
and he was called simply John Leonard, fie 
was one of the first settlers of Roxbury, N.V., 
which was then known only as Heaver Dam. 
He was a man of means: and here he bought 
lantl, and became a successful farmer. He 
lived to a good old age. His son. Henry 
Leonard, the grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, was born near Black River in or near 
\'ermont. He devoted himself to agriculture, 
and spent his entire manhood in Roxbury, 
where he died at the great age of ninety 
years. He was the father of nine sons, five 



of whom became physicians, and three daugh- 
ters. Nine of the family are still living. 
These children were: I'eter Leonard, a farmer 
living in the town of .Sidney: John Leonard, 
a farmer and retired physician in luisl 
Worcester, Otsego County ; William Leonard, 
a doctor in Worcester, Otsego County; Daniel 
Leonard, a farmer in Greene County; Dr. 
Dimcan M. Leonard; Asa Leonard, living in 
Triangle Town, Broome Countv; Salina, wife 
of J. Rudolph Hanima, a farmer, living in 
Roxbury: Lucy, wife of John Weckel, a 
miller in Roxbm-y ; .Mary, wife of Christopher 
John luiderlin, a blacksmith in Roxbury; 
George Leonard, a physician, no longer li\- 
ing; Samuel Leonard, a farmer, not living; 
and Charles Leonard, also deci-ased. It has 
long been a common remark that the family of 
I Henry Leonard were "physicians by birth." 
I Their mother was accustomed to s])enil a great 
j deal of her time with the sick, being nearly 
i always called before any doctor. She was a 
native of Fairfield, Conn. Her maiden name 
was Hull, and she was known as "Aunt 
Huldali." 

Duncan M. Leonaixl, father of the subject 
of this sketch, was born in itS37, in the town 
of Roxburw where his boyhood was spent. 
He w^as graduateri at the Castleton .Medical 
College in Vermont, anil soon after taking his 
degree came to Broome Centre, where he is 
still establishetl as a ])hysician. His first 
wife was \'ashtie McHench. who was born in 
Broome Centre, .Schoharie County, in 1S28. 
They reared a family of four children, all of 
whom are living. The eklest, Lmma R. 
' Leonard, of l^loomville, Delaware County, 
was born October 12, 1S60. ]•" ranees A., 
wife of b'rank B. .Mackey, of Cobleskill, 
.Sch<iharie County, was born in 1863. Lh'sula 
J., the wife of Dr. Christopher S. 15est, of 
Midtlleburg, .Schoharie Countv, was born in 
April, 1866. Their mother died June 4, 
1877, at the age of forty-nine. In January, 
1879, "'■• Leonard married Lmma J. Me- 
Ilench, a sister of his first wife. Dr. Duncan 
Leonard is one of the leading men of his ])ro- 
fession in this part of the country, and has 
led a life of exceptional usefulness. He has 
been President of the Schoharie County Medi- 
cal Societv. and nearlv a half-hundred stu- 



440 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



dents have graduated under his instruction. 
He is a member of the regular Baptist church, 
and in politics is independent. Though he 
started in life in debt for his education and 
for the horse and saddlebags with which he 
made his daily rounds among his patients, he 
is to-day one of the wealthy men of his town, 
and is the owner of eight hundred acres of land. 

Rutson Rudolph Leonard, fourth and young- 
est child of Dr. Duncan M. Leonard, grew to 
manhood in Broome Centre, the town of Gil- 
boa, Schoharie County. He first attended the 
district school, and then the normal select 
school in Broome Centre. Then he spent 
one year as a student at each of the follow- 
ing-named institutions: Stamford Seminary, 
Starkey Seminary and College, Hartwick 
Seminary. After leaving Hartwick Seminary, 
he began the study of medicine at the New 
York University Medical College, where he 
was graduated in March, 1890. He also stud- 
ied for a time in the medical department of 
the University of Vermont, spending in all 
nine years as a medical student. In July, 
1890, he came to Bloomville, and established 
himself as a physician and druggist. October 
12, 1893, he married Jessie A. Henderson, 
ilaughter of James and Nancy (McNeilly) 
Henderson, born in Kortright, May 3, 1866. 
Her grandparents were George and Eliza 
(Smith) Henderson, both born in this country. 

George Henderson was an early settler in 
the town of Kortright, where he owned and 
tilled a farm of about one hundred and fifty 
acres. He was a worthy, industrious man, 
a member of the United Presbyterian church. 
In politics he was a Democrat. Of their 
children, twelve in all, five arc still liv- 
ing, namely: Robert Henderson, in Kansas; 
William and Samuel Henderson, in Kort- 
right; Harvey Henderson, in Kansas; and 
Anna, the wife of Robert Rice, of Harpers- 
field. The father died on his farm at seventy 
years of age. His wife departed this life 
when about sixty-eight. Their son James, 
the father of Mrs. Leonard, was born in Kort- 
right, June 4, 1822, and grew to manhood on 
his father's farm. He improved his opportu- 
nities at the district school so well that he 
became a teacher! After spending several 
years as a schoolmaster, he became a farmer 



and stock dealer, in which line he was very 
successful. September 12, 1853, he married 
Nancy McNeilly, a daughter of Andrew and 
Eliza (Morrow) McNeilly, born in Down 
County, Ireland, February 5, 1830. 

Andrew McNeilly came to America with 
his family in 1841, and settled as a farmer in 
the town of Harpcrsfield, in Delaware County. 
Here he remained fifteen years. Then he 
sold his farm, and moved to Kortright, where 
his last years were spent at the home of Mr. 
and Mrs. Henderson. It was not until the 
great age of eighty-nine was reached that he 
departed this life; but his wife had been 
taken away many years before, when about 
fifty-two. Mr. McNeilly was an Elder in the 
Presbyterian church, and his wife was a mem- 
ber of the same religious organization. Seven 
of their children are still living. Their en- 
tire family consisted of nine boys and girls, 
namely: Mrs. William Hazlett, of East Mere- 
dith; Mrs. Andresv Gibson, of Davenport; 
Mrs. James Rowland, of West Kortright; 
Mrs. Michael Se.xSmith, of Kortright Centre; 
Mrs. Henry SexSmith, deceased, late of Wal- 
ton; Mrs. Henderson; Adam McNeilly, of 
California; Mrs. John Wilsey, of Iowa; and 
William McNeilly, who met with an accident 
which proved fatal, when he was thirteen 
years old. 

Mr. Henderson's residence was known as 
"the White House," because it was the first 
so painted in Kortright. Mr. Henderson 
bought his first land in the town of Kortright, 
where at the time of his death he possessed 
five hundred acres, and had at one time owned 
eight hundred. In 1874 he moved to the 
farm where his last days were spent ; and his 
death took place November 29, 1890, when he 
was about sixty-eight. He was a man of 
great energy and industry, and very successful 
in business. He was a member of the Pres- 
byterian church at West Kortright, of which 
his wife is also a communicant. In politics 
he was a Republican. The home farm, con- 
sisting of three hundred acres, is still carried 
on in the most successful manner by his 
widow. She has a fine dairy, where the best 
of butter is made, and keeps a herd of thirty 
graded cattle. In all respects her farm is in 
excellent condition, and her home is most 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



II' 



comfortable and attractivo. Mr. lli'iuicrson 
was the fatlicr of ton children, nine of whom 
arc still living. William Henderson, now in 
Iowa, was the only child of tiie first mar- 
riage, liis mother being Xaney Ilarkness, who 
lived but a short time. .Andrew Henderson 
died at one year of age. Andrew 'SI. Hender- 
son lives at North Kortright. I'lmma E. is 
the wife of Howard Mitchell, of luist l\Tere- 
di'h. (ieorge Henderson is in Colorado. 
J hn Henderson lives in I-'.ast Meredith. 
Jessie A. is the wife of the subject of this 
sketch. James IM. Henderson is in Koit- 
right. C. Irving Henderson and M. b'hnxMice 
Henderson li\x' at liome. 

Dr. Rutson Rudolph Leonard and his wife 
now live in the village of Bloomville, his 
inherited and acquired skill as a physician 
bringing him a very large jjractice. He is 
the pro])rietor of a drug store, where a full 
line of drugs are constantly in stock. He 
owns a business block, erected in the fall of 
1892, which contains three stores besides his 
own, also two halls — Leonard Hall, for pub- 
lic meetings, and a larger hall for dancing, 
measuring thirty by forty-five (vet, the only 
halls in the village. The block measures 
forty by sixty feet. Dr. Leonard, though lib- 
eral in his religious views, leans toward the 
doctrines of the Baptist church, his wife being 
a member of the L'nited Presbyterian church. 
Politically, he is a Democrat, and is a health 
officer. He is a member of the Masonic 
Lodge, No. 630, of Gilboa, an Oild h'ellow in 
the Delaware \'alley Lodge, No. 6ij. of 
Bloomville, and also belongs to the Roval 
Lncampment of Oneonda, No. 112. He has 
been the Noble Grand of the lodge, and was 
one of its originators and charter members. 
Lie is a most valuable member of the Dela- 
ware and Schoharie County Medical Societies. 
Though still a young man. Dr. Leonard's 
prominence and success are already so marked 
that a brilliant career is predicted for him. 



k(jsi:\vi:i.i. ki:lsi;v palmer- 

TON, M.D., the successful and 
universally popular physician of 
Cannonsville, in the town of 
lompkins, is descended from an old pioneer 




family of the I'jnpire Stale. His great-grand- 
lather, William Palmerton, was an linglish- 
man who immigrated to America in the old 
C\)lonial days, and settled in Saratoga C(junty. 
.Syivenus, son of William, was born in Balls- 
ton in that county, and resided there until 
1822, when with his family he removed to 
Delaware County, taking up habitation in 
what is now the town of Deposit. Llere he 
purchased a tract of heavily timbered land, 
and at once built his log house. At this time 
there were no railroatls in the State: and 
Catskill, nearly one hundred miles distant, 
was the nearest depot for supplies. Syivenus 
Palmerton was exceedingly industrious; and 
by unceasing patient toil he cleared his land, 
j and converted the wilderness into a liountiful 
farm and the log house into a comfortable 
j home, which he occupied for many years. 
Afterward he removed to the village of De- 
posit, where he lived in retirement for the 
remainder of his life. His wife was P'.lcanor 
L^gglcstfui. 

.Samuel Palmerton, a son of Syivenus, was 
born in Hallston, and reared to a life of agri- 
culture and lumbering. On the death of his 
lather he succeeded tfi the ownership of the 
old home, which he has enlarged by the pur- 
cliase of more land. He has also erected 
some sulistantial buildings and otherwise im- 
jiroved the place. He married Miss Lvdia 
Kelsey, daughter of Rosewell and Hannah 
(.Smith) Kelsey; and she became the mother 
of six children. One son. Harvey, died at 
the age of eleven: the others, .Sarah A.. E.llen 
1".. George W., Rosewell K.. and Cajjitola, 
are all living. 

Rosewell K. Palmerton was born in that 
l)art of the town of J'ompkins which is now 
included in Deposit. Delaware Count\-, Au- 
gust 13, 1857, and received his early educa- 
tion at the district schools of the village. At 
the age of seventeen he began to teach, and 
for five winter terms taught in the schools 
near his home, assisting his father on the 
farm during the summer and attending the 
Deposit -Academy in the spring and fall. In 
1877 he accepted the position of clerk in 
Studevant's drug store in Deposit, and began 
the study of medicine with Doctors Studevant 
and Radiker, entering the College of Phvsi- 



442 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



cians and Surgeons in Baltimore, Md., in 
1879. He was graduated trom this institution 
on March i, 18S1, and began practice in Can- 
nonsville, where he has remained since that 
time, being remarkably successful in his pro- 
fession, and having an extensive and con- 
stantly increasing practice. 

In 1879 Doctor Palmerton married Miss 
Jenny Wilson, who was born in Bennetts- 
ville, Chenango County, a daughter of Merton 
and Olive (Bennett) Wilson; and they have 
one son, Abel B. Palmerton. The Doctor is 
an active Democrat, and was appointed Post- 
master of Cannonsville in 1893. Doctor 
Palmerton is a conscientious, intelligent man, 
an unwearying laborer in his profession, 
thoroughly deserving his prosperity. 



^ETER ERASER, a highly respected 
^ farmer residing on the River road 

lis north of Platner Brook, was born in 
the town of Delhi, November 16, 
1848, a son of James and Mary (Arbuckle) 
P'raser. The grandfather, Andrew Eraser, 
was a native of Scotland, but emigrated to 
America when a young man, and located at 
Delhi, where he purchased a tract of land on 
Scotch Mountain. He began life in a log 
cabin, afterward building a fine frame house. 
His last years were spent in the village of 
Delhi. He reared a family of nine children, 
six of whom are living; namely, Daniel, 
Ebenezer, James, Ann, ICmily, and Jennie. 

James Phraser, like his father before him, 
was reared to agricultural pursuits, remaining 
on the homestead until of age, after which he 
went to work on a farm by the month, so con- 
tinuing until his marriage, when he rented a 
farm for nine years. He afterward pur- 
chased the farm where his son Peter now re- 
sides, and here lived for twenty years, when 
he sold the property to his son, and purchased 
the adjoining farm. Mr. Eraser married Mary 
Arbuckle, a daughter of Robert and Sally 
(McGregor) Arbuckle; and of this union there 
were nine children, seven of whom lived to 
maturity; namely, Peter; Robert A., a law- 
yer of Delhi; Mary: Ella: Sheldon: Wal- 
lace; and Augusta. 

Peter Eraser was educated at the district 



school, and assisted on the home farm until 
he was twenty-two years of age, when his 
father gave him one hundred acres of timbered 
land, which he partially cleared. He later 
purchased the farm where he resides from his 
father, and is now the owner of four hundred 
and fifty acres of the best farming land in the 
county. He devotes much time to keeping 
graded Jersey cattle, having seventy-two cows, 
and makes a fine line of butter, which finds a 
ready sale. 

Mr. Eraser was married at the age of 
twenty-two to Miss Elizabeth Hogg, a daugh- 
ter of William and Margaret (Curry) Hogg, 
natives of Scotland, but residents of this 
vicinity for over forty years. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hogg. have three children: Elizabeth, Frank, 
and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Eraser are the 
parents of five children — Clara, Bessie, 
William, Harry, and Jessie. Two of the 
daughters received their education at Delhi 
Academy. 

Mr. Eraser is a Republican in politics, and 
has served his time acceptably as Assessor. 
He is emphatically a self-made man, is pro- 
gressive in his views, and works his farm on 
thoroughly practical lines, factors which 
doubtless conduce to his present prosperity. 
Mrs. Eraser is a member of the First Presby- 
terian Church, the family attending the same 
place of worship. 




ENRY W. CLARK, the trusted sta- 
tion agent at Sidney, N.Y., is well 
known as one of the most faithful 
and capable employees of the D. 
C. Co. Railroad. He was born in 
Newark, Tioga County, N.Y., November 23, 
1845, eldest son of Watson W. and Phebe 
(Smith) Clark. He has one sister, Julia, 
wife of Dr. R. M. Clark, in Guilford, and a 
brother, Arthur P., a dentist in Sidney. His 
paternal grandfather was Gershom A. Clark, a 
Connecticut farmer who moved 10 Guilford, 
Chenango County, about 1815, and thence, 
about 1845, to Newark, where he died in 
1866. He was a very successful farmer, gain- 
ing a bountiful livelihood by his earnest toil, 
which enabled him to provide the luxuries as 
well as the necessities of life for his seven 



ninc.RAPHICAT, RKVIFW 



443 



children. The last of his family, Lucius !'. 
Clark, died in April, 1S94, in Nebraska, 
where he was engaged in farming. The 
mother of the subject of this sketch was the 
daughter of Joel Smith, a farmer in Newark, 
who died at the advanced age of ninety-seven 
years. She is one of eleven ciiildren, eight 
of whom are still living, the youngest, Susan 
(Smith) Ames, of Newark, being over sixty. 

Henry W. Clark attended the district school 
in his boyhood, and later began business life 
in Guilford, where he remained for eight 
years. He then entered the I-'.ngineer Coriis 
of the New York & Oswego Midland Rail- 
road, being employed by that comjianx- for five 
\ears as assistant engineer, ha\ing charge of 
two divisions. In iSjj he entered the em- 
ploy of the Erie Railroad, where he remained 
for about a year, and then accepted a position 
with the ]). & H. C. Co. Railroad as yard- 
master at Sidney, later being calletl to the 
office of ticket clerk of this place. For ten 
years he faithfully performed his duties in 
that capacity, and was tlien made station 
.agent, which position he has held since that 
time, giving complete satisfaction to the com- 
[lany as well as to the patrons of the road. 

October 14, 1873, Mr. Clark married Miss 
Ella D. Clark, who, thougii of the same name, 
was no relation to him. Mrs. Clark was born 
in De Ruyter, N.^^, daughter of R. I", and 
Clarissa (Lansing) Clark; and she is the 
mother of one child, William W. Clark, a 
school-boy of fourteen. The family are con- 
stant attendants of the Congregational church, 
of which they are highly rcsi)ected members. 
They reside in their deliglitful home, at No. 
5 River -Street, which Mr. Clark erected in 
1890, and where his mother is one of the fam- 
ily circle. 

Mr. Clark is a consistent Rejiublican. He 
was President of the village in 1S93. is a 
Director of the Sidney National Hank. Presi- 
dent of the .Sidney Water Comixmy, and fore- 
man of the Piielps Hose Company. In all 
the positions of trust and i-esponsibility which 
he has held and now ociupies, he has ever ex- 
hiijited a manly, noble character, firm in prin- 
cijile, cheerful in disposition, courteous and 
modest in bearing; and his long connection 
with the company by wliich he is now em- 



ployed testifies to the regard and confidence 
in which he is held 1)\' liis superiors as well as 
subordinates in office. 



rxNoHl'.Rr LIDDLI-; was born on No- 
\\\ ^■^■"^'^'^'' -3' 1821, in the town of Ho- 
J_'o\ vina, and was the son of Thomas 
^■^and Margaret (Archibald) Liddle. 
riiomas Liddle was a native of Scotland, who 
emigrated to this country in his youth, and 
settled in Bovina, where he bought a tract of 
about four hundred acres of land. He here 
married Mi.ss Archibald; and a family of eight 
children were born to the couple — Andrew, 
Alexander, James, John, Christa, Robert, 
Barbara, and Isabella. The father was a pros- 
perous farmer and a dairyman, antl did not 
neglect civic duties while devoting himself to 
his own affairs, as he was for some time Over- 
seer of the I'oor. He was a Republican in 
politics, and, like his wife, a I'nited Presby- 
terian in religion. Roth lived to l)e quite 
old. 

Robert, the son of the emigrant, and the 
original of this sketch, grew up at Bovina, 
the town of his birth, and was educated in the 
common schools of the neighborhood. He 
began his business life as a farmer, owning a 
farm of one hundred and twenty acres, to 
which he afterward added one hundred and 
twenty more. This farm, which was a dairv 
farm, he sohi after a time, and came to 
Hownsville, where he purchased a small estate 
on the outskirts of the village. This tract of 
land belonged formerly to the old Downs 
estate, and Mr. Riddle's spacious mansion 
faces the old homestead of the Downs family. 
Besides a fine lireed of cows, he owns a goodlv 
number of shee).). and has bred some of the 
finest horses in the count}'. I'or grazing pur- 
poses his farm is especially adapted. At 
twenty-three he married Catherine McGregor, 
the daughter of John and Jane McGregor, who 
lived in Andes. The wife's father owned a 
farm on the State road. Of the McGregor 
family there were nine — Daniel, Mary, Cath- 
erine, .Alexander. Nancy, Jane, .Margaret, Isa- 
bella, and John. The parents are both dead. 
To Robert and Catherine Liddle seven chil- 
dren were born: Jane, born in 1S45. is the 



444 



BIOGRAPHICAL JIEVIEW 



wife of George K. Gladstone, and has six 
children. Margaret is the widow of George 
Gladstone. Mary is the wife of the Hon. 
Bryson Bruce, a member of the legislature of 
Iowa; and they have a family of seven chil- 
dren. Thomas C. married Miss Carrie Garri- 
son. Agnes is the wife of Mr. I':. Shaver, 
and the mother of four children. Isabella 
m.irried Myers Hitt, and has four children. 
IClizabeth is the wife of Edward Allen. Mr. 
Liddle, being left a widower, took to himself 
a second wife, marrying Miss Angenette 
Shaver, a daughter of Peter Shaver. The one 
child of this marriage grew up and married 
Mr. O. B. Purdy, a gentleman of Downsville. 
Again Mr. Liddle was widowed, his wife 
Angenette dying in 1864. His third wife 
was Miss Harriet Beates, a daughter of Rob- 
ert and Mary (Wilson) Beates, who bore him 
eight sons and daughters, whose births came 
in this order: Emma A.; Katharine B..; 
I'Idna May; Leila; Nellie; Robert Beates and 
Edith, twins; and Augustus Dwight. The 
Hon. Robert Beates, the father of Mrs. Lid- 
dle, was of Scotch origin, being the son of 
James Beates, whose father came from Scot- 
land, and settled on a farm at Delhi, where 
he passed the remaining years of his life. 
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Liddle are both mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian church : and their 
children, which have been like the "quiver 
full of arrows" in his household, have been 
brought up in the admonition of the Lord. 
The father is an adherent of the Republican 
party, and has been Overseer of the Poor for a 
vear. 




DGAR P. HOYT, who is engaged in 
the manufacture of harnesses at No. 
142 Delaware Street, in the village 
of Walton, is a man of good business princi- 
ples and excellent judgment, and a fine repre- 
sentative of the industrial interests of the 
town. His entire life has been spent in this 
locality, where he is justly esteemed for his 
many worthy qualities of heart and mind. 
He was born in the year 1841, on the moun- 
tain then known as Dunk Hill, which is about 
four miles north-east of Walton, that having 
been also the birthiilace of his father, Ga- 



briel A. Iloyt, who was born in 1810, and died 
in the village of Walton in 1878. 

Mr. Hoyt comes of honored New lingland 
ancestry, his grandparents, Amasa and Eliza- 
beth (.Seymour) Hoyt, having been natives of 
Connecticut. They removed to this section 
of New York about the time of the settlement 
of the North family, coming with a pair of 
oxen and a two-wheeled cart as far as the head 
of the west branch of the Delaware River, 
thence down the river in a flat-boat to the vil- 
lage of Walton. Instead of taking up land on 
the fertile flats, they went to Dunk Hill, 
where they bought two hundred acres of heav- 
ily wooded land, from which they improved a 
good farm, he having one hundred and sixty 
acres of it cleared before his death, which 
occurred just prior to 1870. His good wife 
survived him nearly eight years; and their 
bodies are now resting side by side in the old 
family burying-ground on the home farm. 
Three of their family of children were born 
after they came to this county. They were 
devout Christians, very strict in religious 
observances; and he served a large part of his 
life as a Deacon of the church. 

Gabriel A. Hoyt was reared to the occupa- 
tion of his parents, and after his marriage 
bought a farm on the turnpike, where he car- 
ried on general agriculture for some thirty 
years. Then, being afflicted with rheuma- 
tism, he removed to the village of Walton, 
where he lived retired from active pursuits 
about seven years before relieved from his 
sufferings by the hand of death. His mar- 
riage with Delia Guild, the sister of Truman 
Guild, was celebrated in the village of Wal- 
ton in 1839; and of the five sons and three 
daughters born to them all are living except 
one son, Sherman, who was a volunteer in 
the late Rebellion. He enlisted in Com- 
pany B, One Hundred and Forty-fourth New 
York Volunteer Infantry, and after three 
months" service died of typhoid fever. His 
remains were brought to Walton, and interred 
in the cemetery. The seven children now 
living are: Edgar P., Charles P., Augusta, 
Hannah, Arthur, Seymour, and Elizabeth. 
Edgar is the subject of this sketch. 
Charles P. Hoyt, junior member of the large 
wholesale and retail drv-goods firm of Tur- 




Samuel Korn. 



BIOGRAPHICAL KKVIKW 



117 



land iS: Hoyt, in l'liila<lclphia, left honu' 
at the early a;;e nf nine \'ears, on hoard a 
n'lft, with ahorse, < // ivntc to IClwood, N.f., 
where ho was to make his home with his 
uncle Griswohi, who had married a sister ot 
his mother. He remained there live years, 
i^^oinj; tlicnce to I'liihuleliihia, wheri' he 
worketl for two years at the jeweller's trade. 
Heini;- stronj;ly imhued with Christian princi- 
|)les, he became an acli\e worker in relit;ious 
circles, and while there formed the acquaint- 
ance of Ilattie Turland, the dau.qhter of a 
merchant. The acc|uaintance thus he^un, 
ripening into love, culminated in their liapp\- 
marriage. Augusta, tlie witlow of Dr. 11. ]•'.. 
Ogden, resides in Walton. Mannah, the wife 
of Ransom I'.vans, lives in Oneonta. Arthur, 
who married ICmma I'"anchen, lives in \Vallon. 
Seymour, a hardware clerk in Walton, mar- 
ried Miss Lily Miller. l';iizabetli, the wife 
of John \. W'oodburn, lives in Delhi. 

I'^dgar I'. Ilovt grew to man's estate on the 
home farm, and acquired a good education in 
the district school antl the village acatlemy. 
.At the age of fifteen years he began working 
at the harness-maker's trade with his uncle, 
l'^ Guild, ser\'ing a four years' ajiprentii-e- 
ship, and four years as a joui'ne\inan. lie 
soon after established himself in Walton, at 
liis jiresi-nt place of business, where, for more 
than thirty years he has been industiaously 
and ])rofitably engaged, being the leading man 
in his line of work in this \icinity. On 
( )ctober H). 1864, Mr. llovt was united in 
wedlock with Miss Jennie Wright, a daughter 
of Malcom and Margaret (".Shaw ) Wright. 
Two children, Hattie and -Sherman, came to 
brighten their home. Ilattie married John 
A. Heckroth, who is of German ancestry: 
and they are the ]xirents of one child, Clar- 
ence. .Sherman, a harness-maker, working 
with liis father, married Mar\' .\. Jamieson; 
and they have one child. Walter, a fine bov of 
two yeais. After theii' marriage Mr. and 
.Mrs. Ho}t rented a house for a few years, hut 
subse(|uently built the pleasant residence at 
No. 161 Delaware .Street, which is now the 
home of theii' son .Sherman, while the\' oc- 
cupy a most comfortable home at No. 3 Bruce 
Street. 

Mr. Iloyt i.s an active, public-spirited man. 



e\er readv and willing to do his utmost to ad- 
vance the interests of his communitv. and has 
servetl as \dllage 'i'lustee. lie uas horn and 
rearid to tin- piinciples of the Republican 
party, and fro.n them has never de])arted. 
He is quite [jrominent in .Masonic circles, 
being a .Master Mason and Senior .Master of 
Ceremonies in his lodLie. 




[(i^y A.MUlvL KORN lives in the village 
of Arkville, in Aliddletown, where 
he is a leading merchant. His 
" parents were lunaumd and N. f,. 

(Kutner) Korn; and .Sanuiel was born in Ger- 
many, January 5, 1S57, and educated in the 
I'atherland. .'\t about fourteen he began 
earning his li\'ing as a cleik in a wholesale 
dry-goods house, where he worked nearly six 
years. In our centennial vear, at the age of 
nineteen, he came to .America, and tound em- 
plo\nient for two )'ears on Jeisey City 
Heights, as overseer lor Kutner & Co., manu- 
facturers ol jewelr\', the senior partner ot the 
firm being a kinsman of his mother. Then 
.S.imuel started on the road as a petller of 
general meiehandise, first going afoot, and 
afterwai'<l with a team. .After four years of 
this wandering life he came to Arkville, 
Delaware Count\\ and started a general store 
in compan\' with Patrick Galliger, an arrange- 
UK'Ht which continued two \'ears. Tlu-n he 
bought out his |)artnei-, and has ever since 
continueil alone in tln' l)usi)iess, his store 
being the largest in the neighborhood, with 
an annex establishment on the other side of 
the street. In fact, \ou can harilly mention 
anything in ordinary demand Mr. Korn cannot 
supi^ly, drugs not e\ce]5ted. 

In iJ^,S8, when about thirtx' years old, Sam- 
uel Korn was married- to Clai'a i'irst. .She 
also was born in Germany, and came to .Amer- 
ica at ahiait the same time her husband came. 
They have four children. The eldest, Marcus 
Korn, was born in 1S89, Severn Korn in 
1891, Leo Korn in 1893, and Nita Korn in 
.September, 1894. 

Patient, painstaking, jiersevering, .attentive 
to detail, Mr. Korn is a systematic, thorough- 
going man of business. He is an exceedingly 
useful and respected member of the coninui- 



448 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



nity, and in politics belongs to the Republi- 
can party. His portrait, which accompanies 
this brief bit of biography, has the air of a 
man who is accustomed boldly to "look for- 
ward, and not back," and calls to mind this 
sentence of the great poet of his native land, 
Schiller, — 

■'Whoever fails to turn aside the ills of life 
bv prudent forethought mu.--t submit to fulfil 
the course of destiny." 



■AM1':S BALLANTINK, a prosperous 
and highly respected farmer of Ham- 
den, is one of the best representatives 
of the Scottish race in this county, and 
one who is honored by all. His grandfather, 
Robert Ballantine, was a sturdy Scotch shep- 
herd, who lived to be nearly one hundred 
years old, his wife also living to a great age. 
They were the parents of a large family. 
Their son John, also a shepherd, married 
Agnes Henderson, and came to America with 
his family, comprising five children, crossing 
the ocean in a sailing-vessel, the voyage occu- 
l)ying thirty days. They settled in Hamden, 
on a farm of two hundred acres, where their 
children were educated. 

James Ballantine was born in .Scotland in 
1826, and, like his father and grandfather, 
was reared to the life of a shepherd, taking 
charge of a flock when seventeen years of age. 
He, however, received an excellent education. 
In March, i860, he married Miss Catherine 
Whyte, who was born in Andes, Delaware 
County, a daughter of William and IClizabeth 
(Darling) Whyte. Mr. and Mrs. Whyte were 
both natives of Perth, .Scotland, and were 
married about sixty years ago, after coming 
to this country. They were the parents of six 
children, three sons and three daughters. 
One son, James, died when sixteen years of 
age. Three of the children are still living: 
Margaret, who is .the wife of James Darling, 
of Andes; William D., who has been for 
thirty years a farmer and fruit-grower in Cali- 
fornia: and Catherine, Mrs. Ballantine. Mrs. 
Whyte died in 1873, at the age of sixty-three 
years, her husband dying in February, 1893, 
aged eighty-four.' Mr. VVhyte was a Republi- 
can, and served as Assessor. He was a suc- 



cessful farmer, and greatly interested in all 
educational matters, giving his children the 
best instruction that could be obtained. His 
daughters became teachers. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Whyte were earnest members of the 
Presbyterian church. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ballantine have been blessed 
with seven children: Elizabeth; John W., 
a minister of Winfield, la., who was graduated 
from Delaware Academy, and later from the 
Theological Seminary, and was ordained in 
the fall of 1892, being recently settled in 
his present position; Agnes, a successful 
teacher; James, a farmer; Christina; Robert; 
and Jennie. All have been well educated, 
and are highly intellectual. 

Mr. Ballantine has a fine farm of one hun- 
dred and eighty acres, upon which he keeps 
over thirty grade Jersey cows, making choice 
butter, which he ships to market. His pleas- 
ant home was erected in 1887, the valley 
where it is situated being known as Cham- 
ber's Hollow, through which a beautiful, 
clear brook flows, abounding in the speckled 
trout dear to the heart of the fisherman. In 
1870 a large barn was built, fifty-six by forty 
feet, with a wing thirty-six by twenty. Mr. 
Ballantine is a stanch Republican, and has 
held many offices of responsibility and trust 
in the town, among them being those of 
Highway Commissioner and Collector. He 
is held in the highest regard by his many 
friends, and respected for his sujierior intel- 
lect and noble, manly character. 




TEPHEN ELIJAH CHURCHILL, 
M.D., is one of the most thor- 
oughly established citizens in the 
village of Stamford, Delaware 
County, N.Y., where he has passed the best 
part of his life. He vvas born in Harpers- 
field, near the village of Stamford, on Sep- 
tember 7, 1841. His great-grandfather in 
the middle of the eighteenth century settled 
on the Delaware River, at the junction of the 
East and West Branches. Like other hardy 
pioneers of his time, he began clearing the 
wilderness, and erected a log house; but in 
1765 he was driven out by the Indians, and 
he and his family went back to Massachusetts, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIKW 



119 



where the ]):irL-nts spent the rest ot tlieir ilays. 
Their son, Stephen Cluirchill, was horn on 
April 15, 175S. In 17S0, wiiilc the Revolu- 
tion was in proi;ress, Stephen Churehill was 
married to h'.sther I.loyd. After a few years" 
resilience in the old l^ay State, Mr. Churehill 
went hack to the home of his earl)' childhood 
in Delaware County, and settled on land now 
owned hy Jud<;e (iilhert, near the villa-e of 
Stamford'. There he put u|) a loi; house and 
a rough barn. The nearest grist-mills were 
at least thirty miles away: and the Churchills 
had to pound uji corn in a hollow stone to ])rc- 
l)are food for their nine children — A[ar\-, 
I'hebe, Giles, ICsther, Samuel. Stephen, I'di- 
jah, Joseph, and Melinda. The father found 
the hardships of pioneer life too great for his 
endurance, and died during the War of 181 2, 
at the age of fifty-four. 

One by one the sons and daughters married 
and moved awav from the homestead except 
Klijah Churchill, who. to please his mother, 
Iwught nut the other heirs, and devoted him- 
self to agricultural improvements. I'or a 
man of his position and pursuits he was ex- 
ceedingly fond of study, and so steadfastly 
improved his limited means and opportunities 
for education that he was able to teach school 
dm-ing the long winters. His tlecisinn of 
character and dignified bearing made him a 
leader in the communit)', and he was chosen 
Captain of the militia company, an organ- 
ization re(|uired by the State in those tlays for \ 
defence in time of war. In religious aifairs 
he exerted a great intluence, and took an ; 
active ].)art in the organization of the Pros- ] 
bvterian church in Stamford. The society 
ejected him to the office of Deacon, which 
title followed him through life. On May 12, 
1830, he was united in marriage with Sarah 
Benedict, a daughter of Iv.ra Benetlict, one of 
the earlv settlers in the town of Amies. A 
more amiable and devoted wife never adorned I 
a home. .She jjossessed in rare degree the 
qualities of a true wife and mother, and the 
sweetness of her life permeated the entire 
household. The effect of her wise training 
and benign iuHuence (Ui the life and character 
of the subject of this sketch cannot be meas- 
ured. She still survives, at the advanced age 
of eightv-fivi'. retaining vigor of mind and 



body with the charming manner m lu 1 VMHtn- 
ful da\s. 

Around the hospitable board of I'ilijah 
Churchill and his wife gri'W seven children, 
bv name Calvin, i''.i)enetus, .Sarah. .Stei^hen 
h;iijah, l''rances, Esther, and \'esta Churchill. 
Their father was born on ]-"ebruary 3, 1797; 
anil he died March 24, 1S7S, a little over 
fourscore. Deacon Churchill was beloved by 
his family as a model husband and father, and 
was honored and respected by all who knew- 
him for his uprightness and a life fragrant 
with good deetls. As a man ot brnail and 
liberal ideas he was deeply interested in 
the education ot his children, and was one of 
the first subscribers toward a fund for the 
establishment of an academic school in 
.Stamford. 

Stephen, the subject (if our sketch, was the 
youngest son, and named for his grandfather 
Churehill. 1 1 is education began at the Stam- 
ford Seminar\-, and he finished his academic 
course of stu<l\' under Dr. Kerr, of Coopers- 
town. In 1865, aged twenty-four, .Mr. 
Cliunhill became a teacher in the Stamford 
.Seminarw then under the direction of the 
Rev. John Wilde, taking charge of the de- 
partment of mathematics. The next year he 
liought the schnol buiklings, and became prin- 
cipal as W(dl as proprietor of the institution, 
l.'nder former management the school had 
been (juh' fairly prosperous; hut. as tlie result 
of Professor Churchiirs assiduous labor and 
executiw aldlity, the seminary entered upon 
an era of prosperit)' never before attained. In 
1S69 the accommodations for students were 
enlarged by the erection of a new building. 
I'rom the excellent cla.ssical department of 
the school voung men were sent \early to the 
best colleges in the land. Believing it to be 
to his jiecuniary advantage, in 1873 Professor 
Churchill sold two of his buildings, retaining 
the ladies" hall as his residence. Not yet 
satisfied with his scholastic attainments, he 
entered the Sheffield Scientific Department of 
Yale College with a view to medical study 
thereafter; and in our centennial year he was 
graduated from the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons in New York City. He began prac- 
tice in Scranton, Pa., in 1876; but a fondness 
for his native hills imiudled him to return 



45° 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



the next year to Stamford, where he has since 
been a highly successful practitioner. 

But not in the field of professional life 
alone has Dr. Churchill directed his energy. 
In various enterprises he has been uniformly 
successful, displaying much business sagacity 
and ability as a financier. In 1883 he erected 
Churchill Hall, which was the pioneer sum- 
mer hotel in Stamford. This business has 
been exceedingly prosperous, and Stamford 
to-day is one of the most popular resorts in 
the Catskills. I""our times he has enlarged 
his hotel, until it has reached its present mas- 
sive proportions, and accommodates more than 
three hundred guests. He is also the owner 
of one of the largest and most valuable farms 
in the coimty. The accumulation of his 
wealth has been the result of his unaided 
efforts. Dr. Churchill has been an indefati- 
gable worker for the development of Stamford. 
On his return to Stamford from college he 
found the seminary had closed its doors, and 
no academic school in existence. With his 
former zeal in educational affairs he urged 
upon the people the establishment of a union 
free school. This project met with an oppo- 
sition in the community that was pronounced 
and bitter; but Dr. Churchill, after two years 
of persistent work for the success of the meas- 
ure, aided by other public-spirited men, so 
influenced public opinion that a victory was 
won, and Stamford Seminary was re-estab- 
lished. He was elected Chairman of the 
Board of Education, which position he has 
held almost continuously for thirteen years. 
In the organization of the Judson Library 
Association, tlie .Stamford Water Company, 
the Electric Light Company, Athletic Asso- 
ciation, Telephone Exchange, and all other 
village improvements, he has been the leading 
spirit. In 1891 he proposed the construction 
of a system of sewerage, which he thought was 
demanded by the sanitary condition of the 
growing town. This was strenuously opposed 
by the conservative portion of the community, 
but Dr. Churchill's perseverance won its cus- 
tomary triumph. By conversation, newspaper 
articles, and personal appeals to the voters, he 
so enlightened the people on the health ques- 
tion that in 1893- the work was begun and the 
sewers were completed. There is no better 



sewerage system in the State, and to-day the 
inhabitants recognize the great service of the 
Doctor in leading their thoughts and votes in 
this direction. 

His keen perception, accurate judgment, 
wonderful force of character, and extraordinary 
intelligence have won for him the high posi- 
tion he occupies in commercial and public 
affairs. Truly has it been said: — 

"Instead of saying that man is the creat- 
ure of circumstances, it would be nearer the 
mark to say that man is the architect of cir- 
cumstances. It is character which builds an 
existence out of circumstances. Our strength 
is measured by our plastic power. From the 
same material one man builds palaces, another 
hovels, one warehouses, another villas." 



/pTTo 



EORGE E. BALLARD, a successful 
\ 5T farmer in Roxbury, Delaware 

— County, son of John T. Ballard, 
was born on the present homestead at Batavia 
Kill, January 7, 1863. He was educated 
first in the clistrict school, and later in the 
State normal school at Albany. At twenty- 
three years of age he came to his present farm 
in Roxbury, married, and settled down. Mr. 
George Ballard has an interesting ancestry to 
refer to. His great-grandfather, Peleg Bal- 
lard, came and settled in Delaware County, 
taking up ninety acres of land about the year 
1794, when the country beyond the eastern 
portion was still wild and unsettled; and here 
he had those hardships to endure which are 
the lot of all pioneers. The team which 
brought the family could only proceed part 
way. The rest of the journey had to be per- 
formed on foot by following an Indian trail. 
Having secured ninety acres of land for his 
farm, he proceeded to clear the forest, build a 
substantial house of logs, and plant fields and 
gardens. The wife of Peleg Ballard was 
Martha Haines before she was married. 
They had six children: James, Benjamin, Je- 
duthun, Asa, Lizzie, and Zillah. They both 
lived to an advanced age, Peleg being eighty 
years old when he died, and his wife surviv- 
ing till she was one hundred and three years 
old. 

James Ballard, son of Peleg and grandfather 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW ,5, 

of George I'-. Hallarcl, was born in I'litnam are now living a retired life, and bcjlh retain 
County, and was nine years old when his excellent health. Mr. liallard is a Repnhli- 
father canir to Roxhnry. At the age of thir- can; and both are meniijcrs of the old-school 
teen years he entered the employ of John T. Haiitist church of Roxlnuy, as were their par- 
More, at Moresville, in whose service he le- ents. John T. ]5allaril married Miss Peace 
mained only one )ear, with but poor remun- Scudder, daughter of O. .Smith .Scudder, 
eration for his laljor, and then went home and whose wife was before her marriage Miss 
took hold of the farm interests, clearing more Sarah Chase. The children of John T. Hal- 
land and helping to improve the i)lace, to lard and his wife were two: Smith S. ; and 
which he added land until the farm comjirised George 1^., whose name heads the present 
about one hundred and eighty acres. 'I'he sketch. 

country was still primitive. He used to buy Smith .S. Hallartl was born at the old home- 
the tlour for the family and carry it a distance stead, I'ebruary 3, 1850. He attended the 
of twelve miles on his back over a mountain- district school, and then began work on his 
ous road, stec]i and dangerous on either side. father's farm. When he was thirtv-six years 
After a while he married, settled down, and old, he married Miss I'lstelle .Stewart, daugh- 
bought the farm for his own, erected several ter of Augustus and Margai-et (Hallard) -Stew- 
frame buildings; and about the year 1842 he 1 art, who live in the town of Ilardeiiburg, 
]iut up the present fine large house. The Ulster Count)-. Mr. Stewart was a well- 
wife of James Ballard was Miss Mary Strat- known farmer of that locality, and lived to be 
ton. a daughter of Samuel Stratton, who was about sixt\- ye:irs old. His wife is still liv- 
the first settler at Stratton Falls. Mr. Strat- ing at Hardenburg. They had five children 
ton took some land in that neighborhood, laiil — Sarah, Martin, l^Istelle, ICrnest, and 
out a farm, and so cleared up and beautilied George. Mr. .Stewart was a son of Abijah 
the locality about the I'alls that it became a Stewart, one of the early settlers, and was a 
noted resort for tourists and pleasure-seekers. Democrat in |)olitics. After his marriage 
i\Ir. and Mrs. James Hallard brought up se\'en Mr. Smith Hallard bought two hundred acres 
children: Jonathan, 15enjamin, John T., Jes- of land adjoining the homestead, ;ind lias re- 
sie. I'.lizabeth, I.ouiza. and Polly Ann. James sided on his ])lace until recenth-, keepin"- 
Ballard lived to be eighty-eight years twenty-five cows, his dairv constituting his 
old. Politically, he was an old-fashioned principal industiw Having leased his farm. 
Whig; and he 'and his wife were both mem- lie now has his residence elsewhere in the 
bers of the old-school liajitist church in Rox- 1 neighborhood. Mr. .Smith S. ]5al!ard is a 
bury. Re|>ul)lican in politics. 

John T., son of James IkiUard and father (ieorge \i. Hallard, second son of John T. 

of George K. Ballard, was born March 7. Ballard, continues to reside on the old home- 
1809, at the old home. He grew to manhood ^ stead farm, which he bought in 1886. It is 

there, attended the district school: and, when lociited on the west side of Hatavia Kill, about 

fifty years of age, he took the farm from his four miles from Roxbury. On this flourish- 
father by usual sale, and built several barns, 1 ing estate he makes a specialty of dairy pro- 
and added more land to his father's one hun- ,, ductions, keeping a herd of thirty cows, 

dred and eighty acres, making two hundred chiefly graded Jerse_\s, and furnishes choice 

acres in all. lie has since cwned dilferent quiilities of dairy produce for shi[)ment and 

farms, comprising about seven bundled ;ici'es. for local trade. He and his wife, whose 

'1^1 show the pri\atioiis of those who locate maiden name was Katie Morse, h:iye two chil 

their homes in un(le\Hdope(l parts of the conn- tlren, namely: Smith W. Hallard ;ind John 

try, Mr. George !•". Ballard relates that his F. Mrs. Ballard's parents, Ira and .An- 

father, John T. H;ill;ird. never wore a shoe toinettc (.Simmons) Morse, reside at Batavia 

till he was ele\'en \ears old, and that his Kill. Mr. George I'.. Hallard is :i Republi- 

father made the first shoes worn in the neigh- can in ])olitics, and both himself and wife ;irc 

borhood. Mr. John T. Ballard and his wife member.. ,,f i]^q Roxbury Baptist church. 



45 2 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



It is interesting to note, in these days of 
unrest, the appreciation manifested by both 
brothers, Smith S. and George E. Ballard, of 
the aim and intention of their father and 
grandfather before their time. To respect 
their career by continuing to improve the land 
they pre-empted so many years before, and to 
establish homes which should perpetuate their 
arduous labors and preserve them from ob- 
livion — this has been an accomplishment so 
far. Withstanding any enticements to locate 
elsewhere, or to follow some other occupation 
than that of their father, they have set an 
example worthy of record and imitation. 




)EWIS H. OWENS, a well-known 
dairy farmer of Tompkins, Delaware 
County, N.Y., was born here on 
the old Owens homestead in 1847, 
son of J. Wilson and Eliza (Kelsey) Owens. 
Eliza Kelsey was the daughter of James and 
Mary (Brode) Kelsey. James Kelsey came 
from New Hampshire with Martin Lane; and 
together they took a tract of land, which was 
then a perfect wilderness, and erected log 
cabins and a saw-mill on the banks of the Del- 
aware River. And this for years they worked 
together, sawing up logs, building rafts, and 
floating the lumber down the river to the 
Philadelphia market, making the return jour- 
ney, which often took them four days, on foot, 
and carrying on their backs packs filled with 
provisions and family supplies weighing over 
fifty pounds. 

In 1797 James Kelsey married for his first 
wife Avis Hoag, of Tompkins ; and by this 
marriage there were these children: Mahala, 
born in 1799; Rosvvell, born in 1801 ; Mariam, 
born in 1803: Dayton, born in 1805; James, 
Jr., born in 1809; and Enos H., born in 
181 1. His second wife was Mary Brode, 
daughter of Michael and Mary (Funk) Brode, 
of Philadelphia. The latter was the daughter 
of Christian P'unk, a noted Baptist clergyman 
of tho.se early days, who was located at Ger- 
mantown, and was a descendant of one of the 
earliest Dutch settlers of this country, as 
were also the Brode family. James Kelsey 
and Mary Brode were married in March, 1823, 
and had three children; Michael, born in 



1825; Eliza, born in 1827; and John B., 
born in 1829. James Kelsey was very suc- 
cessful in his undertakings, and at one time 
owned over one thousand acres, extending 
from the bank of the Delaware River back 
over the hills to where the Sands Creek road 
now is. He offered one hundred acres to any 
of his sons or sons-in-law who would clear ten 
acres of land and live upon it, and his descend- 
ants occupy the land thus obtained. 

J. Wilson Owens, the father of the subject 
of this sketch, was born in Tompkins, and 
here received such education as the district 
schools of the town afforded. In 1844 he 
married Eliza Kelsey, and settled on Sands 
Creek, where he engaged in farming and lum- 
bering, and met with such success in these 
pursuits that at the end of a few years he 
erected frame buildings on his land, put up a 
saw-mill, and was considered well-to-do for 
the times in which he lived. Both he and his 
wife were Presbyterians in their belief, and 
energetic workers in the church at Cannons- 
ville. Mr. and Mrs. Owens had three chil- 
dren: Lewis H., the subject of this sketch; 
James, who married Augusta Seymour, daugh- 
ter of Charles Seymour, of Tompkins, and has 
two children — Lenore and Charles S. ; and 
Charles Owens, who married Clara Otis, 
daughter of Nathaniel Otis, of Iowa, and died 
in August, 1893, leaving three children — 
Wilson, Clyde, and Ethel. 

Lewis H. Owens was educated in his native 
town, where he has always engaged in farm- 
ing. He and his brother James now have 
charge of the old homestead farm located on 
the banks of the Delaware River. They are 
progressive farmers, having all the modern 
improved machinery, graded stock, and an ex- 
cellent dairy. Farm affairs do not occupy all 
of Mr. Lewis H. Owens's time, however; for 
he is prominent in town interests, has always 
been identified with the Republican party, 
and has held positions of trust and honor in 
his native town. 




ILLIAM R. REYNOLDS, who oc- 
cupies an influential position in 
business circles in this county, is 
the junior partner in the firm of Eells & Rey- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



453 



noUls, dealers in hartlwarc, in the \-illa-c "1 
Walton. He is of luiglish paientaj^e, ami 
was born in the town of Walton, October 1 8. 
1858. His father, Samuel V. Reyiiolils, was 
a native of Bristol, Knglanil, and li\ed there 
until sixteen years of age, when he emigrated 
to America. Landing at New York City, he 
shortly afterward made his way to Catskiil, 
and from there journeyed to Hamden, where he 
obtained work in the woollen-mills. Possess- 
ing a good deal of mechanical ability, he next 
learned the trade of carriage-making in the 
village of Walton, and for many years fol- 
lowed that trade. He afterward worked as a 
carriage-maker, carrying on a substantial 
business as such for some time in the firm of 
Wade & Reynolds, which was subsequently 
changed to Berry & Reynolds. Selling out 
his interest in that business, he became a car- 
riage painter, continuing in that occujiation 
until his death, at the age of threescore and 
three years. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Amy Rowlstown, was one of four children 
born to her parents, William and Mary Rowls- 
town, she and her sister emigrating to this 
country at the same time. .She is still living. 
and is a beloved member of the household ot 
her son William, the subject of this sketch. 
The following are her eight children: Charles 
B. ; Carrie W. ; William R. : Mary A., the 
wife of ("i. A. l^arton. of Walton; .Samuel !•". : 
Frederick W. : Jennie, who married J. ( ). 
Lunn, of Walton: and Harry W. 

With the exception of a few years spent on 
the I^acific Coast, William R. Reynolds has 
passed his life in the village of Walton, re- 
ceiving a ])ractical education in the village 
school and academy, and from his good [lar- 
ents a careful training in the duties of lite. 
When old enough to decide upon an occupa- 
tion, he learned the tinsmith's trade of l-'ells 
& Wood, and afterward the trade of a plumber, 
subsequently entering their employment as 
a clerk. After remaining with them three 
vears as such, he secured a position with 
L. S. & J. W. St. John as a plumber, work- 
ing for them about a year. Then, desirous of 
trving his fortune in the great and growing 
West, Mr. Reynolds made a trip to Cali- 
fornia, and for two antl one-half years was en- 
gaged in the plumbing business in Sacramento 



antl other places ;n that .St;ite. KLturiiing to 
Walton, he entered the employ of .St. John & 
White, later buying his present interest in 
the business carried on by the firm now known 
as ICells & Reynolds, Captain .St. John, whose 
sketch a])pears elsewhere in this v<dume, hav- 
ing retired on March i, 1804. A more im- 
portant as well as more recent date in the life 
of William R. Reynolds is November 14, 
1894. when he was married to .^[iss Kate 
Launt, of Walton, N.Y. 

Mr. Reynolds is a gentleman of most agree- 
able manners, courteous at all times, and very 
])opular with the citizens of Walton, among 
whom he has a host of friends. Socially, he 
is a member of the A. !•". & A. M., being 
Treasurer of the lodge, and formerly belonged 
to the onlcr of Red Men. He has been in all 
the ranks of the engine company, from torch 
boy to chief engineer, and is a treasurer of 
the corporation. He is a stanch su])i->orter of 
the principles of the Democratic party, and a 
regular attendant of the ICpiscopal church, of 
which his mother and sisters are active mem- 
bers, and in the choir of which his fatlier sung 
for manv \'ears. 




ALTER T. ARMSTRONCi is a 



fs\ well-known Delaware Count)- man, 
i\ing in the town of .Andes, where 
he carries on an extensive and varied busi- 
ness, both with land and machinerv. He was 
btirn March 27. 1853. in tlie town of Hamden, 
and his parents were Andrew and Jeannette 
(Hastings) Armstrong. Andrew .-Vrmstrong 
was the son of Walter .Armstrong and his 
wife, \'iolet Anderson. 

The grandfather, Walter .Armstrong, was 
born in Scotland, where he married. Suhse- 
ciuentl)' he came to .America with his family, 
and bought an Andes farm of a hundred and 
sixty acres, now owned bv L. J. Strangeway. 
Here he put up various buildings, besides 
clearing the land, and raising seveTi children. 
James .Armstrong, the eldest, now lives in 
Delaware. Ellen Armstrong married Rich- 
aril Hamilton, and li\es in .Sidney. John 
Armstrong married in Montana, where he is 
still living, though his wife is dead. Jennie 
Armstrong is in DeLance\', Delaware County. 



454 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Andrew Armstrong, as already noted, married 
Jeannette Hastings, and is no longer living; 
but his wife is with her son in Ancles. Belle 
Armstrong lives in DeLancey, unmarried. 
Walter Armstrong married Jane Marks, and is 
an Andes farmer. Their father lived on the 
homestead till his death, at the age of 
seventy-two, having already buried his wife. 
They were both members of the United Pres- 
byterian church, and he was first a Whig and 
then a Republican in politics. 

Andrew Armstrong was born in Scotland 
before the emigration of the family to Amer- 
ica. Like his father, he bought a farm, 
though it was not situated in Andes, but in 
Hamden. On these two hundred acres he 
lived six years. Then he sold out, and 
bought another place in Andes, of a hundred 
and forty acres, nearer his father's. This 
also he sold, and moved to Brushland, where 
for eighteen months he worked as a stone- 
mason. His next move was to Delhi, where 
he bought another farm of a hundred and forty 
acres; and there he lived eight years. Once 
more he sold, and went again to Andes, where 
he bought another tract of nearly a hundred 
and fifty acres. He -did not change again, 
l)ut continued on the same place until his 
death in middle life, only forty-eight years of 
age. Andrew Armstrong was a hard-working 
and enterprising man, as may be judged by 
his frequent changes. His wife Jeannette 
was the daughter of James Hastings, who 
married Elizabeth Elliot, of Rovina, where 
they owned a section of a hundred and sixty 
acres, and reared seven chiklren. The 
brothers and sisters of Mrs. Armstrong were: 
Martha, Elizabeth, Isabelle, Thomas, John, 
and James Hastings. Their father was a very 
prosperous and active man, a Presbyterian and 
a Republican. He died a short time ago, at 
the age of ninety-seven, having been born in 
1797. Andrew Armstrong had six children, 
all of whom are living but one. The eldest 
is Walter T. Armstrong. James H. Arm- 
strong married Lillie Covet, has one child, 
and is a Roxbury farmer. Ella Armstrong 
married Thomas Smith, another Roxbury 
farmer, and has three children. Violet Arm- 
strong married Andrew Browne, an Iowa mer- 
chant, and has one child. Belle Armstrong 



married William J. Hizar, and Martha Arm- 
strong married his brother, Charles C. Hizar, 
both being Andes farmers; and Belle has two 
children. Like his father, Andrew Arm- 
strong became a Republican. He was a long 
time an Assessor, and the family belonged to 
the United Presbyterian church. 

Walter T. Armstrong was educated at the 
Delhi schools and Andes Academy. In 1872 
he married Mary C. Hyzer, daughter of 
Thomas Hyzer and Rachel Ferguson. Thomas 
Hyzer was born on May 22, 18 19, and was 
the son of Abraham Hyzer and his wife, Han- 
nah Worden, and the grandson of Peter Hyzer 
and Eve (Scriver) Hyzer. Peter Hyzer was 
born in Dutchess County, and came to Andes 
as a farmer. His children were: Abraham, 
Peter, Isaac, Jacob, Polly, Eleanor, Betsey, 
and Katie Hyzer. Their father lived to be 
very old ; and, their mother having died very 
young, he was married again to the Widow 
Wilson, who lived to an advanced age. The 
family attended the Presbyterian church. 
Abraham Hyzer was born in Dutchess Count)', 
but bought a farm in Gladstone Hollow. He 
soon after sold out, came to his father's farm, 
and took charge there until the death of the 
old man, at the age of seventy-three. Abra- 
liam Hyzer was a Republican, and the family 
attended the Methodist church. There were 
nine boys, of whom four died young; but 
Thomas, David, Abraham, Ira, and James 
Hyzer grew up. Thomas Hyzer was born in 
Andes, and there educated. At twenty-one 
he married Rachel Ferguson, daughter of 
John David and Asenath (Hall) Ferguson. 
Mr. Ferguson was a son of David Ferguson, 
who came from Scotland, dwelt awhile in 
Schenectady, and then came to Andes with 
his family, and lived into old age. David 
Ferguson, who was an enterprising farmer, 
went to Iowa, and raised these girls and 
boys — Martha, Samuel, David, Huldah, Ra- 
chel, Seneca, and Abigail Ferguson. After 
the death of their mother he married Eliza 
Lidger, and lived to be very old, a Whig and 
a Methodist. In his young manhood Thomas 
Hyzer bought a farm on Cabin Hill, which he 
subsequently traded for his present estate, the 
Armstrong farm, where he raised a family of 
nine children, of whom six livifl to grow up. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



455 



His daughter, Lena Ilyzcr, married Wilrod 
Scott, and died, leaving four children. An- 
other daughter, Hannah, also deceased, was 
the wife of David IClijaii. Abraham Ilyzer 
married Mary Cathels, and they have three 
chikiren. l-"rances Hyzer died unmarried. 
Mary Myzer is Mrs. Armstrong. Thomas 
Hy/.er married Anna IVdl I.iddle, and is a 
thriving farmer, very social and popular. 

Mr. Walter T. Armstrong is a Republican, 
like his father ami grandfather, but belongs to 
a different religious sect, the Methodist, in 
which his wife sympathizes with him. He 
has two children: ICmory Armstrong, who was 
born February 2. 18S0: and Cora, on June 
19, 1882, both of whcim live at home. At 
first Mr. Armstrong lived in Middletown, 
where he bought a saw and grist mill of 
Moses Jackson, which he carried on four 
years. Selling out his mill property, he next 
came to Amies, where he worked as a carpen- 
ter and millwright for a year, staying with his 
father. Then he came to his present place, 
the old Hvzer homestead of a hundred and 
thirty-two acres. In addition to agriculture, 
he does more or less carpentry, having a sepa- 
rate shop, ccmtaining an engine which runs a 
circular .saw and a turning-lathe, wherewith 
all sorts of bracket work can be done. Xot 
onlv is he a good mechanic and farmer, hut 
an enterprising man in other directions. He 
keeps eighteen choice Jerseys, and everything 
about the place bespeaks thrift and progress. 
Says wise old Seneca: — 

"Opportunity has hair in front: behind she 
is bald. If you seize her by the forelock, you 
mav hold her: but, if suffered to escape, not 
Jupiter himself can catch her again." ]\Ir. 
Armstrong feels the force of this doctrine, 
and has seized opportvmity the right way. 




RS. RACHKL I5UTLER owns and 
occufjies a fine homestead in the 



town of Hamden. where she and 
her husband settled almost a half 
a century ago. She is a capable, hard-work- 
ing woman, who has led a noble and heroic 
life, rearing and educating her children in 
ways of usefulness and honor, and is well 
worthy of the esteem and respect accorded her 



throughout the community wiierein slie dwells. 
She was born and reared to womanhood in 
County Carlow, Ireland, her maiden name 
having been Rachel Scanlon. 

On the 24th of March, 1846, she was united 
in marriage to Edward Hutler, a native of the 
same county; and the following year they left 
their native isle, going first to Liverpool, 
luigland, where they spent a few weeks. On 
the loth of May they sailed from Liverpool in 
the good ship "'Agnes,"' and after a voyage of 
nearly seven weeks they landed in New York 
City. While on the ocean their first child 
was born, and was named John .Atlantic ]5ut- 
ler. They settled in the town of Hamden on 
the farm now occupied by Mrs. Butler and her 
sons, and were the parents of seven children, 
two of whom, both boys, died in infancy. 
I'ive are now living, and tiirough her judi- 
cious teachings have become valued citizens 
of this locality. The eldest son, John A., an 
agriculturist, carries on the home farm of two 
hundred acres, which was bought and paid for 
through the energetic and persevering efforts 
of Mrs. Hutler. William E. is a car])enter in 
the town of Hamden. Charles A. is a rait- 
way employee in Port Jervis, N.V. lulward 
L. is a carpenter. -And the only daughter, 
Rachel A., is the wife of George A. 
Brainard. 

George .\. Brainard. a prosperous farmer, 
residing in District No. i in the town of 
Hamden, was born on the homestead where he 
now lives, in the month of October, 1S57. 
He comes of excellent New Laigland stock, 
his grandfather, also named George A. Brain- 
ard. having been of Connecticut birth. The 
elder George was a man of good business 
ability, po.ssessing some means, and came to 
Delaware County when a young man, settling 
in the town of ('olchester, where he bought a 
large farm. He was a wide-awake, energetic 
man. and, besides carrying on general farming 
on a large scale, was extensively engaged in 
buying and selling stock, and was likewise tor 
a time a well-known hotel-keeper in Hamden. 
He married Polly Bogart : and they became 
the parents of two sons and three daughters, 
and of these one son and two daughters are 
now living. 

lames M. Brainard, son of the first, and 



4S<' 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



father of the present George A. Brainard, was 
born in Downsville in this county, in 1831, 
and died in the town of Delhi, April 30, in 
1885. Following in the footsteps of his an- 
cestors, he chose farming for his life occupa- 
tion; and the success that has crowned his 
efforts showed that he made no mistake in his 
choice. He was united in marriage with 
Phylira Signor, the daughter of Theodore and 
Sarah (Brown) Signor; and of their union 
three children were born, namely: George 
A.; Mary E., wife of Harry Hooper; and 
Annie M., wife of Alfred Bailey. 

George A. Brainard was the only son of his 
parents, and his entire life has been spent on 
the farm where he was born. He obtained a 
good common-school education, and early be- 
came very familiar with the art of agriculture. 
He carries on general farming, and pays a 
good deal of attention to his fine dairy of 
thirty-five cows, the milk from which he ships 
directly to New York City. On April 17, 
187S, Mr. Brainard married Rachel A. But- 
ler, as above mentioned ; and they are the 
parents of four promising children, namely: 
George William, born November 20, 1881; 
Mary G., born December 15, 1884; James 
E., born June 20, 1887; and Fred H., an 
irrepressible little lad of four years, born 
June 4, 1890. 

Mr. Brainard is an active Republican in 
politics, and has served with great acceptance 
as School Trustee, and has in many other re- 
spects assisted in promoting the welfare and 
advancemenfof the community. Both he and 
his estimable wife are sincere members of the 
First Presbyterian Church, toward the support 
of which they contribute generously and will- 
ingly. 



T^ROSBY KELLY, a contractor and 
I \r^ builder of Middletown, residing at 
^Is^^ Griffin's Corners, is well and favor- 
ably known for his good business 
abilities, and takes a high stand in his chosen 
occupation. He is the son of John B. and 
Mary A. (Crosby) Kelly, and was born Sep- 
tember 16, 1862, in Granville, Bradford 
County, Fa. ■ His paternal grandfather, 
Thomas Kelly, was the son of Edward, a 



native of Connecticut, and one of the first set- 
tlers in Greene County. Edward Kelly 
cleared some land on the mountain in the 
town of Halcott, built a log house, and lived 
there to an advanced age. His son Thomas 
married Jane Molyneaux, and continued on 
the old homestead until he died, at seventy 
years of age, in 1869, his wife living to be 
seventy-five years old. Both were members, 
in good standing, of the Baptist church. A 
family of fourteen children was born to this 
worthy couple, the following being a brief 
mention: Justice K. ; Hannah, who married 
P. Fellows; Clara, who became the wife of B. 
Ballard; Betsey, who married A. Chase; 
Chauncey, who chose for his wife Calisa Win- 
chel; John B. ; Amy. who became the first 
wife of W. Scudder, after her death her sister 
Theresa being his second wife; Edwin and 
Philip, who died young; and Phebe, who mar- 
ried M. Kelly. The others died in infancy. 

John B. Kelly received a common-school 
education, and commenced farming when he 
was twenty-one years old. He married Mary 
A. Crosby, daughter of Benjamin L. and 
Hulda (Hull) Crosby, and grand-daughter of 
Thomas and Rebecca Crosby. Her father, 
Benjamin L., born in 1797, was a hale and 
hearty old farmer of Greene County, who 
almost cheated time by living to the remark- 
able age of ninety-five years. His wife, less 
sturdy, died when forty-two; and he then en- 
tered a second time into the bonds of matri- 
mony. His second wife, Elizabeth Dickson, 
was more of a match for him, for she attained 
the age of ninety-one. After his marriage 
John B. Kelly moved to Bradford County, 
Pennsylvania, where he bought a farm, but 
died there in a short time, leaving two chil- 
dren: Crosby, born September 16, 1S62; and 
John B., born July 18, 1S64. The latter 
married Sarah Van Acken, and lives in Kings- 
ton, being a mechanic by trade. Their 
mother, Mrs. Mary A. Crosby Kelly, lives at 
Griffin's Corners, and is highly esteemed by 
all who know her. 

Crosby Kelly was educated at Delaware 
Academy, and at twenty-one learned the car- 
penter's trade. His first work on his own 
account was building the Elemdorph store at 
Arkville. Since then he has built many fine 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



•157 



houses, among thcni many of the licautilul 
buililings at l-"K'ischmanns and Criffin's Cor- 
ners. In I.SS4 ho manictl Miss I'.llic Ilitt. 
claughtcr of Albert Hilt, a prosperous farmer 
of Union Grove, residins; now at (iriftin's 
Corners. One eliild, Mar\'. was born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Kelly, April 5, iSSj. Mr. Kelly 
has had a lart^e business e.xjjerieiice, and nccu- 
pies a high position in this community. He 
is an autliority on all matters pertaining tt) 
building interests. .Socially, he is a plea.sant 
man to meet, and is interested in the leading 
questions ol the day. He is a Democrat po- 
litically, and in all things is bright and enter- 
prising, a useful eiti/en, and well appreciated 
bv his fellow-townsmen. 



-OIIN 1). FICKGU.SON, a prominent 
merchant of Delhi, N.V., was born in 
Andes, .May iS. 1845, and is a son of 
David and I^lizabeth (Pierce) Fergu- 
His ])aternal grandfather, John Feigu- 
came with his father, David, to this 
country from .Scotland, settling in Dutchess 
Count)', bi.it later came to .\ndes. He had 
been brought uj) to agricultural pursuits, and 
after the death of liis father took charge of the 
old homesteatl, where he remained for many 
vears. During the last years of his life he 
moved to Clarence, la. He was twice mar- 
ried, leaving five children by his first wife and 
six bv his seconil. David I''ergus()n was 
brought up as a farmer and miller, buying a 
grist-mill near Hovina, which he conducted 
up to the time of his death. May 24, 1S84. 
He left a family of seven children: namely, 
Robert, John D., b'.lizabeth, William, David, 
Thomas, and Get)rge. 

John D. Ferguson was educated at the dis- 
trict schools. At the age of seventeen he 
enlisted in Company !•;, One Hundred and 
Forty-fourth Xew^ Vork \'olnnteer Infantry, 
and was attached to the I^leventh .Army 
Corps, serving througli the campaign of the 
Peninsula. He was honorably discharged, 
September 26, 1865. He then came to ]5o- 
vina, and worked on a farm for one year, 
afterward learning carjientry, and following 
that for ten years In the spring of 1S77 l^"^ 
went to California, engaging in the lumber 



business there until the fall of 1881. when lu- 
came to Delhi, and engaged at his trade ol 
contractor and builder. He has erected some 
of the largest and finest buildings in Delhi, 
which are monuments of his skill as a builder, 
in i8i>i he formed a partnership with Mr. 
Chuii hill, the owner of a large general store 
at Delhi. A year later .Mr. Churchill s(jld 
out liis interest to Mr. .Armstrong; and in a 
few months .Mr. F'erguson jjurehased .Mr. 
Armstrtmg's interest in the store, which he 
continued alone for a time, then took Mr. 
Groat into the business. The store is fitted 
up with a large ami varied stock of ready- 
made cli>lhing, dry goods, and groceries, 
which is second to none in the village. 

In 1872 Mr. Ferguson mariied Miss Mar- 
garet M. Bunnell, a daughter of Mrs. Mary 
Bunnell, of Delhi: and they have one child, 
I.illie M. .Mr. Ferguson is Junior Warden of 
Delhi Lodge. .A. F. & -A. M., a member of 
Royal .Arch ChajHer, No. 249, and Pa.st Com- 
mander of Post No. 142, Grand .Army of the 
Republic. He is also an active member of 
the fire department, having been foreman of 
Hook and Ladder No. 3. Politically, he is 
a supporter of the Republican party, and has 
filled the ]iosition of Tax Collector. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. l-'erguson are members of the 
Methodist I*4)iscopal church, in wdiich they 
take great interest, Mr. I-'erguson being a 
teacher in the .Sunday-school, and his wife a 
member of the choir for many years. Mr. 
l'\'rguson is a man of the strictest probity and 
honor, j:>rogressi\-e in his ideas, and active in 
business, thus giving life and spirit to the 
town, and making it one of enterprise and 
continuous jirowth. 




ler s ir;uie. rioui no\ina Jie iemo\eii 
Middletcnvn, bought a farm of one hundr 
and fifty acres, and built thereon a log dwe 
ing-house and out-buildings. He cleared a 



f one hundred 

11- 

and 



458 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



improved the land; and, having carried out 
the injunction of the couplet which warns, 

•■ Before you marry. 
He sure of a home 
Wherein to tarry," 

he was joined in holy wedlock to Betsey Cum- 
mings. They had four sons and one daughter, 
namely: James C, who married Eliza Du- 
mond; Matthew G., who married Margaret 
Winters; Alexander, who married Mary Du- 
mond; and John G. ; and their sister, Mar- 
garet A., who died in early youth. Mrs. 
Betsey Russell died; and Matthew was again 
married to Miss Esther Blackman, by whom 
he had three children, whose brief record fol- 
lows: Stephen married Hannah Wooden, Mar- 
garet Ann married Andrew Glendening, and 
Roswell married Betsey Russell. 

Matthew Russell lived to be seventy-five 
years old, and his wife Esther reached the age 
of fifty-five or sixty. Both were mernbers of 
the Presbyterian church, and the husband was 
a Democrat. 

John G. Russell, a son of Matthew by his 
first wife, was born in Bovina, April 25, 
1822. Having learned the milling trade, he 
found employment as a miller for six years 
here before he began farming on a tract of one 
hundred acres of land, which he purchased 
near New Kingston, and which is now owned 
by his son Oscar. He remained on the farm 
for thirty-two years; and then, abandoning its 
active cares, he came to New Kingston, where 
he now lives, at nearly seventy-three years of 
age, quietly enjoying the reward of his long- 
continued toil. On Christmas Day of 1845 
he was married to Miss Jane Chisholm, who 
was a daughter of Andrew and Elsie Chis- 
holm, and who became the mother of six chil- 
dren. She died at the age of sixty-nine, 
survived by five children, namely: Alice 
Jane, who married William Boggs, of Bovina, 
and has one child; Elizabeth E., wife of 
Sloan Archibald, a farmer in Bovina, they 
having two children; Margaret A., who died 
young; Andrew M., of New Kingston; John 
Oscar, a farmer, who married Miss Belle 
Thompson, and lives near New Kingston; and 
Mary Adelia, the wife of Arthur H. Russell, 
of Unionville, Mich., who has one child. Mr. 



John G. Russell married for his second wife 
Miss Elizabeth S. Miller, a daughter of 
Thomas and Margaret (Scott) Cowens, and a 
member of the United Presbyterian church. 

Andrew M., son of John G. and Jane (Chis- 
holm) Russell, pursued his elementary studies 
in the schools of New Kingston, and finished 
his education at Stamford Academy. As a 
young man he worked on his father's farm, 
and taught school for seven terms. He then 
began selling farming implements for the firm 
of Wheeler & Mellet. He is now Postmaster 
of New Kingston, to which place he came in 
1884. Here he met and married Miss Anna 
Winters, daughter of Robert and Margaret 
(Chisholm) Winters. Mr. A. M. Russell is 
a Democrat in politics, and has held several 
of the minor public offices in the town. His 
wife is a memlDer of the United Presbyterian 
church of New Kingston, where they reside. 



AMES S. MINOR is a well-known and 
highly esteemed business man of De- 
posit, proprietor and manager of Mi- 
nor's Manufactin-ing Company of that 
place, one of the prominent and representa- 
tive enterprises of Deposit, and contributing 
not a little to its prosperity and importance. 
Mr. Minor's paternal grandfather, Philo 
Minor, was a native of Connecticut, being- 
born in that State, May 3, 1781. He became 
one of the pioneers of Chenango County, New 
York, where he followed the useful and time- 
honored occupation of farming, and became a 
popular and highly respected citizen of his 
locality. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Polly Stilson, was born March 26, 1783, and 
died Eebruary 6, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Philo 
Minor had a large fainily, six of whom, three 
boys and three girls, attained maturity. 

George Minor, one of their sons, was born 
November 3, 1803, was reared on the farm, 
and when a young man came to Deposit, 
where he obtained employment with Martial 
R. Hulce, a well-known citizen, who was then 
engaged in the lumber business at that place. 
After remaining here for some time Mr. 
Minor returned to Chenango County, built a 
store, engaged in mercantile business, and 
dealt to some extent in pine lumber. The 



-^^ ^^ 




JflMEs S. Minor. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



461 



lumber was hauled acri)ss counti)- b)' icani to 
Deposit, where it was made into rafts on the 
river, and thus floated down to the Philadel- 
phia market. The business inereasetl in ex- 
tent and importance; and Mr. Minor, finding 
his financial prospects improviiii; so rapidly, 
made an especial effort, ami invested the bulk 
of his profits in a large supply of this useful 
product of the forests, which he had on the 
river in rafts, when a freshet occurred whicii 
swept awa)- the lumber and his fortune at the 
same time. Tiiis would have tliscouraged 
most men; but Mr. Minor met his bad luck 
with fortitude, and went to work anew. Re- 
ceiving an inheritance from his father, he 
used it to apply on his debts, and by dint of 
industry and economy finally succeeded in 
clearing off all his intlebtedness and meeting 
ever\- obligation, [xiying out' hundred cents 
on the ilollar — an example of business honor 
and fidelity that might be coi)ied to advantage 
by firms and individual^; of to-day. I\Ir. 
(ieorge Minor died .September 18, 1S80. He 
was twice married, first to Miss Maria L. 
Wattles, who died, leaving two children, and 
second to the mother of the subject of this 
sketch, Miss Ann Eli/.a .Smith, who was born 
in Delaware County, and was a daughter of 
Ralph Smith. The latter was a native of 
Connecticut, where he was born, in Chatham, 
Middlesex County, March 2, 1780. He died 
in Deposit, N.V., January 17, 1850. 

James S. iMinnr was born in Deposit, Janu- 
ary 19, 1840; and it was in the following 
year that his parents removed to Chenango 
County. He laid the foundations of a good 
and substantial education in the district 
schools of his locality, which were of a high 
degree of excellence. He later attended the 
seminary at Deposit, and spent two terms at 
the Delaware T.iterary Institute. He im- 
proved his opportunities, became an excellent 
scholar, and was engaged in teaching in the 
town of Deposit, Delaware County, during 
one winter, and during another in Chenango 
County. The money he earned in the latter 
jjlace he turned over to his father to be 
applied upon the hitter's debts. He was at 
tills time about twenty years (dd; and, mak- 
ing up his mind to obtain some regular em- 
ployment, he came to Deposit that year with 



a cash cajntal of just one dollar. lie first 
obtained a situation as clerk in a stfjre, re- 
ceiving for his services for the first year 
seventy ilollars antl his board, and for the 
second year ten dollars ])er month. He was 
industrious, and applied liimself earnestly to 
business and to obtaining a close insight into 
business methods. During this time he be- 
came acquainted with C. M. I'utnam, of this 
l)lace, who had some capital : and an agree- 
ment was reached between them by which a 
])artnership was formed untler the name of 
I'utnam & Minor. They bought out the store 
of N. A. ICggle-ston, which they conducted, 
and where Mr. Minor was engaged in taking 
care of the business in 1862. They were 
very prosperous, and continued the jiartner- 
ship until 1886, when they dissolved. The 
attention of Mr. Minor was then directed to 
manufacturing interests, anil, after looking 
over the ground, he established a jilant for the 
manufacture of shirts, overalls, and other 
articles in the line of men"s furnishing goods, 
putting in machinery and stock to the amount 
of five thousand dollars; and thus the Minor's 
Manufacturing Company was inaugurated. 
The first three years of the firm's existence 
were not very successful ones, and the out- 
look was rather discouraging: but Mr. Minor 
was not a man to give up easily, and simply 
renewed his efforts, his persistence being 
finally rewarded by larger sales and a rapidly 
increasing demand for the goods manufactured 
by the firm. At the present time the busi- 
ness done amounts to about eighteen thousand 
dollars per year, and furnishes employment to 
about fifteen hands. It is one of the sound 
and substantial business enterprises of De- 
posit, and lias done much to advance the pros- 
perity and enhance the progress of the village. 
Mr. Minor is also closely connected with other 
flourishing business enterprises. Among 
them he owns, in company with his brother, 
.'\. v. Minor, the Deposit .Marble Works, 
which they purchased togetlier in 1884. He 
also owns two farms, which come untler his 
management, and is besides the administra- 
tor of quite a large estate. He is also a 
stock-holder and present Treasurer of the 
Deposit Water Works, and takes an active 
interest in most of the matters that concern 



462 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



the welfare of the village and the surrounding 
country. 

Mr. James S. Minor married Miss Mary K. 
Burrows, daughter of Henry Burrows, whose 
father was Hubbard Burrows, a native of Con- 
necticut, and a pioneer of Delaware County. 
Henry Burrows was a life-long resident of 
Deposit. The maiden name of his wife, 
mother of Mrs. Minor, was Cynthia Smith. 
She was a daughter of James Smith, and was 
born in April, 181 1, in Cortland County, 
New York. Mr. and Mrs. Minor are the par- 
ents of eight children now living, namely: 
George H., a graduate of Hamilton College at 
Clinton, N.Y., and now Assistant Professor 
of Mathematics in the North-western Univer- 
sity at Evanston, 111. ; William B., a graduate 
of the Philadelphia Dental College, practis- 
ing in Deposit; Henrietta J., a graduate of 
the normal school at New Paltz, N.Y., and 
now a teacher in Deposit; James A., a Senior 
at Hamilton College; Harriet M., now in her 
second year at Smith College, Northampton, 
Mass.; Ralph, a graduate of Deposit Union 
School, who will enter college in the fall of 
1894; Clark and Edith, now attending the 
Deposit Union School. Mr. Minor takes a 
deep interest in educational matters, and, as 
will be seen, is taking pains to secure to his 
children that advanced cultivation of the in- 
tellectual faculties that will place them in a 
position to grasp the best of life's opportuni- 
ties, and fit them for taking a part and per- 
forming good service in the highest spheres of 
human activity. He has been largely instru- 
mental in raising the standard of the schools 
in Deposit and in the establishment of the 
present admirable system. 

Politically, Mr. Minor is a Republican, 
and indorses the national platform of that 
party. In religion he is a Presbyterian of 
broad and liberal views. He is one of the 
most influential members of that church in 
Deposit, is very active in church work, and is 
at present Deacon and Treasurer in the church 
of his choice, toward the building of which he 
contributed liberally of his means. He has 
also assisted in the construction and establish- 
ment of other Protestant churches, and has 
not been found wanting when called upon to 
give both moral and financial aid to benevo- 



lent and Christian enterprises of various 
kinds. His life has been one of industry and 
active exertion; and all his labors have been 
directed by a high moral sense of responsibil- 
ity to himself, to humanity, and to God. He 
has ever borne the Golden Rule in mind in 
his dealings with his fellow-men, and has so 
won their confidence and esteem. In connec- 
tion with this sketch there appears a more 
graphic representation of Mr. Minor's person- 
ality, as depicted in the accompanying 
portrait. 




ANSOM A. GRANT, Deputy County 
Clerk of Delhi, Delaware County, 
N.Y., was born November 20, 
1847, in the town of Middletown. 
His father, W. Ward Grant, was born in the 
same town and in the same house, on April' 
12, 1824, the homestead having been in pos- 
session of the family for many years. The 
Grants are of Scotch descent, and come from 
the same stock to which the late General 
Grant belonged. The paternal grandfather 
had but two sons who grew to maturity, 
namely: John, who was a lawyer by profes- 
sion, and died October 5, 1S69, aged forty- 
two years; and W. Ward. The latter, who 
was the second son, assisted his father in the 
management of the farm, and spent his entire 
life on the old homestead. He took an active 
part in the politics of his day, serving very 
acceptably for two terms as County Clerk, to 
which position he was nominated by the Re- 
publican party. He married Malinda Wol- 
cott, who was born June 29, 1825, a daughter 
of Ransom Wolcott. Mr. and Mrs. Grant 
reared the following-named children: Ran- 
som, Newman, William W., and G. Chaun- 
cey. One son, John, died at the age of six 
years. Mrs. Grant died at Margarettville, 
aged sixty-one. 

Ransom A. Grant was educated in the dis- 
trict school, and, until he arrived at the age 
of eighteen, assisted his father on the farm. 
He afterward went to Delhi, where he took a 
course in the academy, and in 1867 was ap- 
pointed clerk in the County Clerk's office, 
under his father. In 1877 he was elected to 
the position of County Clerk, serving two 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



463 



terms of three years each, at the termination 
of which he engaged in the lumber business, 
and in the manufacture of sash, blinds, and 
doors, and general building materials. In 
1S83 his plant and machinery at Delhi were 
destro\etl i)y fire; and he then moved his 
business to ]^rookl\-n, continuing there until 
1885, when he returned to Delhi, and entered 
the County Clerk's office, under Mr. Georse 
'['. Warner. Me was appointed Dcinity Clerk 
under Mr. Crawford, which position he has 
retained ever since. 

Mr. Grant was married in 1869 to Miss 
Augusta Covert, a daugiUer of Thomas and 
Jane (Graham) Covert. Of this union there 
is one son, who is now ntteiiding the academy 
at Delhi. Mr. Grant has served as village 
Trustee, which position he filled with entire 
satisfaction. In his religious views he is a 
Presb_\-terian, and the .Second Presbyterian 
Church finds in him an active supporter. 
During iiis long tenure of public office he has 
ftlled his position to the entire satisfaction of 
all; and, being the possessor of those quali- 
ties which go to make a true and loyal man, 
he is esteemed and respectetl by all. 



T^h:Wl.S Sl'-.VMOL-R .SI'. JOHN, a lead- 
IJT ing citi/.cn of Walton, N.Y., was 
-L ^ ^ born in this town on Independence 
Day, 1845. The St. John geneal- 
ogy is directly traceable back to 1634; and 
sixteen years afterward, in 1650, Matthias 
St. John came to Norwalk, Conn. The 
family is of ancient French origin. .Some of 
its members cast in their fortunes with Will- 
iam the Conqueror as far back as the eleventh 
century, while others at a much later [jeriod 
became Muguenots in the Protestant Reforma- 
tion. In the nineteenth century the family 
interest has largely centred in the grandfather 
of our special subject. Cook St. John, who 
was born on June i. 1773, and died on Octo- 
ber II, 1876. He was a man to make one 
think of the words of a distinguished lady: 
"Age, when it does not harden the heart and 
sour the temper, naturally returns to the 
milky disposit ion of infancy. Time has the 
same effect u])on the mind as on the face. 
The predominant passion, the strongest feat- 



uix', becomes more conspicuous from the 
others' retiring." The New York Ilcralii of 
May 3, 1876, apropos to our centennial year, 
])ublished a three-column account of an inter- 
view with this gentleman, which had been 
granted a few days before; and these were its 
headlines: "A Wonderful Career. Thrilling 
Ciiat with Cook St. John, One Hundred and 
Three Years Old. Recollections that almost 
antedate American Independence. Romantic 
Incidents from Washington to Grant." He 
was born in Wilton, Conn., and remembered 
the burning of Norwalk by the British forces 
when he was six years old, in 1779. I-'our of 
his elder brothers — Justin, Adonijah, Gideon, 
and Peter - were in the Revolutionary army. 
Their fatiier was Peter St. Jnhn, who after- 
ward came to Walton, where he tiled in 181 1, 
just before the War of 1 81 2, and far into the 
eighties in age. Tiiough a Yale graduate, 
Peter St. John was able to give his children 
but a meagre education. Cook was taught 
little beyond s])elling and cijihering, and had 
to begin self-support at the tender age of 
seven. He afterward spent one year as ap- 
prentice with a carpenter and joiner, and 
learneil the trade so thoroughly that he is the 
reputed inventor of the dove-tail joint, so in- 
dispensable to e\ery wood-worker. In his 
youth he hail employment in New York City, 
and there he helped to buiUl the first dock on 
the Hudson River. He first settled in New 
Canaan, where he owned a grist-mill. 

At the age of thirty-five, in 1807, Cook St. 
John came tu Walton, bringing with him his 
wife and two boys, and laboriously cleared a 
farm in what was then a wild region with a 
few scattered tlwellings. Here he remained 
nearly three-quarters of a century, achieving 
that measure of success which must ever 
accompany tact, energy, and a vigorous intel- 
lect, tiiougli physically he was strong rather 
than large. His memory was phenomenal, 
even in oUl age; and his narratives sountled 
like i-omances, though strictly true. He may 
justly be called the most notable man of his 
locality: for his career extendetl into two cent- 
uries, and he lived to see forty descendants, 
growing from eleven branches, and represent- 
ing five generations, all living within gunshot 
of the old home. Toward the close of his life 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



464 



he became nearly blind, but never lost his 
grip on the interests and joys of humanity. 
In politics he was a Whig till the Republican 
party was formed; and in religion he became 
a Universalist, when it cost something to 
cleave to an unpopular and liberal faith. His 
hundredth anniversary took place on June 3, 
1873, and was a most unique occasion. It 
was indeed a beautiful sight to see the white- 
haired veteran surrounded by one hundred and 
eleven friends, of whom scores had his blood 
circulating in their veins, and varied in age 
from two to eighty-three. The gathering was 
at the house of his son, Thaddeus Seymour 
St. John. On the lawn the tables were 
spread in a temporary refectory, adorned with 
laurel and the national flag. Though some- 
what careworn, the patriarch's face beamed 
with smiles of satisfaction. On his right and 
left were his nearest kinsmen, and on the 
table was the birthday cake, three and a half 
feet high, arranged in a hundred layers, and 
o-raced with as many varieties of flowers. 
After the banquet our old friend retired for 
his usual nap. In a felicitous speech the 
family pastor, the Rev. Mr. Purrington, re- 
ferred to the venerable man's declaration that 
for seven years he lived with his first wife, 
fifty with his second, and twenty with his 
daughter-in-law, with never an unkind word 
from either— a fact which speaks volumes for 
the man himself. 

His first wife, Polly Seymour, died July 2, 
1 804, at the early age of twenty-seven, after 
the removal to Walton, leaving three chil- 
dren, of whom Thaddeus Seymour, our sub- 
ject's father, was the eldest. The other boy, 
William St. John, was an early California 
])ioncer, but died in Walton, at the age of 
seventy-five, leaving four sons and two daugh- 
ters, of whom three are still living. The 
sister, Betty St. John, born in 1800, married 
Nathaniel Gray Eells, a brother of her brother 
Seymour's wife; but she also died in Walton. 
Grandfather Cook St. John's second wife, to 
whom he was married in Walton, January 7, 
1805, was Anna Benedict, of Norwalk, Conn.; 
and she bore two sons and one daughter — 
John, Polly, and Giles. She died in 1850, 
aged seventy-six; and none of her children 
now survive. In fact, they died before their 



father, who did not pass away tilj the centen- 
nial year, when he was nearly four years past 
his century, his funeral being attended by the 
first-born offspring of four generations — ^that 
is, his eldest son, grandson, great-grandson, 
and great-great-grandson. 

Thaddeus Seymour St. John, commonly 
known as Uncle Seymour, was born in New 
Canaan, Conn., November 25, 1797, and be- 
fore the family removed to Walton, where he 
died September 16, 1887, his body lying be- 
neath a granite shaft in the cemetery, whither 
his wife's body was borne eleven days later. 
She was over eighty-seven years old, and her 
maiden name was Hannah Gray Eells. Of 
their seven children three lived to maturity; 
and two sons — Lewis Seymour and William 
Seymour, both of Walton — are now living. 
Mary St. John married David Peabody, and 
died in Walton in 1864, at the age of forty- 
four. Mr. and Mrs. Thaddeus Seymour St. 
John were married in 18 18, and lived together 
sixty-five years. He became a Republican 
when the party was formed, like his father, 
and was prominent in public affairs, as Jus- 
tice of Peace and President of the village. 
In earlier years he traded largely in grain and 
lumber, which he rafted to Philadelphia. 

His son, Lewis S. St. John, our subject, 
was educated partly in Walton Academy. 
After being for a while a clerk for his elder 
brother William, he went into business on his 
own account. In 1870, when he was twenty- 
five years old, and ill health made it advisable 
to be more out of doors, he found employment 
in a civil engineer corps, on the New York & 
Oswego Midland Railroad, and worked there 
till its completion one year later. For five 
more years he held other positions with the 
company. From 1876 to 1885 he was con- 
ductor on the main line. He then embarked 
in the hardware business with his nephew, 
Julius W. St. John; but after four years in 
the store, he went back to the road as con- 
ductor of the passenger train running between 
Delhi and Walton, a place he still holds. As 
a P'ree Mason, he belongs to Delaware Chap- 
ter, has taken the Scottish rites, has been 
Master of the Blue Lodge seven years, was 
two years District Deputy Grand Master, 
under Grand Master John W. Vrooman, and 



niOGRAPHICAI, REVIKW 



l^'5 



is now Master of a Lo(l2;c of Perfection, ;uul 
holds the position of Assistant Grand Lect- 
urer for the eleventh Masonic district, with 
Grand Lecturer George H. Raymond. 

His marriage took ])lace on Octoher 30, 
1 866, soon after he attainetl his majority; and 
his bride was Mary Launt, horn in Ilamden, 
the daugliter of I'rederick and Marietta 
(Chase) Launt. Iler father died August 4, 
1876, aged sixt)'-four, ten years after her mar- 
riage; though lier mother still lives in Wal- 
ton, at the age of seventy-six. Mr. and ^Frs. 
Lewis Seymour St. John iiave two children 
living, a daughter ami a son, and iiave buried 
one daughter, lulna, at the age of three. 
Helen B. St. John is now tlie wife of John H. 
-Smith, of Norwich. N.\'.; and they have a 
fine boy, Harold llorton .Smith, two and a 
half years ol<l. Hari)hl Launt St. John, born 
in 1S75, is a graduate of the high school, antl 
still lives at home. The .St. John family may 
well enjoy the sa\'ing of the great Universal- 
ist preacher, Hosea Ballon, about home, — 

"In family government let this be ahvavs 
remembered, that no reproof or denunciation 
is so potent as the silent infiueiux' of a gooil 
example." 




.LI AM R. HL.CKLL.V, an enter- 
[jrising resident of .Stamford, N.V., 
who has done much to pi'omote the 
growth of the place, was born June 24, 1820, 
at New Britain, Hartford County, Conn., and 
was the son of Moses W. and Mary (Corn- 
well) Becklc)-. Moses W. Heckley was born 
at Berlin, C.'onn.. and in his youth leariu'd the 
harness-maker's trade, w^hich he followed for 
some years, but later bought a farm, \\p<n\ 
which he died when seventy-six years old, and 
where his wife ])assed away at the age of 
eighty-four. .She was a member of the Bap- 
tist church, and had seven children — Sarah, 
William R., Henrv. George, ICunice, Caro- 
line, and Moses all except two of whom 
grew to maturity. 

William R. Beckley, having received his 
education at tlie district school of his native 
town, learned the harness-maker's trade with 
his father, and continued in this for two or 
three years. His first removal w-as to Cox- 



sacisie, .\ . \ ., where lii.' stayed a yiMi .iiki :i 
lialf, and then came to .Stamford in 1844, and 
boiigiit a harness store, in connection with 
whicii he carried on a tanner)'. His under- 
takings thus far being very successful, he 
bought lam! east of the creek, and erected 
buildings, which he sold when completed, 
l-'rom this time he engaged in building exten- 
sivelv. and was the first to erect business 
blocks at that end of the town. He has en- 
gaged in various lines of business, including 
clotiiing, grocery, dry goods, tanner}', and 
blacksmithing. Mr. Beckley also started a 
stage route between Catskill and Delhi, 
touching at Hunter, also from Stamford to 
Richmondville, and from .Stamford to Km- 
mons Station via Davenport, owning in this 
connection nearl\' sixty horses. He bought 
tracts of land by the acre, cutting streets and 
walks through them, setting out shade-trees, 
among which were one hundred of the most 
beautiful maples in the town, and selling 
house lots with the contract that the purchaser 
was to build thereon. By this means he 
carried eiut his favorite idea of building up 
the town, and making it one of the most beau- 
tiful places in this part of the comity. 

In 1846 William R. Beckley married Re- 
becca H. Maynard, ilaughter of .Samuel May- 
nard, whose sketch is given elsewhere in this 
volume. Mr. and Mrs. Beckley have had 
three children: l-"remont, who died when four 
}ears of age; l-"annie, born August 19, 1S54, 
who married William Riseley, a successful 
bhle-stone and granite dealer of Kingston, 
and who is the mr.ther of six box's and two 
girls: I'rederick B., Clarence M., Claude !•"., 
Carrie 1<.. Helen I.. Raymond B., lulmund, 
and Larl D. : and William M., born October 2, 
1868, wlio, after finishing his studies, started 
as a clerk in the jKist-ofTice, also working at 
telegrajjhy, and tiiree years later went as 
clerk in the post-office at .Shandaken. after- 
ward being employed with his father in the 
post-office at .Stamford. He is now the owner 
of the gentlemen's furnishing and tailoring 
business which formerly belongt'd to R. W. 
Laughlin; and this he carries on in a well- 
appointed store. William M. Beekle\' was 
married December 27, 1894, to Cornelia L. 
I'reston. 



466 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Mr. William R. Beckley, after selling out 
his stage route, retired from business life; 
but, being of an active temperament, unable 
to endure idleness, he bought a piece of land 
near the railway station, erecting thereon a 
building in which he carried on a produce 
and commission business. His health fail- 
ing, he at length gave up business, and is 
now spending his last years in well-earned 
rest, having the satisfaction of looking back 
upon a life well spent. He served as Post- 
master during President Cleveland's first 
administration. Mr. Beckley is an Odd 
Fellow, belonging to the Hobart Lodge, In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Mr. Beckley is widely known for his 
extensive labors in building and improving 
the town, and his long-continued efforts in 
this direction have been highly appreciated by 
his tellow-citizens. 




'ON. WILLIAM L. FORD, one of 
the older citizens of Deposit, 
Broome County, has been promi- 
nently identified with local interests 
in this part of the country for many years, 
and has taken an active part in promoting the 
welfare and advancement of the community in 
which he resides. His aspirations through 
life have ever been toward an ideal manhood; 
and, following in the path of duty and honor, 
he has gained the respect and approbation of 
his fellow-men. He represented the county 
of Broome in the State Assembly in 1852, in 
1872, and in 1873, and assisted in the enact- 
ment of wise and wholesome laws, refusing 
his sanction to unjust measures and those of 
doubtful expedience. Impervious alike to 
bribery and intimidation, he is a man who 
cannot be induced to perform any act which 
to his mind would involve a breach of prin- 
ciple or a betrayal of his own conscience. 
He was an able and trustworthy legislator, 
and was not one of that class of politicians 
who maintain their positions by corrupt meth- 
ods and questionable practices. Mr. Ford is 
of Scotch and Irish extraction. His grand- 
father, Benjamin Ford, who was a resident of 
Newport, Herkimer County, was a Deacon in 



the Baptist church, a consistent Christian 
gentleman, and a man of high moral influence. 
The father of our subject was Daniel Ford, 
who married Elizabeth Scott, a native of the 
town of Bernardston, Mass. Daniel Ford was 
a native of Albany, and when a boy came to 
Herkimer County, where he lived on a farm. 
In 1836 he remo\-ed to Whitestown, Oneida 
County, residing there until his death, which 
occurred in 1883, at the age of eighty-two 
years. His wife lived to be seventy-nine 
years old. They were the parents of eight 
children, namely: Philander, deceased ; Eliza, 
who became the wife of James S. Whitman, 
of Muncie, Ind. ; Philinda, who lives at 
Yorkville, Oneida County; Mary A. (de- 
ceased), who was the wife of Nathan Davis, 
of Panama, Chautauqua County, N.Y.; Rod- 
ney A., coal agent for the Delaware & Hud- 
son Railroad at Binghamton; Ann M., who 
married Charles Graham, and is living at 
Whitesboro, Oneida County, N.Y. ; S. Au- 
gusta, wife of Sylvanus Hoag, of Yorkville, 
Oneida County; and William L., the subject 
of this sketch. 

The latter was born in the village of 
Middleville, Herkimer County, N.Y., March 
12, 1820. He remained there until the age 
of sixteen, attending the common schools as 
he had opportunity, and working on the farm 
when required. He then engaged at New 
York Mills as a clerk in a general store, 
meanwhile pursuing his education as best he 
could. He continued there till 1841, in 
which year he went to Binghamton, where 
his brother Rodney was engaged in the dry- 
goods business, remaining there until 1846, 
when he came to Deposit, bringing with him 
a stock of general merchandise. In this place 
he went into business, and after about three 
years formed a partnership with George T. 
Belding, the style of the firm being Ford & 
Belding, and they operating on the Delaware 
County side of the line. This arrangement 
continued for about three years, when Mr. 
Ford bought out Mr. Belding, and took for a 
partner John B. Perry, the firm being then 
known as Ford & Perry. This firm carried 
on a considerable business, the partnership 
remaining intact for about twenty-five years; 
and during that time, in 1865, they built the 



BIOGRAPHICAI, REVIF.W 



.,67 



three-story frame biiiUlin^ known as I'oril's 
store, anil also an aildition to the i:iost-office. 
In 1882 Mr. Foril houj;lu out Mr. Ferry's in- 
terest, and conikicted a successful business 
till, compelled by failing health, he .sold the 
stock in 1892 to Mr. \V. H. \Vilc(i.\: but, 
continuing to deal in i)utter, he lor liiat \n\v- 
pose retained an office in the building. Mr. 
Ford was first married in Binghamton to 
Sarah A. Morgan, daughter of Augustus 
Morgan and a sister of Tracy Morgan. From 
this union sprang two children, both now de- 
ceased. Mrs. Ford died in 1848; and our 
subject was married the second time, in 1858, 
to .Sarah C. Ward, a daughter of .Austin 
Ward, of Holland Patent, Oneida County, and 
by her had three children: Sarah !■:.. residing 
at home; .Anna W.. wife of Dr. Ward, of 
Binghamton, having two children, Charles A. 
and Sarah 1". : and A. Ward, who married 
Ada Ford, of Oneonta. and is now residing at 
Binghamton, being the father of three chil- 
dren, William 1.., jr., Elizabeth, and Flor- 
ence W. .Mr. l-'ortl's second wife, the mother 
of these children, died in 1878. Our subject, 
in addition to other public service, was Su- 
pervisor of the town of .Sanford, Broonn' 
Countv, and called the attention of the Board 
to manv matters of importance, being well 
calculated to advance the true interests of the 
people in any jiublic place or position. Mr. 
Ford was a great admirer of Henry Clay, 
and cast his first vote for him in 1844, 
when Clav was the Whig candidate for the 
Presidencv. llis defeat was a bitter dis- 
appointment to Mr. I'ord, for all through 
his younger days Clay was his model and 
ideal. 

Mr. Ford has served for years on the Board 
of Education, and has also been the President 
of the \'illage Board. He is a Director in 
the Broome County National Bank, and has 
always manifested much interest in the social, 
moral, and intellectual well-being of Deposit 
and its neighboring communities. He is a 
man of strong mentality, and is remarkably 
active for one of his years. His useful life 
and honorable career have made him many 
admirers; and all will hope that years (if com- 
fort and honor, as well as pidilic utility, may 
still be before him. 




kRS. SAK.All H. rO\VNSi:ND is 
ine ol that older circle of benevo- 
lent and high-minded women in 
Walton, daily growing smaller, 
which is looked to for advice in all the works 
of charity of the town. She is the widow of 
John Townsend, who died October 3, 1870, 
aged sixty-seven, and occupies the old home- 
stead which was built by his father, William 
Townsend, about 1796, nearly one hundred 
vears ago. 

Dr. Piatt Townsend, father of William, was 
born on Long Island in 1733; ^'"'l. when he 
came to this ])art of the country with his fam- 
ily in 1795, he found nothing before him but 
an unbroken forest. Here he cleared for him- 
self a homestead and built a log cabin, which 
his son afterward replaced by the stanch farm- 
house where his descendants now live, and 
which bids fair to stand for many years to 
come and shelter many generations more of 
Townsends. Dr. Piatt Townsend was three 
times married. His first wife was Elizabeth 
Hul5bartl: and she was mother of William, 
Isaac, and Piatt, the latter dying when but 
eight years old. The Doctor's second wife 
was Martha Dickinson, by whom he had one 
daughter, PVances, who became the wife of 
Lancaster Lupton, an I-aiglishman of wealth 
and influence, in the direct line of the nobil- 
ity. His third wife was .Ann (loslin. who 
survived him thirteen years, and died March 
29. 1828, ninety-tw-o years of age. Dr. 
Townsend died at the old homestead in 1S15. 
He rests in the family burial-place on the an- 
cestral tarm. He was a much beloved and 
public-sjiiritetl citizen, and at his decease left 
a verv large property in land and stock: but. 
what Was better than all earthly possessions, 
he had laid up for himself a goodly store of 
the high regard and respect of his fellow-men 
and the sure approbation of his (iod. 

William Townsend was born before the 
family left Long Island, and died Decem- 
ber 24, 1849. He married Abigail Smith, 
by whom he had ten children: Maria, born 
in 1 791; Nancy, born in 1793; Smith, who 
died in the pr'ime of life; Piatt, born in 
1801: lohn, before named, born in 1S03; 
Cornelia, born in 1805: Eliza, born in 1807, 
wife of Rev. E. Wills: lulward, born in 



468 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



i8ii,cliecl in Morrisvillc, N.Y., 1884, after 
:ill his family had passed away; Charles B., 
born in 1S13: Abigail, born in 1815. The 
mother of these children died eight years 
before her husband, in 1841. 

Mrs. Sarah H. Townsend, the subject of 
this sketch, was born in the town of Franklin, 
Delaware County, in 1821. She was the 
daughter of Simeon and Mary McGregor Mul- 
ford. Her father was a native of Long 
Island, and her mother came from Batavia. 
In 1824 Simeon Mulford moved from Frank- 
lin to Walton, where he purchased a farm 
of several hundred acres, a part of which is 
now village residences and the fair ground. 
When his failing health made active business 
impossible, he sold his Walton property, and 
moved to Bainbridge, Chenango County. He 
died in Unadilla in 1856, at eighty years of 
age; and his wife died in 1866, having also 
reached fourscore. Mrs. Townsend had one 
half-brother. Captain Daniel Howell, who 
served through the Civil War. He was for 
many years a distinguished citizen of Wau- 
kesha, Wis., in which place he died in De- 
cember, 1890, aged eighty-three. He was 
high in the Masonic orders, and in many ways 
distinguished himself, being the prime mover 
in establishing a post-office at Salem cross- 
roads in Chautauqua County, N.Y. A sister 
of Daniel Howell is still living in Waukesha. 
She is the witlow of Mr. Lockwood, of that 
town, and is still a vigorous lady, although 
nearly an octogenarian. Mrs. Townsend's 
own sister is the wife of M. N. Kline in New 
York City. 

Mrs. Townsend was educated at the Franklin 
Institute, and was a teacher before her mar- 
riage to John Townsend in her twenty-second 
year. She has three children, namely: 
Charles W. Townsend, a member of the Stock 
Ex'change, New York City, and having a fam- 
ily of one son and one daughter; William, a 
successful lawyer in Utica, N.Y., married, 
but without children; and John H., who re- 
sides here with his mother on the home farm 
and in the old and spacious house already 
spoken of and so well known to all who are 
at all familiar with Walton and its surround- 
ings. John H. Townsend married in January, 
1880, Florence Bostwick, of W'alton, daughter 



of Jabez and Jane (Chase) Bostwick, and 
grand-daughter of Judge Bostwick, of this 
county. After the death of Mr. Bostwick 
his wife married Robert Launt; and after his 
decease she came here to Walton, where she 
still resides. John H. Townsend and his 
wife have but one child, Howell Bostwick, a 
promising youth of thirteen, tall and manly in 
bearing, an apt student, and one who shows 
much decided talent for art. 

Much of the village of Walton now occu- 
pies the Townsend farm ; and both the Con- 
gregational and Episcopal churches are on 
sites presented by the Townsends from their 
ancestral acres, the former church having 
been given by William and the latter by 
John Townsend, who also presented to the 
town the land for the high school, or acad- 
emy, as it was called in the earlier days. He 
was an excellent man, public-spirited and 
benevolent, setting the example to his towns- 
men of giving freely to all worthy objects, 
and through his influence carrying out many 
schemes for the improvement of the town and 
its people. He was a stanch Democrat, but 
never held office, allowing the casting of his 
vote to suffice for his share in the country's 
welfare. He was a member of the Congrega- 
tional church, to which his wife still belongs. 
The name of Mrs. Townsend will long be re- 
membered, not only for the lionor cast upon 
her family and the noble race with which she 
is connectetl by marriage, but more because of 
her high-minded moral earnestness and the 
disinterested service which she is always 
ready to give. 




SCAR I. BENNETT, a retired farmer 
and a public-spirited and pliilan- 
thropic citizen of Hobart, was born in 
Stamford, September 21, 1828, dur- 
ing the Presidency of John Ouincy Adams. 
His parents were Isaac and Nany (Foot) Ben- 
nett. 

His grandfather, Daniel Bennett, came 
from Connecticut to Delaware County, New 
York, as a surveyor, and, buying a tract of 
land in Stamford, began to clear away the 
forest. While thus engaged, he was surprised 
and captured by the famous Indian chief, Cap- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



tain l^rant, and his band of savages, who took 
him to Canada, where he remained in eaptiv- 
itv six years. Discovering tiiat lie was a 
tailor by trade, the British forced him to 
make clothing for the army officers, keeping 
!iim tluis occupied until the close of the Revo- 
lution, allowing him small wages in jiayment 
for his work. The soldiers often rohlied him 
of his earnings; but, by covering his gold 
pieces and using them as buttons, and by 
other ingenious devices, he contrived to con- 
ceal, and thus retain, a part of his earnings. 
After his release he returned to .Stamford to 
engage in farming, and Iniilt a lug cabin, in 
which he dwelt some years. Daniel Ben- 
nett's family consisted of seven children: 
William; Abijah ; John; Isaac; Charity; and 
two other daughters, whose names are not re- 
corded. All grew up, though not one of them 
is now living. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett both 
lived to a good old age, he dying while on a 
visit to one of his sons in Cayuga County. 
lie was a man of industry and intelligence, 
liberal in his religious views, and in politics 
what was then known as a Whig, or Patriot. 

Isaac Bennett, son of Daniel, and father of 
the subject of this sketch, was born in Hart- 
ford, Conn., March 12, 1777, and came to 
Stamford with his father in childhood, lie 
married Nany Foot, also a nativ'c of Connecti- 
cut, where she was born in 1785. He liegan 
life as a merchant, but after a time turned his 
attention to agriculture. lie tiist bought 
forty-two acres of land, and then added to it 
from time to time, until he became the ]ios- 
scssor of a farm of two hundred and ten acres, 
besides a wood-lot of fifty. He was a hard- 
working, frugal man, who began life with no 
capital save energy and ability, and raised 
himself to the independent and desirabL' posi- 
tion of a well-to-do farmer sokly by his own 
exertions. He was Supervisor tor several 
terms, and held other minor offices. He was 
a man of a benevolent nature and enlightened 
views. Believing in the goodness ol (iod and 
man, his opinions were reflected in his relig- 
ious belief, which was that of the Universal- 
ist church. In politics he was, like his 
father, a Whig, but became a Republican on 
the formation of that party. He died at the 
old homestead, April 15, 1864: but his wife 



had dejiarted lliis life fourteen years earliL-r, 
on I'\'hruary 10, 1.S50. Their children were: 
Mrs. I.auni (iriffm and Mrs. Charlotte 
Stevens, both deceased; Mrs. \'ohicia (irant, 
now a resident of Holwrt ; Daniel R. Bennett, 
a farmer, who died December 23, 1847, at 
the age of thirty-two, and who at the time of 
his death was town Su])er\-isor ; [ohn M. 
Bennett, who died in 18S7. aged sixtv-six 
years; and Oscar I. Bennett, the youngest of 
the family. 

Oscar I. Bennett, the special subject of this 
sketch, grew to manhood on the old Bennett 
farm; and- the instruction which he received 
in the district school was supplemented by 
that of [jrivate schools, and he also taught for 
(me winter. When twenty-one years of age, 
he took charge of the home farm, of which in 
due time he became the owner, paying off the 
other heirs, continuing to li\-e on his ances- 
tral acres sixty-four years. For a long time 
he carried it on as a general dairx- farm, toil- 
ing faithfully, and proving himself successful 
in every undertaking. The farm is in excel- 
lent condition. Most of the buildings now 
standing upon it were erected bv him, and 
many other improvements are the result of his 
industry and enterprise. In December. 1S93, 
he moved into the village of Ilobart, leaving 
his two sons to carry on the farm. On fune 
3, 1856, he m:uTied .Selina W. .Sturges, who 
was born in the town of .Stamford, lulv 2, 
1S32, and was the daughter of (jeorge and 
Maria (Olmstead) .Sturges. Her jjarents were 
of the [Moneer stock, and resided in the town 
to the end of their days, dying at an advanced 
age. They luui four sons and as many daugh- 
ters, all but one of whom are living to-day. 
iMr. and Mrs. Bennett have three children: 
Lotta .Sturges Bennett, living at home; ban- 

1 erson .Sturges Bennett, single; and Sherman 
Oscar Bennett, married. Both boys are pn 
the farm. Mrs. Bennett is a most estimable 
woman, a lady of refined tastes. Mr. Bennett 
has alwa\s been a public-spirited man, like 
his father, deeply and actively interested in 
the welfare of his town, where he has held 
various jiublic ofilces. He is \'ice-I'resident 

I of the National Bank of Ilobart. and a mem- 
ber of the village Board of Trustees. In 
religion he is liberal, and in politics a Prohi- 



47° 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



hitionist. Though possessing an abundance 
of this world's goods and a keen intellect, he 
shows the fine simplicity of his nature by a 
modestly unassuming and comfortable manner 
of life. His genuine kindness and strict hon- 
esty are proverbial among the people of his 
town, where truly it seems, 

None know him but to love him, 
None name him but to praise. 



THOMAS BURROWS, present Su- 
pervisor of the town of Deposit, Dela- 
ware County, N.Y., is one of the 
prominent residents of that part of 
the country, and comes from a family that was 
identified with the interests and development 
of the county at an early day. He has for 
twenty-two years been engaged in general 
merchandising in the village of Deposit, and 
has a high standing among the business men 
of that place. Mr. Burrows is of Scotch an- 
cestry; and some of his ancestors were officers 
in the Continental army during the War of 
the Revolution, one of them bravely ineeting 
his death while facing the foe at Stonington, 
Conn. This martial spirit appears to have 
been transmitted to some, at least, of their 
descendants, Mr. Burrows of this notice hav- 
ing well sustained the family reputation dur- 
ing the late civil strife. The grandfather of 
the subject of this sketch was Peris Burrows, 
a native of Connecticut, who came to York 
State many years ago, and was among the 
early settlers of the town of Tompkins (now 
the town of Deposit), Delaware County. His 
son, Harry Btirrows, was born in Delaware 
County, and married Betsey Whitaker, a na- 
tive of Wayne County, Pennsylvania. They 
were the parents of five children: Wealthy, 
now Mrs. A. K. Davis, and living in De- 
posit; I'^liza, wife of D. L. Demoney, of De- 
posit; George A., a farmer of the town of 
Deposit; James Thomas, of this sketch; and 
Frances, wife of W. W. Main, of Rock Val- 
ley, Delaware County. 

James Thomas, the subject of this sketch, 
was born in the town of Tompkins, now De- 
posit, Delaware County, November ii, 1841. 
He was brought up to agricultural pursuits; 
and, his father dying when he was quite 



young, the boys of the family were obliged to 
work hard, having to care for two farms. He 
was thus employed until he enlisted in .Au- 
gust, 1S64, in Company A of the One lliui- 
dred and Forty-fourth New York Volunteer 
Infantry. Although needed at home, he could 
not remain a passive spectator of the great 
struggle for national life that was then being 
carried on ; and so he went forth, as a soldier 
and patriot, determined to do his part, and 
have a share in saving the Union. He was 
in the battles of Hilton Head, Honey Hill, 
various skirmishes in South Carolina, in the 
charge on the Confederate works at James 
Island, and in a number of skirmishes about 
Charlestown. He was discharged on the 
close of the war at Hilton Head, June 20, 
1865, and was mustered out at Hlmira, N.Y., 
July 20 of the same year. He then went to 
work as clerk for his brother-in-law, D. L. 
Demoney, remaining thus engaged for five 
years, during which time he became familiar 
with the business. He then formed a part- 
nership with C. T. Edick, the style of the 
firm being Burrows & Edick. They bought 
out Mr. Demoney's store in Deposit, and con- 
tinued together for ten years. In 1880 our 
subject bought out his partner, and has since 
been sole proprietor. He was married Au- 
gust 3, 1870, to Lola Evans, daughter of 
Newell and Harriet (Webb) Evans. Mrs. 
Burrows is a lady of refinement, and was edu- 
cated in the high schools of Syracuse, where 
she was a teacher previous to. her marriage. 
They have had three children: Marian H.: 
Walter, deceased; and Lloyd, deceased. 

Mr. Burrows was first elected Supervisor in 
1883, and served that year, being defeated the 
year following for the same position. He 
was again elected in 1892, and again in 1893. 
Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, 
and is a member of Deposit Lodge, No. 396, 
and a member of the Deposit Chapter. Po- 
litically, he affiliates with the Republican 
party. He is a courteous, affable gentleman, 
of well-defined opinions, but liberal-minded, 
and always willing to hear both sides of a 
question. He is popular in his town and vil- 
lage, and his life history is one that is worthy 
of a place among those of the most honored 
residents of Delaware County. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



47' 




V. THOMAS I'ARK, pastor of the 
I'rcsbytcrian church at Walton, N.^'., 
15 \ is a native of Scotland, and was 

born there, April t6, 1.S45. His 
father and grandfather were both natives of 
that country. The grandfather sjienl his life 
there engaged in the vocation of a shepherd, 
and was the father of thirteen chiklren. One 
of his sons, Andrew Park, who was superin- 
tendent of a large woollen factory at Hawick 
for many years, came to this country in 1S57 
with a wife and eight children. He pm'- 
chased a farm at Andes, Delaware County, 
X.Y., where he remained for eleven years, 
and then moved to Iowa. He has in later 
years made his home with his son Thomas. 
Mr. Park was married in his native lanil to 
Miss S. Milligan; and the following chiklren 
were born to them, three after their arrival in 
this State: George R., William, Thomas, 
David, Andrew, Jane, Janet. Isabella, Sophia, 
Ellen, and Margaret. Ten of the eleven chil- 
dren arc living, all residents of this country. 

Rev. Thomas Park received his early edu- 
cation in .Scotland, attending the parish 
schools until he was thirteen. .After coming 
to America with his parents, he went to work 
on a farm. In the year 1870 he began his 
preparation for the ministry, attending Mon- 
mouth College, 111., for five years, graduating 
in the class of 1876. He afterward spent two 
years at the Theological .Seminary at New- 
l)urg, N.^'., graduating from there in 1878. 
His first charge was the United Presbyterian 
church at Del.ancey, where he remained fnmi 
1877 until 1892, when he came to his present 
charge at Walton. He is the first pastor to 
preside over the fine new church, which was 
dedicated in November, 1891. During Mr. 
Park's charge at DeLancey the church mem- 
bership increased nearly fourfold, and since 
his advent in Walton sixty-six new members 
Iiave been added. 

He was married in 1878 to Miss Cleghorn, 
a daughter of James and Anna (Steele) Cleg- 
horn, both of whom, are natives of .Scotland, 
Mrs. Park having come to this country at the 
age of three years. Rev. and Mrs. Thomas 
Park have six children: namely, Anna, Mary, 
William }., Ada, Andrew, and ICmma, all of 
whom are now attending the Walton Acad- 




emy. Mr. i'ark is an ardent supporter of the 
]3rinciples of prohibition. He is a man of 
genial manners and liberal views, his [lersonal 
popularit)', as well as the sincerity and effec- 
tiveness of his pulpit utterances, being at- 
testetl by the largely increased membershii) in 
both his charges. .A true she|)herd, he leads 
his flock. 



1;RR\' S. .MI1.1.1:R, though of Scot- 
tish descent, was born in the town 
of Bovina on I'ebruary 28, 1837. 
His father, William .Miller, was a 
farmer and she]iherd in .Scotland, who came to 
America in 1831 with a wife and three chil- 
dren. They were on the Atlantic for seven 
weeks, and were travtd-worn and wear\' when 
they arrived at \ew \'ork City. Coming to 
Delaware County, .Mr. Miller ])urchased land 
near Bovina, which he at once began to clear 
of the dense growth of timber with which it 
was covered. This work required patient in- 
dustry, and hardships were to be endured; but 
the bold emigrant who had dared to try his 
fortune in a strange land was no weakling, 
and the task was at length accomplished and a 
log cabin built. .As the young farmer grew 
more prosjierous, this modest dwelling gave 
place to a more ambitious structure of stone. 
Another farm had been purchased before a 
great while: and, when William Miller died 
at sevent)'-eight years of life, he left a com- 
fortable conij^etence f(;r those who came after 
him. His wife. Isabella (Dickson) Miller, 
attained to an age one year greater than that 
of her husband, whom she did imt long sur- 
vive. Despite Mr. Miller's busy, hard-work- 
ing life, he did not fail in the duties of a 
citizen, l)ut discharged faithful!)' the respon- 
sibilities ot the office intrusted to him by the 
jieople of the countv, being Road Commis- 
sioner for some time. In politics he was a 
Re]niblican; and botii husband and wife were 
members of the United Presbyterian church, 
in which organization he was earnestly inter- 
ested. Of the seven sons and one daughter 
born to them six sons are now living, nameh': 
Thomas and Michael, in Bovina; William, in 
Walton; Walter, in Delhi; Berry S.. in Bo- 
vina; Gilbert D., in Bovina Centre. Janette 



472 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



[., the only daughter, died in her thirty- 
second year, and David in infancy. 

Berry S. Miller grew up and was educated 
in his native school district. With the com- 
mon sense and inherent industry that charac- 
terize his nationality, he turned his attention 
toward practical farming, and worked out by 
the month. The modest stipend he earned 
was scarcely an equivalent for the labor ex- 
pended; but, in spite of this fact, at the age 
of twenty-five years, so saving had he been 
that he was able to buy the farm upon which 
he now lives. In 1866 he won the heart and 
hand of Miss Catharine E. Oliver, daughter of 
[ohn and Margaret Oliver, who have since 
ilied in Delhi, to whom he was married on 
December 20 of the same year. The lady 
was Scotch born; and so he followed the 
advice given by Nokomis to Hiawatha, — 

•• Wed a maiden of your ijcojjle. 
(Jo not eastward, jjo not westward." 

The farm now owned by Mr. Miller consists 
of one hundred and forty-si.x acres of land, 
and to its cultivation and improvement his en- 
tire energies are devoted. A herd of twenty 
Jerseys supply the dairy, which is noted for 
its cream and butter. 

When in 1864 the call for soldiers to fight 
for the preservation of the Union sounded 
throughout the boundaries of the Northland, 
Berry S. Miller ])rom[5tly put aside the pacific 
implements of agriculture, to gird on the 
weapons of warfare, enlisting under John 
Clark, One Hundred and l'"orty-fourth Regi- 
ment, New York Volunteers, Company E. 
He was in the battles of Honey Hill, Devoes 
Neck, Coosawhatchie, and several other en- 
gagements. On the i<Sth of July, 1865, he 
was honorably discharged ; but tiie hardships 
of campaigning had left their marks upon him, 
and he never fully recovered from the ill 
effects of the exposures and privations of the 
Civil War. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Miller one son was born 
on the loth of August, 1869, who bears the 
name of Thomas W. Miller, and has now an 
honored and respected position among his 
contemporaries. This young man received 
his early education in the same district in 
which his father went to school, though. 



unlike his father, he did not finish his studies 
here, but continued them in the academy at 
Delhi, where he was graduated in June, 1893. 
Having taught one term of school, he is now 
the editor of the Andes Recorder, and is a 
fearless advocate and defender of the princi- 
ples he espouses. 

Mr. Berry S. Miller is a Republican and a 
member of the United Presbyterian church. 
He attributes the success of his married life to 
his wife's industry and frugality, together with 
her careful oversight of everything he had ; 
and her death, on July 22, 1892, he is sensible 
has left a void that can never be filled. 



MH.O GRAHAM, an enterprising 
merchant of the village of Meredith, 
was born at this place, August 4, 
1852, and is the son of John G. and 
Alma (Bouton) Graham. The paternal grand- 
father, James, was a native of Scotland, and 
came to this county about 1809, among the 
early settlers of the town. He farmed his 
land here for a number of years, afterward 
moving to Meredith Hollow, where he lived 
until the time of his death, aged seventy-eight. 
His wife was Jane Rice, a native of Ireland, 
and the mother of eleven children; namely, 
John G., Henry R., James H., William H., 
Samuel T., Thoma.s, Nancy H., Jane G., 
Martha M., Charles, and I.sabella A. Mrs. 
Graham died at Meredith Hollow, aged 
seventy-seven. 

John G. Graham, eldest son of James, was 
educated in his boyhood at the district 
schools, and thereafter continued for some 
time to reside with his father, of whom he 
learned the cabinet-making trade. He also 
followed farming to some extent. Besides 
this he owned and operated for a number of 
years a woollen-mill, and after its destruc- 
tion by fire he continued to conduct his farm 
at Meredith Hollow. He was Supervisor for 
many years, and during the time of the war 
was enrolling officer, and was also Census 
Enumerator for the towns of Kortright, Delhi, 
and Meredith in 1870. He was a Justice of 
the Peace for twenty-one years, and a very 
active and influential man in the affairs of the 
village. He was married to Alma Bouton, a 




cJ. MiLC Graham 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIP:\V 



475 



daui;litor of William Boiiton, a cai'ijcntcr of 
Mcrctlith; ami Ihcy roared five children: 
namely, Mary, James, Minerva IC, William, 
and J. Milo. Minerva 1'". is the wife of Mar- 
shall Jackson, a farmer of Meredith. Marv 
marric'd I'-zra Gates, a farmer ; and she and 
her luisband both are ileceased. Mr. John (i. 
(jraham ilied at Meredith, in i<S75, aged 
sixty-six. 

J. Milo Graham was educated at the district 
schools, anil liegan teaching at the age of 
nineteen. Having taught school winters for 
seven terms, in 1879 he went into partnership 
with F. II. Mnnson, which business connec- 
tion lasteil one year, when he |nirchased Mr. 
Munson's interest in the tirm. Mi', tiraham 
has now one of the largest and most com- 
pletely stocked stores in Meredith, dning a 
lucrative business. He was appointed Post- 
master in 1879, and continues to hold that 
position. 

In 1885 Mr. Graham was married to Mrs. 
Jennie M. Munson, a daughter of Maxon Har- 
low, a farmer of this vicinity. Mrs. Jennie 
M. (jraham dying after seven years of happy 
wedlock, Mr. Graham married for his second 
wife Miss Cora J. .Scott, a daughter of Alex- 
ander .Scott, of Franklin. Mrs. Ciraham is a 
mendjer of the Alethodist church, Mr. (iraham 
occu|)ying the position of Treasure!' of the 
Baptist church. He is a member of Delhi 
Lodge of Free RLasons, No. 439, Royal Chap- 
ter, No. 249, and Norwich Commanderv, No. 
46, and has held several important ol'liees in 
these organizations. I"or eighteen years he 
has been Justice of the Peace, having been 
elected at the early age of twenty-two, and tor 
one term was Justice of the .St'ssions. He is 
a Republican, and one who has always taken 
an active i)art in ]iolitical affairs. 

Mr. Graham is an exceedingly capable busi- 
ness man, enjoying a high reputation as an 
intelligent and honoralde merchant. He takes 
a dee]) interest in the affairs of his native 
place, filling with honor and credit many posi- 
tions of trust and reponsibility. His portrait 
herewith annexed shows him to be just in the 
prime of manhood, and. as to his earthl)' pros- 
pects, a citizen who ma\' be counted on to 
contribute to the common weal for man}' a 
year to come. 



^iia'TF:\y\N r gI'.or(;I'; c. robin 

.SON, a practical ami jirogressive 
armer ami dairyman i;f Walton, 
has an honorai)le record for brave 
and gallant conduct as a soldier in tiie late 
Civil War, and good re|>ulation as a faithful 
citizen in lime ot peace. He was born in the 
town of rom|)kins, Mai'ch 24, 1S3S, and is ,1 
descendant of a pioneer of this comity, his 
grandfather, John RobinsiJii, who was of Con- 
necticut birth, having been one of the early 
settlers He w'as a wagon-maker by trade, 
and was one of the lirst, if not tlie \'ery first, 
to opi'u a wagon-shop in Walton. At the 
tinie he came here there were no saw-mills in 
the \'icinily; and he was obligeil not onl\- to 
fell the trees, but to hew out his own lunilier, 
carrying it from the woods on his back. He 
reared a large famiK' of children. 

His son, Hiram Robinson, was born in the 
town of Walton, and here grew to manhood. 
He settletl on a tract of wild land, from which 
he evolved a good homestead, sharing with 
his neighbors the trials and discomforts of 
life in a new countr\'. He married Lavinia 
Husted, ])>■ whom he had fifteen children, 
seven of whom are living to-day. John, the 
eldest son, enlisted in the Seventy second 
New \'ork X'olunteer Infantry, and was se- 
verely wounded in the shoulder at the battle 
of Spottsylvania Court House. (ieorgeC. is 
the subject of this sketch. ICmiK' J. is the 
wife of William llolley. of Walton. Will- 
iam H. enlisted in the One Hundred anil 
Fort)'-fourth New \'ork X'ohmteer Infantry, 
serving with honor, and is now a resident of 
Lanesljoro, Pa. P'rank is the wife of J. 
Boyer, of Broome Count}'. Charles is a resi- 
dent of Walton. .And Nanc}- M. is the wife of 
J. R. Kilpatrick, of Newburg, N.Y. At the 
age of fiftv-six }ears the father enlisted in the 
service of his countr}', becoming a member of 
the One llur.dred and P'orty-fourth New York 
Regiment, and serving with his comjiany tor 
a year, when he was discharged for physical 
disabilitv. In politics he was in his early 
years a ni<-m'.ier of the Whig party: but on 
the disbandment of that organization he 
joined the Re]>ublican forces, and thereafter 
supported the ])rincii)les of that ])arty. Both 
he and his wife departed this life in 1866. 



476 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



George C, second son of Hiram Robinson, 
was reared in the place of his nativity, obtain- 
ing a good common-school education. At the 
breaking out of the late Rebellion he was 
among the very first of Walton's chivalric 
youth to respond to his country's call, joining 
the Seventy-second New York Volunteer In- 
fantry. He enlisted in Sickles's Excelsior 
Brigade, May i, 1861, and was mustered into 
the United States service at Staten Island. 
The day following the first battle of Bull Run 
the regiment was ordered to the front, going to 
Washington, and remaining in Camp Cad well 
till spring, when it was ordered to Liverpool 
Point, Camp Wool. It was actively engaged 
in the siege of Yorktown and subsequently in 
the battle of Williamsburg, where the brigade 
to which it belonged lost seventeen hundred 
men, the commanders of the forces being 
General George B. McClellan on the Union 
side, and General Joseph E. Johnston on the 
Confederate side. The brigade then marched 
toward Richmond, reaching first the Chicka- 
hominy Swamp, remaining there until Mc- 
Clellan's retreat, taking part in the principal 
battles of those seven memorable days. 

Mr. Robinson was taken sick at the second 
battle of Malvern Hill, and was ordered to the 
hospital at Fortress Monroe, where he re- 
mained two months, rejoining his regiment at 
Warrenton Junction, going thence to Freder- 
icksburg, where he was again at the front in a 
hard-fought battle. The following winter his 
regiment was encamped at Falmouth, and in 
the earl\- part of May, 1863, fought bravely at 
Chancel lorsville, where Mr. Robinson was 
unfortunately taken prisoner. He was sent to 
Libby Prison, and after a short stay there was 
sent to Camp Parole, at Annapolis, thence to 
Camp Destruction, near Alexandria, where he 
was confined for five months. He rejoined 
his regiment again at Culpeper Court House, 
and afterward went into winter quarters at 
Brandy .Station. In the spring of 1864 he 
fought in all the battles of the e.xciting cam- 
]iaign leading to Richmond, and was at one of 
them wounded in the leg, but not sufficiently 
to cause him to leave his regiment. While 
in the front at Petersburg, the time of service 
of his regiment expired; and it was consoli- 
dated with the One Hundred and Twentieth 



New York Volunteer Infantry. On an order 
discharging all non-commissioned officers, 
Mr. Robinson was mustered out of service, in 
October, 1864, as Orderly Sergeant. 

While home on his veteran furlough, Mr. 
Robinson was married to Miss Sarah C. Eels, 
a daughter of Samuel t^els, the third ; and of 
this happy union five children have been 
born, namely: Palmer E., born in July, 1866; 
Bertie L., born in February, 1872; Seymour 
B., born in August, 1874; Samuel E., born 
in August, 1876: and Clara H., born in July, 
1879. 

In his political views Lieutenant Robinson 
is a decided Republican; and, socially, he is 
an influential member of the Ben Marvin Post, 
in which he has served as Vice-Commander. 
Much credit is due him for the deep interest 
he has ever taken in the militia company of 
Walton. He assisted in raising the company, 
of which he was one of the first members, and 
was appointed Second Lieutenant of the com- 
]>any, a position which he held for ten 
years, when he resigned it. He was also an 
important member of the Walton Rifle Team, 
in the organization of which he took an active 
part. As one of the leading citizens of the 
town of Walton, he is held in high respect, 
and is widely known as a man of sterling 
character and worth. 



r^ELSOX CRANI-:, a highly intelligent 
and wealthy farmer and dairyman liv- 

[S \^ ing in the town of Sanford, Broome 

County, is the only representative 
left of his father's family. He is one of the 
most favorably known men in the county, has 
served his town repeatedly on the Board of 
Supervisors, and in all public matters has 
been an effective worker for the best interests 
of the people. A man of excellent natural 
and acquired abilities, he is competent to fill 
leading positions in public life or in the 
world of business, and has had before him 
a broad field from which to make choice of a 
calling; and his decision to settle down on a 
farm was creditable to his judgment. 

In the opinion of many thoughtful people 
the rural home has the advantage of all other 
places for the broadest and deepest and most 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



477 



lasting (logrco of satisfaction and hapiiincss. 
The pure air, the open fielii, the running 
brook, are ever-fruitful sources of delight. 
The field of ripening grain spread like a sheet 
of gold upon the hillside, with the shadows of 
the clouds chasing each other over it as it 
bends and swells in soft undulations to the 
will of the wandering wind, is certainly a 
thing of beauty beyond the artificial splendor 
of gilded city palace or the constant tramp of 
busy thousands hurrying to and fro amid the 
marts of trade. As ^Ir. Emerson has well 
said. "Whatever events in progress shall go 
to disgust men with cities and infuse into 
them thic passion for country life and country 
pleasures will render a service to the whole 
face of this continent, and will further the 
most i^octic of all tlie occupations of real life, 
the bringing out by art tlie native but hidden 
graces of the landscajie." Mr. Crane does not 
make the life of a farmer one of mere drudg- 
ery, but uses brains as well as bands: for 
agriculture, as he rightly views it, is a sci- 
ence and an art, ami he brings to it that intel- 
ligence which it demands, having bis papers, 
his library, his workshop, all at his command, 
and making of them useful servants. 

.Mr. Nelson Crane traces his ancestry back 
to the early settlement of the Massachusetts 
Hav Colony, when the progenitors of the 
Crane familv in America came over from 
ICngland. Several of this name liave won dis- 
tinction in civil and in military life. Gen- 
eral William Crane, of the Revolutionary 
army, was wounded at Ouebec. His son. 
Captain William Montgomery Crane, was a 
noted naval officer in the war with Tripoli 
and the War of 1812. Charles Henry Crane, 
late Surgeon-general of the United States 
Army, was horn at Newport, R.I., in 1825, 
and died at Washington, D.C., in 1883. He 
was a son of Colonel Ichabod Crane, of New 
Jersey, and was a graduate of Yale College 
and the Harvard Medical School. 

Simeon Crane, a Revolutionary soldier, 
moved from Connecticut to Delaware County, 
New \'ork, in 179C, and brought with him his 
son -Simeon, who was at that time two years 
old, having been born in C'onnecticut in 1794. 
It was this younger Simeon who became the 
father of Nelson. He married Charlotte An- 



tiiony, a native ol Delaware County; and the 
family mc)Ved to the toWTi of .Sanford in 
Broome County in 1844, ami settled on the 
place where their son, .Nelson Crane, now 
lives. Simeon Crane, Jr., was a soldier in 
the War of 181 3, and su!5sec|uently an ICnsign 
of the Seventietli New \'ork Infantry, his 
commission bearing date of March 16, 1822, 
and signed by Governor De Witt Clinton. 
He was a man of industrious liabits, fixity of 
purpose, strong and active mental [jowers, and 
high moral principles. He was a successful 
farmer, and died in Hroonie County, .March 
20, 187c). The mother dietl .\ugust 2"]. 1884, 
at the age of eighty-two. They were the par- 
ents of four children, namely : I'>astus, whose 
ileath ijccurred at the age of twenty-four years, 
occasioned by being injured V>\ the falling 
of a tree; Nelson: I. aura A., who died at 
the age of sixty-four ye.irs; and ^Marietta, 
who was born in 1830. became the wife of 
Aaron Lathrop, a mechanic at Oxford, and 
died in 1889. 

Nelson Crane vv;is born near Delhi, in 
Delaware County, January 26, 1828; and his 
youth was si:)ent on his father's f;inn. When 
he was sixteen years old, tlie famij)' moved to 
their new home in Broome County, where he 
continucil with them. He was a remarkable 
boy for learning: and, while having but the 
advantages afforded by tiie common schools, 
he made rapid ])rogress in his studies, and 
took up the higher branches by himself. 
When nineteen years old, he had mastered 
algelira, geometry, trigonometry, and thus 
fitted himself to become a surveyor. He has 
done a good deal of work in this line since in 
Delaware and Broome Counties and in Penn- 
sylvania. His |)rincipal occup;ition, however, 
has been that of farming: and he has a nicely 
improved place, consisting of two hundred 
and twenty-seven acres, having ;i dairy, good 
farmhouse, commodious barns, and other out- 
buildings conveniently arranged and in good 
condition. His counsel and hel[) have been 
much sought, and he has filled many places of 
trust and honor in the town. He was town 
Superintendent of Schools in 1856, and in 
1862 was appointed by Judge Kattell. of 
Binghamton (then Provost Marshal, stationed 
at 6wego_), Enrolling Oflficer of the town of 



478 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Sanford, with rank of Assistant or Census 
Marshal. He served in that capacity until 
the close of the war. He taught school two 
terms in Broome County, and was entirely up 
with the times in educational matters. He 
was also elected Justice of the Peace, but re- 
signed the office. He filled the office of 
Assessor three terms, and was elected Super- 
visor four terms, three of them consecutively. 
He has served on the grand jury, and, in 
short, has been one of the principal men of 
the town. Six or seven years ago, when the 
New York Central Telephone Company pro- 
jected their line through from Oneonta to 
Deposit, he was one of the prime movers in 
the enterprise, and assisted materially by way 
of subscription. There is a station in his 
house, of which he has charge. He was one 
of the organizers of the Broome County 
Farmers' Fire Relief Association, incorpo- 
rated in 1887. He was a Director, and its 
first Secretary. 

In 1850 Mr. Nelson Crane married Harriet 
M. Van Home, of Delaware County, daughter 
of Hubbard Van Home, a prominent citizen 
of Sanford. She died in 1871, after twenty- 
one years of married life. Politically, Mr. 
Crane is a Rejiublican, and is able to give a 
good reason for upholding the measures of 
that party. Socially, he is a gentleman whom 
it is a pleasure to meet, thoroughly conversant 
with the best thought of the day, entertaining 
and instructive in conversation, and fully 
alive to the best interests of a common 
humanitv the world over. 



LINCOLN MOWBRAY, M.D., phy- 
sician and surgeon, Walton, Delaware 
County, N.Y., is eminently qualified 
for the duties of his profession; and 
during the short time he has been a resident 
of this county he has enjoyed a good practice, 
and has won in a large measure the confidence 
and esteem of the community. He was born 
in New York City, on December 20, 1866. 

He is of French descent on the paternal 
side. His grandfather, Thomas De Mowbra, 
who was born in !•" ranee, in early life went to 
England, thence to the north of Ireland, 
where he was married, and where the Doctor's 



father was born. When the latter was a boy 
of nine years, the family emigrated to Amer- 
ica, and located in New York City. There 
the lad was educated, and grew to man's es- 
tate, and subsequently embarked in the whole- 
sale grocery business, in Fulton Street, where 
by good business management he accumulated 
considerable money. He was afterward con- 
nected with the well-known firm of Thurber, 
Whyland & Co., in the wholesale grocery 
trade, and, having acquired a competency, is 
now retired from active pursuits, living in 
Bergen County, New Jersey. In his political 
views he was formerly a stanch supporter of 
the principles of the Republican party, but 
is now an active worker in the ranks of the 
Prohibitionists, and recently received the 
nomination for the Lower House. He was 
reared' to the faith of the Episcopal church, 
but later joined the Methodist Episcopal 
church, of which his wife is a consistent 
member. His wife, Mary B. Hyberger, was 
born in Pennsylvania of German antecedents. 
The ceremony that united their destinies was 
solemnized in Brooklyn, N.Y. 

J. Lincoln Mowbray was reared and edu- 
cated in the city of New York, and, after 
being graduated from the Brooklyn High 
School, took a private course of instruction 
under Professor Winter. Deciding to prepare 
himself for the practice of medicine, he en- 
tered the New York Homoeopathic College, 
in New York City, from which he was grad- 
uated in April, 1888, immediately beginning 
the work of his profession in the dispensary 
connected with the college. The following 
year Dr. Mowbray continued his chosen voca- 
tion as an assistant in the office of Dr. T. C. 
Williams, gaining, while serving in that ca- 
pacity, experience of inestimable value. He 
next opened an office in New Haven, Conn. ; 
and during the three years of his stay in that 
city he built up a fine practice, but was 
obliged to abandon it, his health not being 
good in that locality. Coming then to this 
county, he settled in the village of Walton, 
where he is meeting with gratifying success, 
and bids fair to become one of the leading 
practitioners in these parts. Dr. Mowbray 
was united in marriage, June 28, 1893, to 
Miss Louise M. Reif, of New Haven, who 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



479 



shares with licr luisbaiul the respect ami regard 
of the community. 



UllX W. MAVXARD, one of the pro- 
gressive farmers of Delaware County, 
and a descendant of one of the oldest 
families of Stamford, was horn here 
January 25, 1836, son of Samuel B. and Mary 
(Juclson) Maynard. His grandfather, Stephen 
Maynard, was the only child of Thomas, who 
came to America from I'.ngland. and settled in 
Dutchess County. 

'i'he death of Thomas Maynard left Stephen 
an orphan at an early age. He married and 
came to Delaware Count)' while this region 
was yet a complete wilderness. Here he set- 
tled on the farm now occu])ied hy the subject 
of this sketch. Taking u]i a large tract of 
land, he built a log cabin, clearctl a portion 
of the farm, and here lived until his ileath at 
sixty-three years of age. 1 le had six children, 
four of whom grew to matLU-it)- Thomas, 
Coley, Orin, and Samuel. Stephen Maynard 
was a Democrat, and a mend)er of the Meth- 
odist Eiiiscopal church. Samuel was boiii 
on November [2. I (S04, and was marrieil Sep- 
tember 26, 1826, to Mary Judson, who was 
born July 10, 1806. He bought out his 
brothers ami sisters, and look possession 
of the old homestead, where he built a new 
house and barns and made various ether im- 
provements, living to be nearly seventy-six 
years of age, his wife dying at about the same 
age. They had six children — Rebecca H., 
Charles m'., Mary L., John \V., Harriet H., 
Arunah A. 

John W. Maynard was educated in the 
schools of Stamford and in the academy at 
Ashland. When twenty- one years old, he 
bought his father's property of two hundred 
and seventeen acres, and engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits on this ancestral farm. Mr. 
Maynartl has improved the land, raised trame 
buildings, including a wagon-house, and has 
remodelled the barns. About twenty-three 
vears ago he set out one hundred majile-trees 
on his estate, and to-day has one of the finest 
groves in this section. In 1868 he went to 
California for his health, but, failing to im- 
prove, returned after a stay of three months, 



and gradually regained his healtii in his 
native town. 

On November 30, 1856, he married .Mai- 
garet Halt, who was born August 21, 1836, 
and was the daughter of Daniel Hait, of 
South Kortright, now called Almeda. He 
raised a famil\- of four children: Margaret, 
Lottie, and I'amelia, who are now dead; and 
Washington. Daniel Hait died of heart dis- 
ease. Mrs. |ohn W. Ma\nard tlied Septem- 
ber 14, 1868, and left three children: Frank 
A., born Sei)tember 11, 1864, who married 
Sarah Darling, antl lives at Stamford; Helen 
J., born April 6, 1866, who lives at home; 
and Merton, born July 7, 1868. Mr. May- 
nard married for his second wife ]\Iary IC. 
Hammond, daughter of Mlisha Hammond, a 
farmer at Manor Kill, who lived to be 
seventy-five years old, and raised a family of 
six children — Adelaide, \'ictorine, Sarah, 
Mary I".., lilisha, and Grace Hammond. 

During the summer season the estate of 
Mr. J. W. Maynard is a favorite resort for 
residents of the city. His farm is located on 
the turnpike, and has an elevation of some 
two thousand feet alxn-e sea level, the crest of 
the hill forming the water-parting for the 
head waters of the Delaware and Schoharie 
Rivers. Mr. Maynard is a Democrat, and a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
as were his father and grandfather before him. 
He is also a member of the St. Andrew's 
Lodge, No. 289, A. F. & A. M., at Hobart. 
He was Assessor for one term, and in all the 
duties that have devolved upon him he has 
shown ability and good judgment 

Merton H. Maynard, son of John W. May- 
nard and his first wife, ^hlrgaret, was born 
half a mile east of the village of Stamford, 
and was educated in the seminary of this 
place. When twenty-one years of age, he 
entered active business life, buying out D. V. 
Chichester's furniture and undertaking busi- 
ness. In 189I he built a large and handsome 
store, part of which he used for his own busi- 
ness, while the rest brings him in a good 
income by being let to tenants. When 
twenty-one years of age, Merton Maynard 
married Marv A. Gillespie, daughter of Alex- 
ander and I'olly !■:. (Brockway) Gillespie. 
I Her father was a farmer of Stamford, and died 



480 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



when fifty-nine years (Ad; but her mother is 
still living. 

Merton Maynard follows the traditions of 
the family in belonging to the Democratic 
party in politics, and being a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church He is also a 
member of Green Lodge, No. 497, A. F. 
& A. M., of Hobart. By his energy and in- 
dustry he has built up one of the most exten- 
sive trades in his town, and not only has his 
ability been used in mercantile pursuits, but 
he, as well as his father and grandfather, has 
been of valuable assistance in the manage- 
ment of town affairs. 




"ENRY GROAT, a prominent mer- 
chant of Delhi, was born at Pratts- 
villc, Greene County, N.Y., Feb- 
ruary 15, 1869, a son of John and 
Catherine (Gilbert) Groat. His grandfather, 
John A. Groat, was a native of Dutchess 
County, and a prominent farmer. He after- 
ward moved to Greene County, and purchased 
a farm there. His son John remained on the 
farm, assisting his father until 1861, when 
he enlisted in the Fifteenth New York Heavy 
Artillery, and served with distinction until the 
war was nearly over, being discharged on ac- 
count of disability from wounds received in 
action. He resided for a time in Greene 
County, but afterward moved to Gilboa, of 
which place he is still a resident. He mar- 
ried Miss Catherine Gilbert, daughter of 
William M. Gilbert, a prominent foundryman 
of Greene County; and two children were 
born to them — Henry and Charles. 

Henry Groat spent his early years in Gil- 
boa, and received his education at the district 
schools of that village. For several winters 
he taught school, afterward coming to Delhi, 
where he entered the employ of Mr. J. K. 
Hood, remaining with him as clerk for three 
years. He then formed a partnership with 
Mr. John D. Ferguson, opening a large gen- 
eral store on Main Street, where he conducted 
a successful and increasing business until 
July I, 1894, when he severed his connection 
with Mr. Ferguson, and erected a fine busi- 
ness block on Meredith Street, Delhi, N.Y., 
and opened a large grocery store soon after, 



with a complete new stock throughout of 
staple and fancy groceries and provisions, and 
now caters to the best trade of Delhi and 
vicinity. 

Mr. Groat was united in marriage Novem- 
ber 25, iSgi, with Miss Alice L. Mann, 
daughter of O. C. Mann, formerly a jeweller 
in this town, but now employed in the custom- 
house in New York. Two children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Groat; namely, Kath- 
arine M. and Florence M. Mr. Groat is a 
prominent member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, of Lodge, No. 439, A. )■". 
& A. M., and Delhi Chapter, No. 249. He is 
a Republican in politics, and in his religious 
views is an adherent of the Presbyterian 
faith, Mrs. Groat being a member of the Sec- 
ond Presbyterian Church. Mr. (}roat is one 
of the youngest and most successful business 
men in Delhi, enjoying the highest reputation 
for honesty and integrity. He is possessed of 
much tact and judgment — a combination 
necessary to a successful merchant. He has 
also gained in a high degree the confidence 
and esteem of his associates. 




ITAS B. HOVVLAND, a well-known 
farmer residing near the village of 
Walton, which is his native place, 
was born on September 28, 1854. He is a 
son of Edwin R. Howland, whose father was 
Elias B. Howland, one of the early pioneers 
of Hamden. He was a famous hunter and 
expert fisherman. He purchased and culti- 
vated a tract of land, and resided there for a 
few years, and then went West .for a short 
time, afterward coming to the town of Wal- 
ton, where he purchased a farm, on which he 
made his home until his death, in 1893, aged 
eighty-nine years. P^dwin R. Howland, who 
was born in Hamden, came to Walton when 
he was twenty-two years old, and purchased a 
farm on East Brook. He was married to 
Miss Margaret McDonald, a daughter of 
Archibald and Jeannette (Smith) McDonald; 
and they had a family of six children, five of 
whom are living and residents of this town; 
namely, Elias B., Jeannette, Pollock T., 
p:dgar R., and Owen L. Howland. 

Elias B. Howland was educated at the dis- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



481 



trict scliools, ami spent his early years on the 
farm which is now owned hy liis brothers. 
At the ag<' of twenty-two he started out for 
himself, renting a farm for one year, and then 
purchased liis present place. He devotes 
most of his time to his large dairy, kec])ing 
thirty-four Jersey cows, and making a line 
grade of butter, the output amounting to some 
ten thousand pounds per year, which he sends 
to New York and Newburg markets, lie was 
married, in 1876, to Miss Rachel Rutherford, 
a daughter of Robert Rutherford, a prominent 
farmer of Bovina. tiiis countv. Mr. and Mrs. 
Howland have two chihlren - Reuben and 
Maggie. 

Mr. Howland has one of the finest farms in 
the county. He is a man of progressive 
ideas, never hesitating to utilize an\- modern 
improvement which may be of benefit to him 
in his work. In politics Mr. Howland is a 
Republican. He has never sought any public 
office, devoting his time entirely to his call- 
ing. He is an honest anil true friend, and 
ever ready to help those wIkj have been less 
fortunate than himself. 




'^1^ NURblW JACK.SOX FRAXCI.SCO 

is a prosperous farmer of Kast Branch, 
Delawai'e County, where he is also 
pro|jrietor and manager ol a popu- 
lar resort for summer boarders. lie was 
i)orn in the town of Colchester in this count)', 
October 31, i 846. 

His father. Richard I-'rancisco, wlio was for 
some years Justice of Peace in Colchester, 
was born in .Milford, Otsego Count)'. He 
was there educated, and worketl on the home 
farm till about 1835, when he ]Huchased a 
large tract of land on the Bea\er Kill in Col- 
chester, ami engaged in farming and lumber- 
ing, rafting his own lumber down the river to 
Philadeli)hia. When a young man, he had 
studied law; and, as his knowledge ol legal 
matters was (|uite extensive, his services were 
in great tiemand among the ijcojile of his sec- 
tion when any contro\-ersy arose which required 
settlement in the courts. He married I'oUy 
Westcott, daughter of Benjamin Westcott, a 
successful farmer in the town of Milford, and 
a representative of one of the oldest families 



in the count)'. Mr. and Mrs. I'"ranciscii had 
twelve children, name!) ; iCrastus, ;i farmer in 
Hancock; .Audeli.i, who mai'ried Caleb .S. 
Miller, of Hancock; ( )rlan(ln, who, a car- 
penter b)' trade, lives in Ri|)()n, Wis. ; Benja- 
min, a farmer in Walton, who died in i S92 ; 
I'rancis, a farmer in CoKhestei, who died in 
1859; .\le.\under H., a f;uiner in Liberty; 
Lavina, who married John ,Mar\en. a farmer 
in East Davenport, Otsego Count)'; .Marette, 
who died in 1885, and whose husband was 
Dr. .Sibers, a dentist of Cooperstown ; .Andrew 
J., the subject of this sketch; Ann, who mar- 
ried George Re)nolds, of Walton, a merchant 
in Oneonta, where he died; Melissa, who 
married lulget Lewis, of Hancock; and D. C. 
Francisco, who is a farmer in Liberty, and 
also keeps a summer hotel there. .Mr. Rich- 
ard P'rancisco li\ed to be o\'er seventy years of 
age, his wife surviving hint about five years. 
They were both esteemed members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church ; and Mr. P'ran- 
cisco, who was a strong Democrat, was an 
active citizen, taking part in all the town 
affairs. He was universally resj^ecteil, and 
his death was a great loss to the comnumity 
in which he lived. 

-Andrew Jackson P'rancisco was educated in 
his native town, where for some years he 
worked the home farm, antl followed the riv'er 
as a lumbei'nian. When lie started upon his 
own career', he bought a farm in Walton, 
which he sold in 1866, coming to liast Branch, 
where he purchased the only hotel, and in 
partnership with his brother. D. C. P'rancisco, 
was ver\' successful. .After a time he bought 
out his brother's share, and, changing the 
hotel into a summer boarding-house, has now a 
very select class of [jatrons during the season. 
He is also engaged in farming tt) some extent. 
He has been twice married, his first wife being 
.S\lvia Pomkins. who was born near Cannons- 
ville. Bv her he had one child, Lida, who 
married Charles Miller, of luist Branch. .Mr. 
P'ranci.sco was again married, June 24. 1874, 
to Blanche 'I'homas, daughter of Moses and Or- 
cilla (Colei Phomas, of Buckingham. Wayne 
Countv. I'a. By the second union is one 
child, Cora A. P'rancisco, who was born t)cto 



ber 5, 1876, and has been educated in the 
district schools and Hancock Academv. 



482 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Mr. and Mrs. jMancisco are active member.s 
of the Baptist church, and of the Good Tem- 
plars Lodge at luist Branch. Mr. Francisco 
cast his fir.st vote with the Democratic party, 
l)ut has since joined the ranks of the Prohibi- 
tioni.st.s. He is much respected by all who 
know him, particularly by his city boarders, 
for whose comfort and enjoyment he .so well 
provides. As is well known, the churl is not 
bountiful, but ever the •' liberal deviseth 
lil)eral thinsjs. " 



-AMES HENRY BROWN, a succes.sful 
mason in Walton, is a loyal citizen who 
did brave service for his country during 
the late Civil War. He is a native of 
Oneonta, Ot.sego County, where he was born 
December 16, 1845. He was left an orphan 
at a very early age, and the first six years of 
his life were spent with his grandfather Sher- 
man, and the next four at the home of A. 
Cheney, in Cooperstown. The four succeed- 
ing years he lived with Harvey Williams, and 
for two years thereafter worked at an)thing 
he could find to do. 

At the age of si.xteen he enlisted in the 
Union army, joining Company L, Second 
New York Cavalry, September 16, 1861. He 
was mustered into service in the city of Wash- 
ington, and during the first winter was en- 
camped near Arlington Heights. Early in 
the spring of 1862, his company was attached 
to General Kilpatrick's corps, and followed 
the Armv of the Potomac in its various expedi- 
tions. Mr. Brown was an active participant 
in many battles, among them being the en- 
gagements at Brandy Station, l-redericksburg. 
Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, and he 
served throughout the Pennsylvania campaign. 
He was at the front in the raids conducted by 
Colonels Mcintosh and Sheridan, and was 
taken prisoner at Hanover Court-house, June 
2, 1864. He was at first confined at Rich- 
mond, going thence to the Andersonville 
Prison, where he remained seven months. 
From Andersonville he was forwarded to Sa- 
vannah, thence to Millen, again back to 
Savannah and down the coast. Kilpatrick 
was then but twenty miles away, and the ob- 
ject of their many removals was to keep the 



prisoners out of the reach of Sherman's army, 
which was making daily progress in its march 
to the sea. With the others, Mr. Brown was 
ne.xt sent to Thomasville, and then, after a 
march of thirty-five miles to Albany, Ga. , was 
l)ut on board the cars and returned to Anderson- 
ville. He was subsequently forwarded by train 
to Vicksburg, and in April, 1865, got inside 
the Union lines. He went first to St. Loui.s, 
thence to Camp Annapolis, and from there to 
New York City, and on the sixteenth day of 
May, 1865, received his honorable discharge. 

After his return to civil life Mr. Brown 
settled in Cooperstown, and there learned the 
mason's trade of George B. Wood. In 1879 
he removed to the village of Walton, where he 
has since found constant employment, his abil- 
ity and faithfulness as a workman being recog- 
nized and appreciated by his patrons. He is a 
man of sound sense and strict integrity, a fine 
representative of the self-made men of our 
country. 

Mr. Brown has been twice married. By 
his first wife, Ellen Shelman, of Cooperstown, 
to whom he was united on January i, 1866, he 
had three children. Charles D., born Novem- 
ber 9, 1866, is a resident of Waterbury, S. 
Dak. Stella A., born July 26, 1869, married 
Seymour Bush, of Walton ; and they have one 
child, Everett J. Bush. Cora M., born Sep- 
tember 18, 1 87 1, is the wife of W. T. Mann, 
of Gouverneur, St. Lawrence County ; and they 
have a daughter, Helena V.. Mann. The 
mother died in Cooperstown in 1877; and Mr. 
Brown was married on January 17, 1878, to 
l-'mrette Johnson, one of the three daughters 
born to Daniel and Sally A. (Smith) Johnson, 
natives of Otsego County, the other children 
having been Louisa, who died in infancy, and 
Amelia, who died at the age of eight years. 
Mr. Johnson went to war and never returned, 
and his widow married John F. Bristol ; and 
they reared one child, Minnie. 

In his political views Mr. Brown is an 
ardent supporter of the principles of the Re- 
publican party, and is a charter member of the 
Ben Marvin Post, No. 209, (Irand Army of the 
Republic, having been a Commander and a 
delegate to the State encampment. Relig- 
iously, both he and his wife are esteemed 
members of the Methodist church. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIFAV 



4R3 



'OIIX KINMONIII l-OkMAX is the 
keeper ol the countN house al l)ellii, 
1 )ehi\varc Counl\', X. \'. II is ,i;ran(l- 
fatlier, John {•"ornian, came lioni Xew- 
biii\!; to Dehiwar'e Count), and was amon.jj; llie 
earliest settlers in Kortri_i;ht. Takin.i;' up a 
tract of land, he built upon it a lot; eahin; 
and beneath its rude shelter he and his younj;' 
wife bra vel\' began their married lite. Little 
ones st)on came to hrij;hten the pioneer's home, 
and make loneliness ini|)ossibk'. I'hey 
brought up a family of se\en children, one ol 
whom, named Ro.\e\, is still liviuL;, over 
ninety \ears of age. l-"or many years (irand- 
father John l-'orman remained in possession ot 
this farm, but finally sold it to one of his sons, 
lacob. While on a \isit at Sidney, the old 
man was stricken down witli an illness wliicli 
jiroved fatal. Llis wile died at the old home- 
stead, after having reached the age ot tour- 
score. 

Their son Jacob, the father of tiie subject 
of this sketch, was born in Kortright. and 
spent his boyhood and vontli njioii his lather's 
farm. lie was brought up to lead the uselul 
and independent life of one who tills the soil, 
meanwhile axailing himself ot the advantages 
afforded at the district school. lie remained 
with his father until twenty-one, ami later in 
life returned to the old homesteati as its owner, 
llis wife, Louisa LI ill, was also a native ot 
Kortright ; and her fathei' had been one ol the 
worthy i)ioneer farmers of the town. .She was 
one of a family of the children : .\thelson, 
Louisa, Myron, .Vdeliza, and I-'reelove. Jacob 
I-"orman and his wife reared the following chil- 
dren ; Adeline, who married Maitin Harkcr, 
the agent in charge of the (irecian |)roperty at 
Meredith; Charles, a farmer of the town of 
Delhi: lohn K., above named; and Myron, a 
merchant. After living at the old homestead 
for a number of years, Jacob I'orman removed 
to a neighboring farm, where he remained up 
to the time of his death, al forty-five years of 
age. Ills wife died at Kortright. :H the age 
of si\ty-eight. Hoth were members ol the 
Methotiist church, and for many years Jacob 
was one of its trustees. 

|ohn K. l-'orman hrst saw the light in Kort- 
right, Xovember 22, 1S51. Like his father 
and grandfather before him, he was bred to 



agricultinal piusuits, and also went to the dis- 
trict school. When but fourteen, he had the 
misfortune to lose his father; and lor the next 
four years he remained with his brothers, carr\- 
ing on the farm. It may well be believetl that 
in spite of his extreme \()Ulh he took his share 
of the labor and responsibi 1 itv manfully ; and 
that the efforts of these voung husbandmen 
were crowned by success is to be interred I rom 
the fact that at the age of twenty-one John 
went to farming for himself, liaving bought 
land in Kortright. .After several years he sold 
his farm, and bought a mill in Hobart, where 
he s])ent one season. Then he returned to his 
native t(nyn, where he again engaged in larm- 
ing, the woik which seems to have been his 
special vocation ; for, as luiierson has truly 
said, "The fitness is the calling." 

Ma\ 16, 1.S72, Mr. I'orman married Delia 
Maxon. Her grandfather, also, was one of 
the ijioneer settlers of Kortright, and had the 
honor of serving as a gallant Caj^ain in the 
War of I1S12. Hoth of the grandixarents passed 
their last years in KortiMght, but the death of 
the wife took place in Meredith. Mrs. l'"or- 
nian's |)arents were Reynolds and Lydia (Butts) 
Maxon, both of whom were born in Kortright. 
Hut the father established himself as a wagon- 
maker in Hloomville: and it was there that 
Delia, afterward Mrs. l-'orman, was born. 
Her rnother was one of five children: Hush- 
nid, ()liver, Hetsv .\nn. I.vdia, and Delilah: 
ami .Mrs. Maxon bionght uy) three of her five 
children, n:miely : Marshall M. ; and his 
sisters, Delilah and Delia, who were twins, the 
latter being Mrs. I-"ornian. Delilah married 
lames H. Cavan, a f;u-mer of Kortright, and is 
now a widow, making her home in Delhi. 
Marshall M. .M;i\on is still a resident of 
Hloomville, having there a plea.sant home. .\t 
the age of eighteen he enlisted in the L'nion 
army, and had servetl as Sergeant three vears 
lacking one month, when the war closed. He 
rnarried Lucia Keeler. and they have three 
children. The mother died at the home of 
.Mr. and Mrs. I-"orman, at the age of seventy- 

i one vears. Death came to the father at the 
age of seventy-seven, while at the house of his 
son in Hloomville. Hoth jiarents were devoted 
to the interests of the Methodist church, of 

, which they were worthy rncrnbers. 



484 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



On April i, 1891, Mr. Forman took charge 
of the county almshouse at Delhi, and con- 
tinues to fill the position with marked ability. 
In his wife Mr. Forman has an invaluable 
assistant. While he is occupied with matters 
pertaining to the farm, she superintends the 
household, and with kindly care promotes the 
well-being of the inmates within its sheltering 
walls. The house is charmingly situated on 
the Delaware River, in one of the most beauti- 
ful portions of the county, and will accom- 
modate sevent)'-five people. The farm consists 
of two hundred and ten acres of fertile land, 
under excellent cultivation and stocked with 
sixty head of cattle. Mr. Forman gives much 
attention to his herd of forty beautiful Hol- 
steins, which bear witness to the success that 
has attended his efforts in this department. 
Under his management many improvements 
have been made and reforms instituted, both 
indoors and out. From the top of the house to 
the bottom an exquisite neatness prevails, and 
one is impressed with the perfect system every- 
where found. Mr. Forman finds a judicious 
adviser in the county superintendent, Mr. 
Wright. At the last county fair both the 
horses and cattle from the county farm received 
first prizes, as did the vegetables and fruits ex- 
hibited. The fact that the entire work of the 
institution is ])erformed wholly by the inmates, 
thus saving the county great expense, proves 
the wisdom of Mr. Forman' s administration as 
well as his practical ability. The State in- 
spector, in his last report, pronounced the 
establishment a model for the entire State. 

Mr. and Mrs. Forman are regarded with 
the highest respect throughout the community, 
their kindly and sunny natures endearing them 
to all with whom they come in contact; and 
their hospitality, a virtue which is called in 
the Talmud "an expression of divine worship, " 
is proverbial for its graceful cordiality. Mrs. 
Forman was formally a member of the Meth- 
odist church at Hloomville; but, on becoming 
a resident of Delhi, she connected herself with 
the Second Presbyterian Society here, where 
her husband is also a worshipper. He is a 
member of the Delhi Lodge of Free Masons, 
No. 439. As would be expected from his 
career and position, he is warmly interested in 
the county agricultural society, of which he 



is Vice-President ; and he is a Republican in 
politics. 




L'GL'STUS S. FITCH, who has been 
eminently successful in mercantile 
|iursuits, is a member of the enter- 
l)rising firm of Fitch Bros. & 
Seeley, of Walton, N. Y., dealers in general 
merchandise. Mr. Fitch is descended from a 
long line of ancestors, a full account of whom 
is given elsewhere in the biography of George 
W. Fitch. 

Augustus S. h'itch was born in the village 
of Walton, May 15, 1841. In due time he be- 
came a regular attendant of the town schools, 
where he was carefully instructed imtil his 
twentieth year, when he accepted the position 
of clerk in the store owned by his father and 
brother, the firm name being X. Fitch & Son. 
After ten years of faithful service in this ca- 
pacity he was made a jjartner, the firm becom- 
ing N. Fitch & Sons. In 1872 the aged father 
died ; and once more the firm name was 
changed, being then known as N. Fitch's 
Sons. For some years the two brothers were 
the only members of the company; but in 
1879 they received Mr. George C. Seeley as a 
partner, and the name then adopted has been 
retained ever since. 

Mr. Fitch was married September 13, 1866. 
to Eliza A. Honeywell, of Walton, a daughter 
of Alfred and Margaret (Russell) Honeywell. 
After nine years of happy wedded life Mrs. 
Fitch died, July 25, 1875, when but twenty- 
nine years of age, having given birth to four 
children: Frankie, who died in 1873, a babe 
of four months; William H., who.se death oc- 
curred January i, 1880, he being then a lad of 
eleven summers; Mary A. Fitch, who was 
graduated from the Walton High School in 
1894; and Eliza, who died when an infant. 

Mr. Fitch's second marriage occurred on 
September 30, 1880, he being then united in 
the bonds of matrimony with Miss Isabel le 
Bryce. She was the daughter of James and 
Elizabeth (McQueen) Bryce, the former of 
who died in Del.ancey, N. Y., in 1865, in 
his sixty-eighth year; while the latter passed 
away in 1870, having reached the age of 
seventy-three years. Mrs. p-itch was a gradu- 



BIOORAPHICAT, REVIEW 



•jR? 



ate ot the Alban\- StaU- Niiniial Schoul, aiul 
for three years taui;"ht in the W'altun schunls. 
She and her twin sister, I'".lizai)eth, widnw nf 
lames Tayldr. of Del.ancev, and molliei- i>t 
lames l^rvce Taylor, a school-hox' of til'ieen, 
are the onlv sur\i\<)rs of a laii^e tamih. 
Their brother, William Hrvce, who for some 
years taught school in Di'lhi, and was at one 
time principal of a school in Sauj;erties, was a 
surj;eon in the Civil Wai', in the l'"oil\-fouith 
New \'ork Infantrx', and served for three years, 
after which he practised in llamdcn, where he 
died in i <S68. lie was a i;raduate of ('<dnnd>ia 
College of Medicine in New \ uik City. 

Mr. I-'itch is a Republican, a ligid adhcicni 
to that partv's princi]des, although he has 
never held office or been an aspirant lor ollice. 
In li^^J hi' joineil the ( 'oiigrcgal ional i lun\h, 
of which body he has evei- since been an active 
and valued member, having been a tiustee 
since iSSj. He has occupied hi> procnt 
delightful home since the fall of \S~~: and 
here he is ever glad to receive his lunncrous 
friends, whom he entertains with genial coi'di- 
al.itv. Walking in the ways of integrity, 
honor, and industry, making untiring ctforts 
to meet the wants of his many ]KUrons, Mr. 
l-'itch has won enviable success in business 
lit'e, and an influential position among his 
associates and friends. 



W. ,S|li;i'l-'II-:i.l), M. n.. is one of the 
ablest and most favorably known jjhysi- 
cians of .Sidney, Delaware C'ountv, 
\.\'. Me was born in St. Johnsville, 
Montgomery County, on .Se])tember ", n^S/. a 
son of Cicorge, and a grandson ot lames 
.Shefrield. 'The grandfather was boiii in Con 
nocticiit. May 2, i/S.S, of l-jiglish and Cerman 
|)arentage, and was still a boy when his lather 
and all the family moved to Decrtield, \.\.. 
near Ctica. Later they went to the town o| 
Clav, Onondaga County, where the father ol 
lames died about iSio. James remained at 
beerfield, married Miss Anna James, March 
2 1, iSi^, and moved to Manheim, Herkimer 
County, and later to Dolgeville (then known 
as Wi'nton's, later as Hrockett's bridge, but 
now as Dolgeville), T'ldton County, where his 
son, Cieorge Sheffield, was born June lo, i.SiX. 



lie marrieil on M.irch ,^(.i. i'"--)-;, * o i<' 1^- 

Iligbie, daugluer of Jacoi) liigbie, of St. 
lohnsville. In this town .\Ir. and .Mrs. ( ieorge 
.Sheffield made their home, and re.ued their 
large family of ten childien, seven of whom 
are still living. Charles Wesley, their first 
son, died July 14, 1S49, aged five years. 
William James, their second son, died T>ecem- 
ber 17, 1.^75. aged twenty-nine years, leavitig 
a wife and two children, a son and a daughter. 
Marv I'Ji/.abeth, wife of Harvey \'t>\, of St. 
lohnsville, is the mother of one son. .Sarah 
Jane Sheffield died July 10, 1.S77, ageil 
tvventv-si\ years, uimiarried. Car'dine Adelia, 
wife of Henry T'ical, is the mother of a son 
and a daughti'r. t ieorge Washington Sheffield 
lives near Dolgeville, is married, and has a 
son and two daughtei's. Jnhn Wesley i- the 
subject of this sketch. .Albert D. , who has 
been principal of the .Nelliston jiublic .school 
for a number of years, is married, and has one 
daughter. James ICrwin .Sheffield, who lives 
in Montgomery Comity, is recently married, 
llattie is wife of Clark Leek, an engineer of 
lohnst'iwn, l-'ulton County, who has one son. 
(ieorge Sheffield, the father of this family, 
ilied at Lassellsville, T'ulton County, May 26, 
icS83, aged si.xtv-si.x years. His widow is 
still living at the .same place, now aged 
seventy-one years. 

fohn Weslev ShelTield was reared on his 
father's farm, .itteiiding the district school, 
the high school .at St. Johnsville, I'airfield 
.Academy, and T'.astman's Business College, ol 
Toughkeepsie. He followed the ])rofession 
of teaching for eight years, and in 1 S.S ^ 
began the study of medicine with Dr. Daniel 
Small, of .St. Johnsville, as jireceptor. He 
entered the .\lbany Medical College in the 
autumn of that year, was graduated on March 
:;, 1S.S6, and soon after began to practise at 
Trout Creek, Delaware Comity. Here he 
remained l'<ir five years, with the exception 
of a few months siient at Wamiisville. M.adison 
County. In the sjiring of 1H91 he removed to 
Sidney, where he is regarded as a most skilful 
memlier of his ])rofession. 

October I (), 1 8S7, Dr. J. W. Sheffield was 

married to Mi-.s Zana M. Clarke, a daughter 

of the late Luman T. Clarke, of Addison, \'t., 

i her mother being a great-graml-daughter of 



486 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Lord Dudley, of Wales. She had been a 
successful teacher, and is also a graduate of 
the Mary Metcher Hos])ital Training School 
for Nurses, in Burlington, Vt. Ur. and Mrs. 
Sheffield are the parents of two children: 
Bernard Clarke, born September 5, 1889; 
and Wesley Thare, born I-'ebruary 18, i8gi. 
The Doctor is a Master Mason and a Knight 
of Pythias, but takes no active part in politics. 
He and his wife are both members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, giving to that 
organization their hearty supjjort. Dr. Shef- 
field is a rising young physician of remarkable 
adaptability for his calling, his kindly, pre- 
possessing manner, combined with his cheer- 
ful, sympathetic disposition, making him a 
welcome visitor in hours of health as well as 
illness; and the success he has attained in the 
short period of his residence in the town of 
Sidney gives unquestionable assurance of a 
bright and prosperous future. 




|l-:\'. ISAAC HIAX'ITT was a Baptist 
clergN'man, and an influential resi- 
dent I 5 Halcottsville, in Middle- 
'town, Delaware County, N. Y. , where 
he died on January 7, 1892, full of years and 
worth, respected b\ a large number of asso- 
ciates, both in religious and social circles. 
In this town also was he born, on August 25, 
1 8 10. His father, Russell Hewitt, was born 
near Albany, married Ziporah Wheeler, was 
a Democrat, came to Halcottsville in his later 
years, and lived to be eighty-four. He reared 
eight of the nine children born to him, whose 
names were Merritt, Orin, Isaac, Wheeler, 
Norman, William, George, luncline. 

Isaac, the third son, was a self-made man, 
having been born with a disposition to get all 
the education possible, and so be of .some use 
in a public way to his country. The neigh- 
borhood did not afford the desired facilities 
for culture; yet he managed by hard work to 
fit himself for the pulpit at the early age of 
twentv, at which time also he married, the 
lady of his choice being Julia Maria Weld, 
who was born on the last day of the year 1806, 
and therefore was her husband's senior by 
nearly four years. She was the daughter of 
David Weld, born February 15, 1773, and his 



wife, Hannah Foster Weld, born January 16, 

'787- . . , 

David Weld's birthplace was in Massachu- 
setts. In early life he was bound out to a 
farmer, who treated him so harshly that David 
ran away to Connecticut, where he found a 
home with a shoemaker named Karl, whose 
trade he learned. There also he subsequently 
married, and then came to Hubljell Hill in 
Delaware Count}', where he took uj) a tract of 
land, and built a log house amid the acres he 
was gradually reclaiming from the wilderness. 
There were neither shoe factories nor .shoe 
stores in those pioneer days; and David Weld 
found plenty of employment among the farmers 
of the district, his services being in requisi- 
tion far and near. By his union with Miss 
Foster fourteen children were added to the 
population of the town ; the eldest, Julia 
Maria Weld, bef(jre mentioned, the wife of the 
subject of this sketch ; Harvey Weld, born 
February 12, 1808; Matilda Weld, January 26, 
i8iO; Huldah Weld, November 11, 181 2; 
David Foster Weld, Januar)- 4, 1S14; Clar- 
ence A. Weld, November 19, 1815; William 
W. Weld, July 29, 181 7; Eli T. Weld, May 
7, 1 819; Delilah Weld, December 19, 1 820 ; 
Jarvis J. Weld, the first clay of October, 1822 ; 
Jeannette Weld, the second day of June, 1824; 
Augustus Weld, June 21, 1827; I-'anu)- Weld, 
December 5, 1S29; Isaac W. Weld, July 28, 
1832. At the end of a dozen years, about the 
year 181 7, Mr. Weld bought two hundred 
more acres adjoining the farm he already 
owned; for there were boys and girls enough 
growing up to attend to every department of 
farm work, both outside and inside. On this 
homestead he died January iS, 1853, at four- 
score ; but his wife lived twelve years longer, 
dying on June 19, 1865, ju.st at the close of the 
Civil War, aged seventy-eight. They were 
members of the Baptist church, and Mr. Weld 
was a Democrat. 

The marriage of Isaac Hewitt and Julia 
Maria ^\'eld took place November 5, 1830. 
He at once bought one hundred and fift\' acres 
of land al Bragg Hollow, and also began 
preaching in various places within the limits 
of what was known as the Lexington Associa- 
tion. Al different times he was the stated 
sujiph' in a dozen different churches, and with 





Isaac Hewitt 



HIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



4R0 



lour of thcni lie was continu()iisl\- connccti'd 
fur main' \cars. The Sccoiid C'lnircli of Kox- 
hur\', N.\'., located in I laK'otis\i 1 le, was built 
at the expense of tlu' Re\'. Mr. llewiil; and 
the first sermon in it was |)ieailied In him, his 
text heing Obadiah i. 17. 11 is last discouise 
was fittingh' delivered in the same eliureh, 
from the text, John iii. 14. In the course ot 
his ministr\- Mr. Hewitt hajjti/ed o\'er foui' 
hundred persons, married about loiu" hundn-d 
couples, and preached about the same number 
of fmieral sermons. I, ike a venlahle Ha|)list 
ajiostle, he went from State to .State, e\eii as 
far west as Illinois; nor did he i;i\e up the 
good work till his death, at the same advanced 
age as his father, eighty-foiu'. 

Not loni; before the centennial vear he 
renioxed from l^ragg Hollow to Halcottsvil le, 
buN'ing the farm of two huiuhed acres, where 
he spent his last da\s, and where his widow 
still lives, lacking onlv two vears ol ninctv, 
but enjoying excellent health, as indicated by 
the fact that as late as 1894 she was able to 
tlri\-e to Aliddlebnrg, a distance of thirtv miles, 
to attend the yearly meeting of the Haptisi 
Association, greatly enjoying the ser\ ices, and 
not overtasked by the journey. Like her hus- 
band, she is large-hearted, always icady to 
help the ]>ooi-, and interested in whatevcr 
tends to promote the publit' weltare. Ihe 
religion of ,Mi-. and Mrs. Hewitt biund expii's- 
sion in theii' good, hearty music. With lull 
heart could thev sing the couplet : — 

■■ I'll (111)]) m\ l)urcli.-n at liis feet. 
.\ik1 be.ir a soul; away." 

.An excellent likeness of the able and faith- 
ful Christian messenger whose career is brielly 
outlined in the foregoing sketch is presented 
on another page of the " Review. " 




SCAR J. SL.ATi-'.R, a well-known and 
expert mechanic of Deposit, was born 
May 28, 184C), in the town of Hain- 
Iiridge. Chenango Cotmty, \.\'., 
being the son of Joseph .Slater and his wife, 
.Sally Syhius, of Xorthani])ton Coiuitv, I'a. , a 
descendant of one of the early Dutch settlers 
of that section. 

Israel Slater, the father of Joseph, was born 



in the town of Windsoi', \'t., where he received 
his earl\' education, and wiiere he resided 
imtil after his marriage. lie studied nu-di 
cine, and followeil that |)rofession with )iiarkeil 
success in the town of Windsor, also later on 
in Hainbridgt'. l'"rom early youth he showed 

' marked ability in mechanics, and, after com 
ing to New N'ork, used to work as a black- 
smith as well as a larmer. .At one time, ha\ 
ing binlt a fortv-foot bain, he made b\' hand 
all the nails used to shingle it. lie married 
.Susanna Cage, of Washington ColuUv, New 

1 N'ork, and with his wife made the journey 
through the wilderness to Hainbridge, liought 
a tract of tinibi'red land, and erected with iiis 
own hands ,1 log cabin, which was the onlv 
shelter for his famih' foi- main' seasons. 
Many were tlu' hardships and discouragements; 
and caution had to 1k' taken .against the wohes, 
bears, wild-cats, and panthers whieh in those 
da\s aboimded. ( )u one \er\ dark night .Mr. 
Slater was followed In a ])aek of wolves a dis- 
tance of three miles through dense \yoods to 
his own door, although lor some reason the\' 
(lid not dare attack him. Israel .Slater served 
his country at the time of the War of i8ij, 
being one of the brave minute-men stationed at 

I .Sackett's Harbor when the Hritish threatened 
that placi--. Mrs. .Slatei- died when >ixtv-two 
yi.-;irs of age, in 183.), and lelt a lamilvdf (.-iglil 
children: |oseph, the lather ol the subiet't ol 
this sketch; Marcus; Heniimiin; .Nathan; 
Albert; Delia; Caroline; and Charlotte. 
Her son .Albert served muler .Sherman in 
Wood's division, and was killed in the battle 
of Resaca, having had his thigh shattered by 
a shell. 

I [oseph .Slalei" was boiii at Hainbridge in 
1810, and received his education in the sehoids 
of his native town. When he had attained 
sufficient years, he learned the trades of mill- 
wright and joiner, in which callings he 
actively engaged for himself in the town of 
(ireene, Chenango Coimtv, and was consid- 
ered one of the best mechanics in the country. 
Mr. .Slater was a Democrat in politics, and a 
member of the Cniversalist chinch. His 
career was a short one, as he was cut down in 
early manhood, and left a wife anil four chil- 
dren — Lydia, Louisa, Oscar, and Julia. At 
the death of Mr. Slater the home was broken 



49° 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



up. Oscar, the subject of this sketch, went 
to live with his grandfather, Israel Slater; 
Lvdia lived at the home of Iliram Bennet, 
of" Hennettsville; and Louisa, at the home 
of IMilton Bennett, of the same place. Mrs. 
Sally Slater, with her daughter Julia, re- 
turned to her old home in Penn.sylvania, 
where she later married for her second hu.sband 
Urias Holenbeck. of Belvidere, 111., and went 
West, taking with her Julia and Louisa, who 
there married and settled. Louisa became 
the wife of Seth Blood. Julia married David 
M. Gibbs, who soon went to the front in the 
war of the Rebellion. After his return at 
the close of the war they finished their educa- 
tion at Normal, III. and then taught for nine \ 
years, as principal and preceptress, the high 1 
school at Rosemond, Christian County, 111., 
and later, for eleven years, the graded school ! 
at (ienoa. III, where they now reside. Lydia 
married William L. Axtell, a brother of Mrs. 
Oscar }. Slater, and lived near the home of 
her brother's famil\' until she died, in 1892, 
greatly lamented. 

Oscar J. Slater received his education in 
the schools of Bennettsville and Sanford, 
where he lived with his aunt Charlotte, wife : 
of Hiram B. Fuller. In 1S61 Mr. Slater 
started in active business life in the town of 
.Sanford, j-iroome County, \.\'., as a car- 
penter and joiner, which trade he followed 
until I H64, when he went to Masonville, and 
there learned the cooper's trade. In 1866 he 
started in the cooper's business at Deposit 
with a cousin, Orville Wilson. The partner- 
ship continued for about two years, and then 
Mr. Slater bought the i)lace where he now 
resides, and carried on his business for over 
twenty-five years, up to August, 1S94. 

When twenty-four years of age, he married 
July 17, 1864, Margaret A.xtell, daughter of 
Joseph and Caroline (Harper) .^xtell, of 
China. Mrs. Slater received a dlstrict-.school 
education, and was brought up at home, assist- 
ing her parents in the work of the farm, and 
learning to spin wool and Ha.x. The training 
which she received in all domestic pursuits 
excellently fitted her to oversee the home 
which .she now possesses. Mr. and Mrs. 
Slater have one child, Stella Olivia Slater. 
She was graduated at the Deirosit High 



School in the class of 1888, and is an accom- 
plished musician, having received her musical 
education at Clinton Liberal Institute, at I'^ort 
Plain, N. \'. She has large classes of pupils 
on the piano, both in her own and neighboring 
towns, and enjoys an enviable rejjutation as a 
teacher. 

Mr. Slater inherits his skill as a mechanic 
from his grandfather and father, and through 
his success in his work has made for himself a 
pleasant home. Changes in the butter trade 
having made the cooper business unprofitable, 
he has now, January i, 1895, abandoned it, 
and accepted a pleasant and responsible posi- 
tion in the employ of the New York Con- 
densed Milk Company in their condensery in 
Deposit. Mr. Slater's family are members of 
the Baptist church in Deposit, working for 
the interest of the people among whom they 
live, and hulding the respect of the whole 
community. Mr. Slater is a Republican in 
]iolitics, and as a representative of this party 
has been offered several times the most im- 
portant town offices, all of which he has re- 
fused. He has stood like a rock for the 
principles of his party, successfully combat- 
ing, through the press and in public debate, 
what he .sternly characterizes as "the false 
claims of the Democrats, the heresies of the 
(ireenbackers, and the hypocrisy of the 
leaders of the Prohibition movement." 
has also done some good work as a 
preacher. 



He 

lav 



-^KXJ \ML\ J. WHITE was born on 
-'"S. the old White homestead on April 4, 

[j^J 1827. His grandfather, Benjamin, 
who was born in Wales in 1746, 
came to America with the British soldiers 
during the Revolution, and was taken prisoner 
at the battle of Bunker Hill While in the 
soldiers' hosjiital, he fell in love with a young 
nurse who came each day to render her sweet 
services to those .suffering from wounds and 
illnesses. The attraction seems to have been 
mutual; iov the young lady. Miss Lovina 
Tottin by name, afterward became his wife. 
Miss Tottin was a native of Dutchess County, 
New York, where she was born March 7, 
1 761, and was the daughter of Jonas Tottin, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



491 



a Hollander. To Benjamin and Lo\ina White 
eleven children were born — Marv, l.ovina, 
William, John, Benjamin, George C, James, 
Peter \'. G. , Richard, Susan, and I'hohe. 

Benjamin learned the hatter's trade, which 
he followed after the war in .Stronj;' RidLCe, 
L'lster County, X. \'. ; but in 1795 he \i)ked 
an ox team, and, bundling u]) bag, baggage, 
and familv, journe\ed in true pioneer style to 
Delaware Countv. Arriving in Colchester, on 
the Delaware River, he purchased a hundred 
acres of land, and built a log house in which 
to abide. This was burned to the ground : and 
subsequently he erected a clapboard liouse, 
which is still standing, in a fairl\- good state 
of jirescrvation. Here he established a hat 
factorv and built a cider-mill, the nearest 
mill and market being at Kingston. .Al- 
though the distance was not great, it took 
cjuite a week to make the journey liack and 
forth, and necessitated great inconvenience 
now and then. He was a Democrat, ami 
lived to be eighty years old. 11 is wife died 
October l,^, 1857. at the age of ninety-six 
vears. 

Peter \'an Gasbeck White was Ixiin in 
L'lster County, and came to Delaware County 
with his father when a lad. Here he was 
educated: and, as he grew older, he took 
tender care of the aged father and motlier who 
leaned uixm his youth and strength. Cjion 
coming into possession ot the homestead, he 
married, July 9, 1826, Miss Charlotte .Sutton, 
a (laughter of Caleb and Sarah .Sutton, formerly 
of Dutchess County, but now living near Han- 
cock. A family of eight brothers and sisters 
filled the -Sutton home with sounds of fun and 
frolic. Their children were James, Abraham, 
Polly, I.ettie, Hettie, Abby, Charlotte, and 
Sherman. The latter is still living, at eighty- 
three \ears of age. 

Peter \'. Cj. White was known for his skill 
as a [jilot, displaying great dexterity and 
energy in floating his lumber rafts down the 
ri\-er. .Seven trips were accomplished in one 
year. In the early days this rafting was an 
arduous (.■nterprise, the return tri]) being made 
by water to Kingston, from which point the 
rest of the journey, a distance of sixty-five 
miles, was made afoot. Railroail travel now 
renders the journey a ^hort and easy one. 



Nine children were born to Peter \'. (r. White 
and his wife Charlotte. The eldest, Benjamin 
J., born April 4, 1827, married Lovina ilurd. 
William G., born .April 25, 1829, married 
.Sarah A. Holiday. Jeremv T. , born FelMuarv 

24. 1832. married Caroline Schoonmaker. 
John .S. , born June 24, 18:54, married Mar\ 
]■'.. Radiker. b'.unice Page, bi>rn Januar\- 24, 
1837, married Wesley lerrv. Pluu-be Jane, 
born March 12, 1839, married .Nicholas Barn- 
harilt. Peter Harrison, born .\pril 19, 1 S4 1 , 
is dead. Hettie Maria, born December 15, 
1843, married John Warren. Mary Cornelia, 
born Septembei' 9. 1846. married James 
Berhim. Mr. Peter \'an (;a>beck U'hite 
served in the War of 1812. He died October 

25, 1862. His wife died May 19, 1866. 
Benjamin J. White, their eldest son, grew 

to \ears of discretion in his native town, and 
received his education in the common schools. 
He was married in 1854 to Miss l.ovina Ilurd. 
whose father came from Connecticut in the 
early davs of the settlement of .Sullivan 
Countv, and who married a Miss Mai lory. 
Mrs. l.ovina White had five sisters — Olivia, 
Mary, Charlotte, Minerva, and Harriet - and 
three brothers -- John, Curtis, and Charles. 
Mrs. White died, leaving these children to 
solace her husband in his grief. The eldest 
of these, l-'redG., born January 26, 18311, is a 
carpt-nter in Delhi, m.arried Mary .A. Hawks. 
and has two children - Bell and Bessie. 
Charlotte, born .September \C>. 1 S60, married 
(jeorge Knoll, a farmer of Parksville, .Sulli- 
van C<iuntv, to whom she has borne two 
children. Bell, born .September 18, 1863, 
married Herman Wilson, a farmei' in Wal- 
ton; and they have two chiUlren. WiKon 
P. lives in Indian Territory. 

Mr. Benjamin J. White at one time owneM 
a farm of one hundred ami forty acres near 
Walton. Later he lived for seven years at 
Brock Hollow, afterward farming at Trout 
Brook. He married for his second wife Mrs 
Hannah Hawk, widow of Daniel Hawk, and 
a daughter of David and Mary Ann (Caunift) 
Hawk. Her jiarents raised a family of seven 
children -Susan, Hannah, Caroline, Charles, 
Mliza, \'enice. and INerett — all of whom live 
in Matteawan, Dutchess County. Mrs. Whites 
first husband, Daniel Hawk, was a descendant 



492 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



of Ebon Hawk, who settled in this section 
when there was only an Indian trail through to 
Ncwburg. Onlv one child, a daughter, was 
born of Mr. White's last marriage. This 
daughter, Susie L. by name, was born on the 
first day of May, 1879, and lives at the paren- 
tal home. Mr. White is one of the seven 
men who formed the Masonic Lodge of Wal- 
ton. He is a I'rohibitioni.st, and a Democrat 
in politics, and is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. He has filled several small 
offices in the town, and is now Notary Public 
of Colchester. 




XDKl'.W T. STKAX(;EWAV was 
horn in Hovina, Delaware County, in 
the year i S40. His grandfather, 
Thomas Strangeway, the progenitor 
of the Strangewav family in America, was a 
native of Scotland, wht) settled in Middletown, 
where he bought a farm and raised a family of 
three sons and two daughters. He died in 
Walton. Christopher, the father of Andrew, 
was also a Scotchman, anil was evidently quite 
a lad at the time of his father's emigration to 
America, as he had been apprenticed to a black- 
smith in Scotland, and had acquired great skill 
in his craft. The vast agricultural facilities 
of the new country encouraging him to turn his 
attention to husbandry, he bought a farm of 
one hundred acres, whence he mo\cd several 
years later to take ixissession of a small estate 
known as the "turnpike farm," u|)on which 
the remaining years of his life were spent. 
The steady, strong hand of the smith was 
turned with equal success to the plough, spade, 
and scythe; and Christopher had accumulated 
a fair share of worldly goods and chattels 
within his allotted years. He married a Mi.ss 
Margaret Thompson, of Hovina; and the five 
children born of the marriage are all living. 
They are: William T. Strangeway, a farmer 
in Delhi; Andrew, the central figure of this 
familv group; Helen, the wife of Mr. George 
Gladstone, of j-iovina; Thomas C, who resides 
on the old place ; and James, a farmer of 
Andes. Christopher Strangeway was a Re- 
jniblican in politics, and a United Presbyterian 
in religious faith. 

Andrew T. Strangeway was educated in the 



schools of his native town, and at about thirty 
years of age engaged in mercantile life in 
Bovina with Mr. John Hilson. This jxartner- 
ship continued for three years, when Mr. 
Strangeway went into business for himselt, in 
which he has prospered throughout the period 
of twenty-three years of close application. It 
seems that Mr. Strangeway must have had in 
a large degree that pertinacity of purpose and 
clear foresight which combine to produce what 
is known as business talent, and this aptitude 
for the practical details of life is doubtless an 
inheritance from his Scotch ancestors. At all 
events, he is what is called a ".success." 

In 1874 Mr. Strangeway consummated his 
youth's ideal of happiness in his marriage with 
Miss Margaret A. Doig, of Bovina. The 
young lady was the youngest daughter of An- 
drew and Margaret Doig, her father being a 
well-known farmer in the neighborhood. Only 
six years of wedded union followed; for in 
1880 Mrs. Strangeway died, leaving three 
little motherless children to her husband's 
care: Maggie D. and Elizabeth J. Strangeway, 
and Harvey C, the last named being now de- 
ceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Strangeway were 
members of the United Presbyterian church at 
Bovina Centre. 

In politics this gentleman has always been 
Republican, The people of Bovina have 
given ]iroof of their confidence in him by 
electing him to the office of Town Clerk, a 
position he has filled creditably for several 
terms; while in the church he has also been a 
prominent official. The elder of Mr. Strange- 
way's daughters is a graduate of the Delhi 
.Academy, and both young ladies are teachers 
in their nati\'e town. 




ILLIAM REED, an enterprising 
farmer and dairyman of I'nion 
Grove, in the town of Andes, Dela- 
ware County, is a man of good judgment and 
foresight, having by his energy and industry 
won well-deserved prosperity. His father, 
Samuel H. Reed, was a son of Samson and 
Rebecca (Hammond) Reed, natives of New 
Hampshire. Their other children were Eliza- 
beth, William, and Levi Reed. Samuel H. 
was born in Hamilton, Madison County, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



403 



N.\'., Juno I, 1S30, ami married I{li/al)itli 
iM. 15akcr. ilaiighter of John M. ami M. W. 
(IMillcr) Hakfi-. llcr iiarcnts were both born 
in Rhode Island: ami they had live ehildreii 
— i:ii/.abeth M., Sarah A.,' John M., Warren 
A., and Snsan L. Mrs. John M. 15aker was a 
daughter of John R. and Elizabeth (Wilson) 
Miller, both of Rhode Island. Samuel II. 
Reed and wife I^lizabeth had three children. 
James, the eldest, was born October 22, 1847, 
W'illiam was born November 5, 1852, and 
Elizabeth Xovember 19, 1855. Mr. Reed's 
occiiixition wa.s farming and lumbering. He 
resided in Sherburne, Chenango Countv. In 
1863 he enlisted in the Twentieth New \'oik 
Cavalry. Soon alter the war he movt'd with 
his family to the town of Andes. Ili-ri' he 
helped to erect a saw-mill at Big I'oiid, now 
called Mountain Lake, and also aided in 
building a road from that ]jlace to the Barka- 
boom road, a distance of three miles. He 
worked at lumbering foi- a niniiber of years, 
and then sold out to James Murdoek and 
W. 11. b'.llsworth, and with his son William 
bought the farm of four lunxlred aci'es which 
is the ];rcsent home of the familv. The land 
was then entirely uncultivated; hut b\- un- 
ceasing toil it was cleared, and substantial 
buildings, including a saw-mill, wen.' erected. 
Samuel II. Reed died December 17, 1892. 
His widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Reed, still lives, 
making hiT home with her children. .She is 
a member of the Presbyterian church. 

James Reed married, in 1870, Mllen I'ud- 
ney. They reside at jjresent in Norwich, 
Chenango ('ount\', and have two children, 
namely: Chailes I,., born October 11. 1871: 
and Arthur J., born .\ugust 18, 1879. Lli/.i- 
beth Reed married July 4, 1874, I.ero}' 
Decker: and they have four children : .Samuel 
O., born November 16, 1876; Maud M., Au- 
gust 17, 1878: I.ina II., June ij, 1880; 
Leroy, December 28, 1886. Their home is 
in -Sodom, Colchester. 

William Reed was educated in the district 
school at .Sherburne, and later attended the 
Sherburne Academy, living at home with his 
parents till he was twenty-one. On July 4, 
1876, he married Salome Decker, who was 
born September 18, 1858, daughter of Philip 
and Margaret Decker. Mr. and Mrs. W'illiam 



Reed ha\'e seven children, ;is follow^s: Lillie 
M. Reed, born July 13, 1877: William Wal- 
ter, J:»nu:iry 18, 1879; Myrtle \'., March 
16, 1880:' M. Idleii, I'ebruary 9, 1882; 
Floyil Ci., July 1, 1884: Charles I., October 
31, 1887; C. l.esley, August 19, 1890. 

Mr. Reed is a DeuKKrat, being an active 
]iolitician, and is a member of the Methodist 
P'piscopal church. His carei'r has been a 
successful ;uul prf)sperous one, everything 
about his farm giving evidence of the good 
management and energy expended ui)on it. 
He began lite in a most humble way, and 
to-day owns one of the finest farms in this 
section of the country, in connection with 
which he o|)erates an e\tensi\e dairv. He 
may well be considered one of the most po|)u- 
lar men in the town, and is held in the great- 
est esteem bv all his fellow-citizens. 



\.Mi;S W. l.AKIN is an esteemed resi- 
dent (i| Hancock, where he was born 
May 13, 1839. He is a descendant of 
some ol the most noted men <if this 
pait ol the country; and the histor\' of his 
;incestors is a history of the trials, hardshiiis. 
and hraverv of the earh' davs. 

The grandfather of J;unes W, was Jonas 
l.akin, who came with his jiarents from New 
London, Conn., in 1795, :uid settled on I'art- 
riilge Island, tlu' Wheeler famih' migrating at 
the same time. Though advantages for eiluca- 
tion were then l)ut meagre. Jonas overcame all 
the difficulties in the wav. and acquired a 
knowledge not onlv of the common branches, 
hut also ol law. His learning anil soimd juilg- 
inent ga\e him a wide reputation in the sur- 
rounding countrw and his ;Kl\ice was often 
called for in affairs of import;ince in town and 
.State. T'or o\er thirt\ \ears he was Justice 
of the Peace, and for many vears was Coroner. 
He was a Tree Mason ;ind a Democrat, and 
one of the most prominent men of his time in 
])olitics. Jonas Lakin's wife was I'rudence 
I'arks, daughter of "Boswin " Parks, the most 
noted scout and hunter in this part of the 
conntrv in Revolutionary times. 

"Boswin " Parks's real name was Josiah ; 
and he, with a man named .Skinner, was the 
first to take a raft tlown the ri\er to Philadel- 



494 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



phia. Skinner was nicknamed "Admiral"; 
and at tlie same time Parks received his sobri- 
quot of the "Hoswin," by which he is gen- 
erally remembered in the Delaware Valley. 
Stories of him and his daring exploits are very 
numerous. He often lay concealed for days at 
a time to escape the Indians, at one time hid- 
ing with his family in a cave near Equino.x, 
Pa., while the Indians searched the surround- 
ing country for him. He was a man of ath- 
letic build and matchless nerve, an antagonist 
to be feared by all who met him in combat, as 
was well attested by a Tory named Goodman, 
with whom he had a hand-to-hand contest. 
They were coming down the river in a canoe 
together, when a political dispute ensued; 
and, leaving the canoe, they landed on an 
island in the Delaware River, about one mile 
above Fish's Eddy, and there fought it out, 
"Hoswin " coming off victorious. 

He was always scouting about the Indian 
camps, finding out their plans ; and many 
defenceless settlers owed their lives to his 
timely warning. Once he started from Co- 
checton and made his way through the wilder- 
ness to the Wyoming Valley, to warn the 
settlers there of the approach of the Indians 
and Tories under Brant and Sir John Johnston. 
He was met with suspicion, and confined in 
the block-house, the officers thinking he was 
a renegade or Tory who was trying to entice 
them outside their defences, that they might 
the more easilv fall upon them. He was, 
however, recognizeil by an officer as "Boswin" 
Parks, the scout, and allowed tt) depart ; but 
his warning was unheeded, and the terrible 
Wyoming massacre followed. One night, 
when he encamped on an island in the east 
branch of the Delaware River, being accom- 
l)anied by his wife and small children, they 
were attacked by three Indians. "Boswin" 
disposed of one with a shot from his rifle, and 
then turned and struggled with a second. 
While thus engaged, the third savage managed 
to twist his fingers in a handkerchief which 
the brave frontiersman wore knotted around 
his neck, and nearly succeeded in choking 
him, when Mrs. Parks came u]) from behind 
with a butcher's knife and cut the handker- 
chief; ami her husband, regaining his breath, 
made quick work of the remaining Indians. 



This fiercest of the fierce combats of those 
wild days gave the name of Bloody Island to 
the place where it occurred. The reputation 
of Mr. Parks as an Indian fighter made him a 
valuable scout for the Revolutionary army. 
His thrilling adventures are still told in the 
valley where much of his life was spent. He 
was an old man when he died, and was buried 
on Partridge Island. 

Mrs. Prudence Parks Lakin lived to the 
extraordinary age of one hundred and eight 
years. Her memory was excellent ; and she 
never tired of telling of the perils of her early 
youth, of which she retained a distinct recol- 
lection. She was well acquainted with Tom 
Quick, the noted Indian slayer of the Revolu- 
tionary days, who was a companion of her 
father. Well did she remember how on two 
different occasions the family were taken by 
their father into his canoe in the night to 
escape from the Indians, and how many times 
they lay for days concealed in caves and woods 
until the enemy was put off the scent. She 
retained her faculties until the last. About 
twenty years previous to her death she dis- 
carded her glasses, being able to read without 
them, and at the age of one hundred often took 
walks by herself, going three or four miles. 
She had two brothers, William and Moses, 
natives of Hancock, who lived to be nearly 
ninety; and her sisters also li\-ed to a good old 
age. Moses Parks was a pensioner of the W'ar 
of 1812. 

Jonas Lakin lukI liis wife cleared the land 
now occupied In' their grandson, James W. , 
and erected thereon a log house. They were 
the parents of nine children. Their eldest son 
was William G., father of the subject of this 
sketch. Their other children were: Homer, 
a farmer and lumberman at Como, Pa., Justice 
of the Peace, and a prominent citizen; Salose, 
a merchant lumberman and blacksmith at 
Pease luldy, Hancock; George, a Pennsyl- 
\ania farmer, now engaged in the livery busi- 
ness in Hancock; Arad .S. , a minister and 
missionary, a self-educated man, who, ex- 
periencing religion at eighteen, studied for 
the ministry, preached in Delaware County 
and New ^'ork City, enlisted in the army as 
Chaplain, under Sherman, and after the war 
went South anil established a church and 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



495 



school for tlie cnlij;htennicnt of tlic iK'i;n>cs; 
Elvira; Thankful; Louisa; and Sali\-. 

William (i. Lakin was cilucatcd in his na- 
tive town ot Hancock, and was a lumberman 
anil farmer. lie was a prominent man in town 
affairs, and one ol i;reat al)ilit\- in business. 
He niarrieil Sophia Wheeler, (lau,i;hter of 
Royal Wheeler, and i;rand-dau,i;hter of iMcder- 
ick and Mary (Comstock) Wheeler, of Han- 
cock. Mr. W. Ci. I.akin died October j6, 
1851, in the i)iime of life; and liis wife sur- 
vived him a nmnber of \ears, <lyin,i; Se|)tem- 
her 23, i.S.So. I'heir children now li\in_i;- are 
as follows: Oscar, a larmer and lumberman at 
Dingmans, I'a. ; luul S. , a farmer at iMsh's 
lukly ; I'orter, a farmer and lumberman in Han- 
cock; and the subject of this sketch. 

James W. Lakin was educatcil in the district 
school ol liis native town, anil started as a 
limiberman at an early a_L;'e. He is a promi- 
nent member of the l-'ree Masons, and has for 
two terms i)een an abk' C'onnnissioner of 
Highways. On May 10, i-SX^, Mr. Lakin 
was married to Lucy .Sheiinan, daughter of 
Cieorge and Susan (Lakin) Sherman, nati\-es 
of I'ennsylvania. They haw oni- child, (irace 
Lakin, born |ul_\ 5, i8,S-. Mi-. Lakin has 
inherited from his illustrious ancestors much 
ot their strength of character, and is to-dav 
one ol tlie ablest men of the town. 



^-fT^ROl'KSSOK JOHN V. SMITH, 
I N^^ teacher, well known in Delaware 
|lS and adjacent counties, now engage.! 
in the work of his profession at 
Ro.\bur\', \.\'., was born at Potter Hollow, 
Albany Count)-, July 8, 1843. His great- 
grandfather, William Sniith. came o\'erseas 
from ICngland, and settled at Hangall, Dutch- 
ess Countv, N.N'., where he obtained a large 
tract of unreclaimed land, and set to work to 
make it productive. After some little time 
he sold this farm, and moved to Potter Hol- 
low, where he bought a much larger estate. 
The new farm was still a wilderness when he 
took it, and he had to clear the land before he 
could plough it. He built a comfortable 
house and a good barn, and soon had a beau- 
tiful home. Before this, however, he had 
served in the arm\- throughout the French and 



Indian War. He lived long enough to sec 
the beginnings of the Ignited .States of Amer- 
ica, and to take some part in the early 
political life of the country. He was a [ef- 
fersonian Democrat in politics. He died at 
the age of eighty-seven, leaving thirteen chil- 
dren, who all lived to gooil (dd age. 

Isaac J. Smith, one of the sons of William, 
was born on the old farm at Potter Hollow. 
He was educatcil in the district school, and 
at the age of eighteen began to learn the car- 
penter's trarle -an occupation which he fol- 
lowed through life. He was one of the 
leading contractors atui builders in the region, 
and left behind him as witness of his energy 
and skill many well-built tanneries and grist- 
mills. When he was twenty years of age, he 
married Miss Phiebe Wyatt, a lady of Welsh 
parentage. He built a con-ifortable home, and 
had a family of seven children — Lot J., Dan- 
iel, Leonard, John W., Orin, Piatt A., and 
Sarah M. Isaac J. Smith was a Democrat. 
He li\-ed to the age of eighty-five years, his 
wile having died when she was si.\ty. 

Lot J. Smith was born and grew to man- 
hood on the old Smith homestead, at Potter 
Hollow. When he was seventeen, he began 
leaitiiiig the carpenter's trade with his father, 
and worked at this for four years, until he 
was of age. Hut he was more interested in 
agriculture, and, soon taking ujj that occupa- 
tion, followed it to the end of his days, 
putting forth his best efforts to make it pro- 
gressive. In this he was ahimdantl)' success- 
ful. When twentv-one vears old, ^Ir. Lot J. 
.Smith married Alniina \'oung, daughter of 
John r. ;uid Margaret Young, of Albany 
County. .Mr. Young was a farmer, and died 
at the age of si.xtv-eight, survi\eil by his wifi'. 
who lived to be eighty years oltl. They had 
seven children Peter J., Julia M.. Henry, 
Johi-i W., Margaret, Jeremiah, and Almina. 
Mr. and Mrs. Lot J. Smith had si.x chililren 
- -Samuel. Isaac, John \'., Rosina, .-Xnn IC, 
and Julia M. Samuel married Amy Haga- 
done, and has five childreii. Isaac married 
Cynthia Co]jpern(dl: and both he and his wife 
are now dead, leaving three children. The 
three daughters — Rosina, Ann, and Julia 
Smith — are deceased. Mr. Lot J. Smith 
died in the si.Nty-eighth year of his age, from 



496 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



the effects of a fall. His wife died when she 
was sixty-eight. Mr. Smith was a Democrat, 
and he and Mrs. Smith were members of the 
Baptist church at Preston Hollow. 

John Y. Smith began his education at the 
district school. He was a good scholar, and 
when he was only sixteen he got a situation as 
teacher. He afterward went to the academy 
at West Durham, and took an advanced course 
to fit himself more thoroughly for this work, 
and was graduated from that institution in 
1S63. Then for seven summers and eight 
winters he taught school during the winter 
term, and worked at carpentering in the sum- 
mer. In 1876 Professor Smith accepted the 
offer of a school in Durham. This was his 
first school which kept in session the year 
round. After three years of satisfactory ser- 
vice in Durham, he accepted a call to Middle- 
burg, where he stayed four years, and was 
well liked and much respected. Then he 
went to Gilboa, and taught there for six years. 
He won many friends, and left the schools in 
a good condition. For the past five years 
Professor Smith has been teaching in Rox- 
bury, where his record is well known. 

Professor Smith married Lucy Hisert, 
daughter of Benjamin F. and Ann Hisert. 
Mr. Hisert was a blacksmith and inventor, 
who lived at Norton Hill, Greene County, 
afterward at Coxsackie, and now lives at Hoo- 
sick Falls. Mrs. Smith had four brothers and 
sisters— Dallas M., Jannett, Philip B., and 
F"rank Hisert. Mrs. Smith was a Methodist. 
She died April 30, 18S8, at the age of thirty- 
nine years, leaving three daughters, who have 
all been school-teachers. The eldest, Alice 
Jeannette, was born September 27, 1869. 
She married Zopher E. Reed, lives in Rox- 
bury, and has one child, John Henry Reed. 
Julia Franklin Smith was born December 23, 
1872, and is now living at home, as is also 
Almina Ann, who was born March 7, 1875. 
All three of the daughters belong to the 
Methodist church. Professor Smith is a 
Democrat in politics. He is now fifty-one 
years old, and has the respect and esteem of 
the town's people, who know him as a public- 
spirited man, a man who has at heart the 
best interests of his school and of the com- 
munity. 



AMES D. CHRISMAN, carpenter and 
builder, an intelligent and worthy rep- 
resentative of the industrial interests 
of the village of Walton, was born in 
the Weed settlement, in the town of Walton, 
in March, 1831, being a son of Jacob Chris- 
man, who was born at German Flats, on the 
Mohawk River, July 15, 1784, and died in 
Walton on October 24, 1877. Jacob was a 
son of Frederick Chrisman, whose early life 
was spent in the home of his nativity, Ham- 
burg, Germany. He emigrated to the United 
States in 1772, bringing with him his wife, 
and also two or three of his family of four 
sons and two daughters. He bought a large 
tract of unimproved land in the fertile flats of 
the Mohawk Valley, and he and his sons be- 
came well-to-do farmers. A brother of Fred- 
erick Chrisman, William Chrisman, accom- 
panied him to this country, and settled in 
Chester, Pa. He reared seven children, five 
of them sons, one of whom became a whole- 
sale grocer in Philadelphia, and another a 
well-known druggist in the same city. 

Jacob Chrisman did his full share of pio- 
neer work, and eventually became an exten- 
sive land-holder. During the War of 18 12 he 
did gallant service for his country at Sackett's 
Harbor. On September 11, iSio, he was 
united in marriage to Betsey Day, who was 
born in Craig's settlement, in the town of 
Tompkins, Delaware County, May 20, 1790, 
and who died in Walton in 1850. She was 
a daughter of John and Nancy (Craig) Day, 
both natives of this county, and prosperous 
members of the farming community. Mr. 
Day made a voyage to the Sandwich Islands, 
where he was taken sick and died, leaving his 
widow with one daughter and four sons, of 
whom John Day, of Titusville, is the only 
one now living. In 1830 Jacob Chrisman 
and his wife came to the town of Walton, 
and, buying one hundred and fiftv acres of 
land on the Delaware Flats, in the Weed set- 
tlement, carried on general farming as long 
as they lived. Six children were born to 
them, as follows: Henry Chrisman, of Wal- 
ton; Mary Ann, the wife of Michael Hess, 
who died in Buchanan, Mich., at the age of 
forty-four years, leaving two sons; Eliza, the 
wife of Peter Hess, who resides in Hesston, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



497 



tnd.; George, for many years a hotel-keeper 
in Hurley, Wis., dying there in October, 
1893, leaving three daughters and two sons; 
Ahram and James D., residing in Walton. 
The mother died September 7, 1850; and .Mr. 
Chrisman subsequently married .Mrs. Redeker, 
a widow. 

James D. Chrisman spent his \H)unger days 
in school, and at the age of seventeen began a 
three years' apjirenticeship at the carpenter's 
trade, and afterward was employed for a year 
as a journeyman carpenter. In Fel)ruary, 
1852, he started for California, via Nica- 
ragua, arriving at the Golden Gate cit\' on 
March 25. I'rom San Francisco he went to 
the placer mines at Rattlesnake and Wild 
Goose I5ar, si.\ miles from Auburn, the countv 
seat of Placer County, and for three \'ears 
thereafter he engaged in mining, owning two 
claims, one on each side of the river. The 
following year Mr. Chrisman was engaged in 
the lumber business, with a yard at Wild 
Goose Flats. .Although quite successful in 
his ventures, the love of home was strong 
within his breast; and he returned to this 
State, ha\ing been absent four years to a day. 
Resuming his former occupation in Walton, he 
has since been [jrofitably em])loyed, not only 
in this county, but beyond its borders, having 
erected some of the fine residences and iiusi- 
ness buildings in Wellsville. Friendship, 
Hornellsville, .-Xndover. Independence, and 
elsewhere, also churches in .Addison, Wallace, 
South .Addison. Orrville, Cameron, and other 
places too numerous to mention. 

While working in Independence, Allegany 
County, X.\'., .Mr. Chrisman met, wooed, 
and won the estimable woman who became his 
wife. She was then known as Julia A. Bas- 
sett; and their wedding was celebrated 
September 9, 1856, at the residence of her 
parents, John C. and Martha (St. John) I^as- 
sett. Three children have been born to them, 
one of whom. George B., died at the age of 
twenty months. Two daughters, Harriet J. 
and Lizzie, are li\ing. The f(jrmer is the 
wife of Julius St. John, and they have three 
sons. Lizzie, who married William Wade, of 
Walton, has a son and a daughter living, and 
has lost one little son. Mr. and Mrs. Chris- 
man are finely located in the pleasant house 



which he built some tliirteen years ago, and 
which his son-in-law. Mr. St. John, and fam- 
ily occupy with them. .Mr. Chrisman occu- 
pies a good [losition in the community, 
possessing in an eminent degree the confi- 
dence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. 
Socially, he is one of the eldest I'ree Masons 
in Walton, having belonged to that fraternity 
thirty-three years. He is a Chapter Mason 
of the Scottish rites, antl has served as .Sec- 
retary and Treasurer of I^lue Lodge. In poli- 
tics he casts his \c)te with the Democratic 
party, doing his full duty at the polls, but has 
never been an aspirant for public office. 




DG.AR (). L.AKI.X. the prosperous pro- 
prietor of a well-stocked and finely 
equi])ped farm bordering on Lake 
Somerset, in Hancock, Delaware County, 
X.Y., was born in this town in July, 1837. 
The Lakin family is one of the oldest in New 
York .State, and the early ancestors of the 
subject of this sketch were among the pioneer 
settlers of the Delaware Valley. A further 
historv of the family may be found in this 
volume in connection with the biography of 
John T. Lakin, a brother of Edgar. 

Edgar (). Lakin was educated in the schools 
of Hancock, and was still quite young when, 
owing to the death of his fatiier, he learned to 
rely upon his own resources. His early occu- 
pation was that of lumbering, working in the 
saw-mills, and teaming the lumber to the 
ri\'er. In 1861 he came to Homand Tond, 
since called Lake Somerset, the countr)' being 
then but a wilderness; and here he cleared 
his land, and engaged in farming and lumber- 
ing, which occupations he still follows. His 
extensive farm buildings are of most modern 
architecture; and his two hundred acres of 
land near the lake, togethi-r with one hundred 
ant! fifty-six acres of woodland, are carried on 
bv the most im])roved methods. 

Mr. Lakin married July 26, 1S60, Mary 
lunma I-lvans, whose parents were Nathan and 
Mary .Ann (Jordan) Evans. She was born 
near Philadelphia, her father being an engi- 
neer on the Reading Railroad. Mr. Evans 
was struck by an engine, and killed w-hile yet 
in the prime of life, and at his death left a 



498 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



widow and three children. His daughter 
Mary Emma, came to Delaware County when 
about twelve years of age, and till her mar- 
riage made her home with an aunt, Mrs. Loc- 
mans, of Pease Eddy, Hancock. Mr. and 
Mrs. Lakin are the parent^ of four children, 
namely: Leonie, born October 15, 1862; 
Charles E., born October S, 1864; Edward 
D., born February 8, 1876; and Reuben A., 
born August 10, 1890. 

Mr. Edgar O. Lakin has served his town as 
Collector for two years. He has one of the 
most beautifully located homes in the town or 
county, standing on the picturesque shore of 
the delightful sheet of water known as Lake 
Somerset, the homestead being surrounded 
by stately and venerable trees. Everything 
about the estate gives evidence of a man of 
taste and good judgment, as well as thriftful 
industry. 




iDWARD A. ACKLEY, managing edi- 
tor of the Stamford Rccorde7\ was born 
in Troy, N.Y., May 30, 1869. He 
comes of excellent parentage, his father, 
Ferdinand W. Ackley, having been a man of 
exceptional ability. Ferdinand W". Ackley 
was born in W'ashington County, where he re- 
ceived his early education, and when quite 
young began the study of law, and was ad- 
mitted to the Rensselaer County bar. From 
his youth he took a great interest in politics, 
being a stanch Democrat, and in the interests 
of his party made many brilliant speeches, 
which won for him a lasting reputation. 
When he died in the prime of his life, being 
but forty-two years of age, Rensselaer County 
lost one of its best-known lawyers and most 
energetic political workers. 

Edward A. Ackley received his education 
at the St. Paul's School at Salem, N.Y., and 
at the Bulkeley High School at New London, 
Conn. He began the work of life in New 
York City, as an ofifice boy, and step by step 
was promoted until he became manager of the 
business. Here he remained five years, when 
he started a manufacturing business for him- 
self under the firm name of Ackley, Allen & 
Co. After two years his health failed, and 
he sold his business and came to Stamford, 



where among the Catskills he rapidly im- 
proved. Being possessed of literary taste and 
ability, he went into the office of the Rc- 
cor(iei\ assisting in the editorial work as a 
pastime and as his health would allow. On 
September i, 1893, he became a stockholder 
in the company, and was appointed director. 
September i, 1894, Mr. William Clark, the 
editor, resigned; and Mr. Ackley was chosen 
editor and general manager. 

Through his efforts the Stamford Recorder 
has become the leading weekly paper in Dela- 
ware County, and is a stanch supporter of Re- 
publican principles. In the spring of 1894 
the Recorder printed and distributed four 
thousand illustrated souvenirs of Stamford by 
way of showing their appreciation of the sup- 
port which it had received from the people of 
the town. 

Mr. Ackley is interested in all enterprises 
calculated to promote the welfare of the town, 
and in all things shows himself a public- 
spirited citizen, his efforts in behalf of good 
government and the advancement of local 
interests meeting with the hearty co-operation 
of his fellow-citizens. 




^ATTHEW W. MARVIN, a promi- 
nent lawyer of Walton, and one of 
the firm of Marvin & Hanford, 
has always resided in the town of 
his birth, taking an active part in its political 
and social affairs. He is descended from an 
old pioneer family, a full account of which is 
given in the sketch of his brother, Mr. 
Nathaniel C. Marvin. 

Thomas Marvin, the present Matthew's 
father, was born in Connecticut, but, when a 
very small boy, was brought to Walton by his 
father, Matthew Marvin, a hero of the Revo- 
lution, who had married Mary Weed, of that 
State. This worthy couple were the parents 
of six children, five of whom lived to reach 
maturity; and they now sleep side by side in 
the Walton cemetery, having died at ad- 
vanced ages, firm believers in the Congrega- 
tional faith, in which they reared their 
children. Thomas Marvin's wife was Dency 
Tiffany, of Hamden; and after their marriage 
they began life on the farm in that town, but 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



•199 



soDii removed to the old homestead, where his 
wife died in 1845. Thomas Marvin was a 
soldier in the War of 18 12, where he fou,t;ht 
gallantly for his country. He was a Ueaeon 
of the Congregational church, in wiiich he 
had been reared from chililiiood. In 1861 he 
took up his residence in W'altnn with his son, 
Nathaniel C. Marvin, where lie died, leaving 
eight children, namely: Andrew Mar\in, who 
has since died in Hrooklyn, N.Y., the father 
of two sons; William, who died in New Jer- 
sey in 1 886, leaving a widow; Thomas K., of 
Walton; Joseph T., now in Kansas; Nathan- 
iel C, a popular lawyer of Walton; l'"red- 
erick F., of Kansas; Mli/a, the widow of the 
Rev. J. P. Root, of Boston: and Matthew W., 
the subject of this sketch. 

Matthew W. Alarvin was born in Walton, 
November 18, 1832, and grew u]) on his 
father's farm, attending the district school. 
When nineteen years of age, he entered the 
Walton Academy, where he pursued his stud- 
ies two years. For five terms he taught in 
the district schools of his native town, but 
left the teacher's desk in 1862, to enlist in 
the One Ihuulred and T'orty-fourth Regiment, 
New York \'olunteer Infantr\'. He took the 
field as I-"irst Lieutenant of Company H. and 
in March, 1863, became Captain of that corn- 
pan)-. He served throughout the war, fort- 
iniately escajjing injury, and returned in good 
health when the struggle was over. Mr. Mar- 
vin has received five commissions from the 
governor of New \'ork, among them those of 
Adjutant and Major of the regiment. In 
1879 he organized one of the best companies 
of the State, of which he was Captain for thir- 
teen years, resigning in 1892. After the war 
he began the study of law with his brother, 
Nathaniel Curtis Marvin, and has been prac- 
tising for about twenty-four years. .Mr. Mar- 
vin is a Chapter Mason, and has ser\'ed as 
High-priest and Master of the Lodge. He is 
also a Past Master Workman in the .Vncient 
Order of United Workmen. 

In 1864, when at home as a recruiting 
officer, he married Isabella Sinclair, who was 
born in Stamford, daughter of Hector and 
Anna (Moore) Sinclair, of .Scotch ancestry, 
and a descendant of John .Moore, one ol the 
oldest and most celebrated settlers in this por- 



tion of the State. .Mr. and .Mrs. Marvin have 
been calletl to ]jart with one tiaughter, Dency, 
who tlieil when thirteen years of age. They 
have five children now living: Llizabelh, wife 
of William Wells, of Mi(ldlet<nvn, who has 
one daughter; Mary, who married Phili]) 
Titus, and has one son and one daughter; 
Hector .S., who resides at home, and is As- 
sistant Postmaster; Harry F., a lad in school; 
and Anna lk-11, a young lady still at school. 

Mr. Marvin has been Supervisor of the 
town. President of the village, and Presi- 
dent of the Hoard of Kducation. He has also 
served one term in the State .Senate. He is a 
member of the Republican party, the interests 
of which he ever has at heart, and whose 
principles receive his earnest support. A 
gentleman of high moral character, brilliant 
intellect, and untiring energy, he is regarded 
by his friends and associates as a living ex- 
ample I if honor and u])rightness. 




LLIAM H. WEBB is a man to 



whom have come experiences, dan- 
gers, and deprivations which it has 
been the fate of few men of recent times to 
undergo. He was born on .September 24, 
1837, in Kilsby, Northamptonshire, England, 
son of William Webb, a sheep-raiser in that 
place. The family afterward moved to West 
Haddon, where the father spent the remainder 
of his life, and was buried. 

William H. Webb received his early educa- 
tion at the common school of West Haddon, 
and when eighteen years of ;ige enlisted in 
the Fifth Northumberland Fusi leers, and em- 
barked for the Crimean War. Leaving Ports- 
mouth in 1854, the regiment jMOceeded to the 
town of V'arna. Turkey, with the exi)ect;Uion 
of meeting tiie Russians on the Danube. 
After a short stav they were ordered across 
the Black Sea to the Crimea, where they 
landed at the mouth of the river Alma. 'Phey 
were engaged in the battles of Alma and 
Inkerman, anil in the long siege of Sebasto- 
pol. .After that city was taken, the regiment 
proceedeii to Philipi^opolis, thence to embark 
for England; but, before sailing orders ar- 
rived, the war with Persia broke out, and the 
regiment journeyed overland to the Red Sea, 



Soo 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



arriving at Bushire in time to participate in 
the battles of Resliire and Ab El Hamid. 
The Fifth then embarked for Mauritius on 
Her Majesty's transport "Simoon," which, 
when off the coast of Ceylon, struck on a coral 
reef, and quickly went to pieces, three hun- 
dred and fifty lives being lost. With incredi- 
ble strength and endurance Mr. Webb swam 
seven miles, and reached the shore. He was 
shipped on board the "Mount Stuart Elphin- 
stone," and arrived at length in Mauritius. 
Rumors of the Indian mutiny now began to 
take definite shape, and the remnant of the 
Fifth was ordered to Calcutta. Proceeding up 
the Ganges River to Chinsura, they disarmed 
two regiments of native infantry, and at Bhag- 
alpur met with similar success. Farther up 
the river they were signalled by Major Eyre's 
detachment of artillery, who had met the en- 
emy and had been defeated by them in am- 
bush. The fresh troops, consolidating with 
the artillery, met the mutineers drawn up in 
line of battle; and after an hour and a half of 
sharp fighting the British were victorious. 
The Fifth was the first regiment to carry 
Enfield rifles into India; and their skir- 
mishers were able at eight hundred yards to 
drop the enemy. With the superior skill and 
courage of trained troops, they totally defeated 
the mutineers and took sixty prisoners, whom 
they hung that night. This engagement was 
called the battle of Arrah. At Buxar the 
victorious troops re-embarked and proceeded 
to Allahabad, where they joined Havelock's 
forces, and with them pressed on to Cawn- 
pore, about which and Lucknow centred the 
attention of both British and mutineers. 
About twelve hours before the arrival of the 
re-enforcements there had occurred in Cawn- 
pore, under Nana Sahib, one of the most hor- 
rible massacres ever known, only four men out 
of four hundred and fifty persons escaping to 
tell the tale. Nana Sahib escaped across the 
river just as Havelock's troops came up. 
The first thing to meet the eyes of the Eng- 
lish was the "slaughter-house," where three 
hundred and fifty-seven women and children 
had btjen butchered. Mr. Webb assisted in 
the sad burial of the bodies, and then with 
the spies helped to discover two or three 
hundred of the leaders and the followers of 



Nana. These sepoys were brought before the 
English army, the artillery was set up, and 
they were shot from the mouths of the cannon. 
On September 20, Havelock, with about two 
thousand two hundred men, started for Luck- 
now, to relieve Sir Henry Lawrence and the 
beleaguered garrison. At Marigunge the 
enemy were drawn up in line of battle, and 
Havelock's forces cut their way through the 
centre of that immense army of fifty thousand, 
and kept on to Bunio Bridge on the river 
Dumree. On tliis march two hundred and 
twenty-three men were killed, six of whom 
were commissioned officers. On entering 
Lucknow, the Fifth Regiment, being the 
right of the line, was first to cross the bridge, 
and lost six hundred and sixty-three ofificers 
and men, and, on reaching the city, was re- 
duced to two hundred and thirty men under 
Major Simmons. Here it was that William 
H. Webb passed his twenty-second birthday. 
The next morning they advanced on the rear 
of the troops of the enemy, and made it possi- 
ble for the remainder of Havelock's forces to 
come through. On September 25, 1857, they 
entered the residency, and found the rem- 
nants of the Thirty-second Infantry, Captain 
Oliphant's battery, and about two hundred 
and fifty women and children. The siege 
lasted four months; and during that time the 
besieged subsisted on four ounces of rice a 
day, and day and night kept their rifles loaded 
by their sides, ready, waking or sleeping, for 
the call to duty. After a while the enemy 
began to fire upon the hospital. The general 
gave orders that the firing must be silenced, 
and detailed Major Simmons for the duty, 
The Major, taking the forlorn hope, composed 
of fifty volunteers of his own regiment, Mr. 
Webb being one of the number, proceeded 
along till they came to the street facing the 
battery; and they gave the order to the rear 
rank to take the left side of the street, leaving 
the front rank on the right. The enemy, 
opening a fire of grape, killed every man on 
the right of the street, the brave Major being 
one to fall. The left now charged the battery, 
and killed nearly every man at the guns, spik- 
ing the battery. From now on Lucknow was 
surrounded by over one hundred thousand 
mutineers, being re-enforced from Delhi, who 




Thomas E. Hastings. 
^nd daughter, jennie mabel. 



BIOGRA FH IC A I. R EV I K\V 



'^o^ 



constantly fin-d ujioii the town; and every day 
the hope of the little band inside grew more 
desperate. Each day the tjuards listened for 
the boom of the relief army. The women 
climbed the walls, where it was safe, and 
gazed earnestly across the plains, where help 
would first appear. At length, on January 
26, iS5<S, Mary Brown, a -Scotch girl, known 
in song as "Fair Mllen." ga\x' out the cry 
that she heard the bag|ji])es in the distance 
playing "The Campbells are coming." .Sir 
Colin Campbell, afterward Lord Clyde, ar- 
rived at the city with his Sutherland High- 
landers and others on jaiuuiry 27; and that 
verv night General Havelock dietl of dysen- 
tery, and worn out with privation. Mr. Webb 
was in the rear of the retreat from C'awnpore 
with the garrison, and received a bullet 
through the mouth. The British trooi)s con- 
tinued to pursue the mutineers, and at one 
time Mr. Webb rode eight hundred miles in 
ten days on the back of an elephant. 

May 16, i860, the Fifth went on board the 
troop ship "Mcgera," at Calcutta, under com- 
mand of Sir Hope Grant, i)roceetled towartl 
China, and at the Pei-Ho River had the first 
engagement with the Chinese, both on land 
and water, capturing all the forts on the river, 
and keeping on to I'ekin, which they also 
captured, and ended the war, Mr. Webb being 
here wounded in the ankle. The homeward 
voyage to luigland from Hong-K()ng was made 
in the ship "Cambodia." and was not without 
incident and peril, the most irksome experi- 
ence of all to Mr. Webb being when, off .St. 
Helena, they were "lying at sea becalmed, 
near the equator, under a boiling sun, with 
scarcely a breath of air." 

The Fifth arrived in ICngland ninety-three 
strong, and was reviewed by the Queen at 
Hyde Park, January i, 1863. each man being 
presented b\- Her Majesty with the " Lucknow 
Medal." When Mr. Webb's commanding 
officer wished him to re-enlist for another ten 
years, Mr. Webb said that he had seen enough 
of war: and he received this answer: "Well, 
if you w^ill go, you must; but you can make 
up your mind, Webb, you will never be shot 
or drowned, but whether you will get hung 
or not I cannot say. G(M)d-by." When in 
Mauritius Mr. W'ebb. then a Corporal, was 



placed as guard o\er a Dutch murderer; 
but his prisoner escaped his guard, jumped 
overboard, and was drcnvned. Mr. Webb was 
reduced to the ranks, but was afterward ]jro- 
moted to the rank of -Sergeant. To tell the 
whole story of Mr. \Vebl)'s military career 
would be to give a history of the Oime.in anrl 
Persian campaigns, the Indian mutiny, and 
the China campaign of i860. His memory 
of places and events is remarkable, including 
a long list of battles in which he was engaged, 
besides those mentioned above. 

After lea\ing the service he was appointed 
W'arden of Leicester Prison: but that position 
he resigned before long, and in 1865 came to 
this country. He made the voyage in the 
"Harvest Oueen," an old "Black Ball " liner, 
landing on Sejitember 34, 1865, in New York, 
and from there came to l^nadilla. Here he 
worked at farming and railroading for a time, 
and then Ijought a farm in Masonville. This 
he finally sold, and bought the one where he 
now^ resides. Mr. William H. Webb and 
Harriet Deacon, daughter of John and Eliza- 
beth (.'Mien) Deacon, e^f South Kilsworth. 
England, were married in St. (ieorge's Church 
at Leicester, May 24, 1864. They have two 
children: Harriet Emma, born in L'nadilla: 
and Florence Ella, born in Masonville. Mr. 
Webb is a useful and' highly respected citizen, 
has held several offices of trust, serving ac- 
ceptably for some years as Justice of the 
Peace. 



(bJI HOMAS ]:LLI0TT HA.STIXGS, the 
It oldest business man in Bovina Centre, 
Delaware County, was born in the 
town of Bovina on the first day of Aiiril. 
1829, and was a son of James M. and I'liza- 
beth (Elliott) Hastings. 

Mr. Elliott's grandfather, John Hastings, 
who was' born in England, came to America, 
and made his home for some years in .Albany, 
where his son James ]\L was born about 1797. 
In 1798 the family removed to the town of 
Bovina. Here thev accjuired some wild land, 
mostly woods, in w^hich bears, wolves, and 
deer abounded, agreeing to pay the rent for it 
in wheat. It was in school district Xo. 14, 
then known as the town of Delhi. The 



S04 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



grandfather cleared a portion of this place, 
which is still owned by the Hastings family, 
built a log house, and became an innkeeper as 
well as a farmer. It was not till 1813, dur- 
ing the last war with Great Britain, that the 
town was laid out, the first town meeting 
being held on October 28 of that year. The 
school-house was furnished with fuel by the 
farmers, in proportion to the number of 
scholars sent by their families. Bovina was 
separated from Delhi in 1820. The pioneer 
and his wife were Presbyterian church mem- 
bers. He died at a good old age, leaving 
three sons — James Madison, John, and 
Thomas. John Hastings was killed by the 
fall of a tree which he was hewing down. 
Their brother Thomas Hastings went to 
Texas before its annexation to the United 
States, and fought in the Mexican War, but 
died in Cincinnati, Ohio, on his way home. 
James M. Hastings was brought to Bovina 
by his parents when very young. Here he 
grew to manhood, and here he always lived on 
the same estate, much respected and revered 
with increasing length of days. In all he 
cleared two hundred and fifty acres of its tim- 
ber, and gradually brought the place into 
order for general agriculture, though with 
special reference to dairy work. His wife, 
Elizabeth Elliott, a Scotchwoman, bore him 
four daughters and three sons, of whom five 
are yet alive. One of the daughters, Magda- 
len Hastings, living in Kortright, is the 
widow of James Miller. Janet is the widow 
of Andrew Armstrong, of the town of Andes. 
I'^lizabeth resides in Bovina, the wife of Will- 
iam T. Miller. The two surviving sons are 
Thomas Elliott and his brother, James Ed- 
ward Hastings, who resides on the old home- 
stead. The father lived to a serene old age. 
He was a Republican in politics from the time 
the party started, and had held minor town 
offices; but the mother, who, like her hus- 
band, was a Presbyterian church member, died 
in 1865, having been born with the century. 
James M. Hastings died September 13, 1892, 
lacking three months of his ninety-seventh 
birthday. 

Thomas E. Hastings was born on the home- 
stead, went to the district school, and lived at 
home till 1852, when he was nearly twenty- 



three years of age. Then he took up his resi- 
dence in Bovina Centre, where he opened a 
store for general merchandise, beginning with 
a stock worth only twelve hundred dollars. 
At this time he was in partnership with James 
Elliott. Two years later, in 1854, Mr. El- 
liott sold out to W. D. Telford, and the new 
alliance lasted six years. Then, in i860, 
Mr. Hastings bought Mr. Telford's share, and 
for five years carried on the business alone. 
In 1866 Mr. J. K. Hood joined him, and they 
worked together two years, till 1868. Then 
came another change. This time it was the 
senior partner who sold out to the junior, Mr. 
Hood, Mr. Hastings retiring from trade for 
nearly two years. In 1870 he put up new 
buildings, where he opened a store which he 
carried on till 1893, when he sold out to 
A. T. Doig, who still owns it. There are not 
many older traders than Mr. Hastings in the 
county. Though no longer selling general 
merchandise, he deals in agricultural imple- 
ments, cattle feed, and land fertilizers. In 
all his busy years he never kept a clerk, he 
and his partners preferring to do the work 
themselves; yet in his last year as a store- 
keeper the business amounted to forty thou- 
sand dollars. 

In 1859, at the age of thirty, he was mar- 
ried to Jane S. Blair, a daughter of Peter 
Blair, one of the early settlers of Bovina. 
Mrs. Hastings died at forty-five years of age, 
in 1886, leaving five children, who all re- 
ceived an excellent education. James Blair 
Hastings, born in i860, and a graduate of 
Hamilton College, is a professor in Franklin. 
Elmer Ellsworth Hastings, born in 1862, lives 
in Bovina. He is a graduate of Poughkeepsie 
Business College. William Elliott Hastings 
graduated from the Franklin Institute, and is 
now a clerk in Delhi. Milton Hastings is a 
pupil at the same school. Their sister, Jen- 
nie Mabel Hastings, is at home. Their 
father is a Republican, and was several years 
Town Clerk. He is a reliable Presbyterian, 
as was Mrs. Hastings. Mr. Hastings is never 
without some good story to tell of the early 
days of the town; for he is well informed 
about everything and everybody in town, and 
can narrate the history of four generations. 
As may be seen from this account of him. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIp:\V 



505 




Thomas E. Hastings is a very self-reliant 
man, who might adopt as his own the sayinj; 
of the celebrated author of "Don Ouixote,"" 
"lie is best served who has no occasion to 
put the hands of others at the end of his 
arms." His portrait, with that of his ilaiii;li- 
ter, Jennie Mabel, is a pleasin.ij; accompani- 
ment of this outline sketch of his life. 



i'.oRGK ArCiU.srrs JTDD, a 

much respected citizen, and widel\' 
known as one of the lari;est land- 
owners of Middletown, Delaware County, 
N.Y., is a native of that place, his birth hav- 
ing occurred there August li, 1S25. He is 
the son of Truman and Lucy (Johnson) Judd, 
his paternal grand]iarents being Demas and 
IClizabeth Judd. The grandfather, Demas 
ludd, was born in Schoharie Count)-, and was 
a ]irosperous farmer, a Whig in politics, and 
a soldier of the Revolutionary War. He 
lived to be over eighty years old. his wife 
being eighty-two at the time of her death. 
A family of seven children were liorn to this 
worthy couple; namely, Demas, Hamilton, 
Parmalee, Anthony, Marena, IMarvin, and 
Truman. The last named, father of .Augus- 
tus, was born .April ,30, iSoo. . He learned 
the art of dressing cloth, and found employ- 
ment in Halcottsville, in Woodstock, Ulster 
County, Olive, Greene County, and various 
other places. At last he liought a farm for 
himself at Red Kill, now owned by George 
G. Kelly. This he greatly improved, and 
sold within five years, moving to another farm 
about a mile away. After residing here some 
years, he bought a farm in Lexington, Greene 
County, and lived there ten years. During 
this time he lost his wife, who died at the age 
of seventv. .Since leaving Lexington, he has 
resided in Ikishnellville, Ulster County, and 
has now attained the remarkable age of ninety- 
four. He is a Republican in ]H)litics, and is 
held in high esteem by his fellow-townsmen, 
who, during his active career, called upon him 
to fill several town offices. His wife was 
Lucy, daughter of Luther Johnson, a Revolu- 
tionary patriot and soldier. Their family of 
seven children inherited the sterling qualities 
of their ancestors, both in independence of 



mind and jjusiness ability, each rearing a fam- 
ily, whose respective members were in their 
turn prominent and valuable citizens in the 
localities where tiiey settled. Tiiey were as 
follows: ICmily, who married I'^li Jenkins, 
and dieil, leaving five children; G. Augustus; 
Demas, who cliose for his wife Caroline (jar- 
rison, anil removed to Minnesota, and had a 
family of eight children; Ivlizabeth, who he- 
came the wife of Henry G. Cartright, removed 
with her husband to Illinois, and is the 
mother of four children; William, who set- 
tled in Athens, (ireene County, X.Y., and 
married Hannah Winter, and has one child; 
Truman, who took to wife Margaret Mabce, 
and lives in Hushnellville, having two chil- 
dren: Lucv A., who married James Sharp, 
and went to Illinois, and has two children. 
G. Augustus Judd grew to manhood in his 
native town. (3f the first three hundred dol- 
lars he earned he lust two hundred by the 
faihn-e of his employer; but, not discouraged, 
he kept on in the path which was to lead to 
success. He began business for himself at 
the age of nineteen, farming and dealing in 
cattle and horses, for which he found a market 
in Dutchess County, but finally buying a farm 
at Red Kill. This w^as the beginning of his 
investments in real estate and in the accumu- 
lation of property, in which he has since been 
so successful. After buying and selling vari- 
ous farms, his operations extending over a 
period of fifty years, he is now the owner of 
one thousand acres of land, most of which is 
highly cultivated and improved. This he 
has accomplished by enterjirise, industry, and 
good management. 

November 5, 1884, he married \ancy J. 
Osterhoudt, tlaughter of Solomon and Nancy 
Ann (Bookhoudt) Osterhoudt. Her father, 
Solomon Osterhoudt, was born in Woodstock, 
Ulster County, N.Y., and was engaged in the 
clothing business at ClovesviUe, Delaware 
County, \.V. He married Nancy Ann. 
daughter of John Bookhoudt, one of the first 
settlers of Roxbury, and the father of nine 
children, by name James, Margaret. Sarah, 
Sidney. Anthony W., .\ugusta, Jackson, 
Albert, and Nancy Jane. The maternal 
grandmother of Mrs. Judd. Nancy .Ann Book- 
houdt, was born in Ireland. 



So6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Mr. and Mrs. Judd have two children: Har- 
old O., born April lo, 1888; and A. Hillis, 
born November 2, 1891. Mr. Judd is a 
prominent man in Middletown, and highly 
esteemed for his personal qualities. He has 
lived an industrious life, mailing the best of 
his opportunities; and his example is worthy 
of emulation by the rising generation. His 
home is at Griffin's Corners, where he lives a 
retired life. He takes an interest in politics, 
and is a warm supporter of the Republican 
party. In his religion he is liberal in his 
views, taking little interest in dogmatic the- 
ology, but striving so to live as to have a 
conscience "'void of offence toward God and 
man." 



rOSEPH DARROVV, a much respected 
farmer of Hancock, Delaware County, 
N.Y., was born December 2, i8i8, at 
Cannonsville, in the adjoining town of 
Tompkins. His father, Ebenezer Darrow, a 
descendant of an old family who were among 
the first settlers of New England, was born in 
New London, Conn., and followed the trade 
of carpenter and joiner in Cannonsville and 
vicinity, having here located his home early 
in the nineteenth century. He married 
Electa Lowrey, daughter of Memucan Low- 
rey. Her father was also a carpenter and 
joiner, who followed that occupation all his 
days, and whose family were pioneers of the 
town of Tompkins, coming there from Con- 
necticut about the year 1800. Ebenezer Dar- 
row died in early manhood, leaving his wife 
with four children, .namely : Joseph, the sub- 
ject of this sketch; Nancy, who married Nel- 
son Chamberlin, of Cannonsville; Catherine, 
who is unmarried, and since their mother's 
death has kept house for her brother Joseph ; 
and Caroline, who married William LaBarr, 
of Hancock, Delaware County, and moved 
to Belvidere, Boone County, 111. Mr. and 
Mrs. LaBarr have two children: Bradley B., 
a hardware and stove dealer in Belvidere, who 
married a Miss Jones, of the same town; and 
Ella, who married a Mr. Cleveland, also a 
resident of Belvidere, 111. 

Joseph Darrow was educated at Cannons- 
ville, and first worked in saw-mills, spending 



a part of his time farming for Daniel Cham- 
berlin, of that town, the brother of Nelson 
Chamberlin. Joseph's mother married for a 
second husband Solomon Jones, of Hancock, 
and removed to the Jones homestead, which 
Joseph afterward bought from the heirs of his 
step-father. After Mr. Jones's death, in the 
spring of 1845, Joseph went to Hancock to 
work the farm for his mother. When not 
farming, much of his time was spent on the 
river, working as raftsman and steersman for 
Marvin Wheeler, then the most extensive 
lumber dealer in this section. He has been 
through many perilous adventures on the 
river, the Delaware raftsmen being noted far 
and wide as a hardy and brave class of men. 
Often in the roughest weather he was obliged 
to make the return journey from Philadelphia 
on foot, sometimes walking fifty miles in a 
day, carrying his purchases on his back. 
But in spite of these hardships he is now 
hale and hearty, and is highly esteemed by all 
who know him. Unmarried, he lives with 
his sister on the farm which he has won by his 
untiring industry. The natural beauty of his 
estate, which is pleasantly situated on the 
river, has been greatly increased by tasteful 
cultivation. 



/^JeORGE G. KELLY is the enterpris- 
\ 3 I ing and prosperous proprietor of a 
^-"^ five-hundred-acre farm on Batavia 
Kill, in the town of Roxbury. His grand- 
parents were Edmond and Lovina (Liscomb) 
Kelly, the former of whom during the early 
part of his life worked on a farm in Putnam 
County. When the Revolutionary War broke 
out, he took up arms and went forth to the de- 
fence of his home and his country. Edmond 
Kelly served through the struggle for Anier: 
ican independence, and then, with what 
worldly effects they could bring, plunged into 
the wilderness with his little family, and at 
length, after a long and toilsome march 
through the thick, entangled forests, infested 
with wild beasts, they reached what is now 
known as Roxbury. Four or five other fami- 
lies only were settled, so that they had to cope 
with the rough, rude forces of nature almost 
alone. The rifle and the axe were equally 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



S07 



bout 



!•: 



necessary while Mr. Kelly was erectinj,' his 
first log house for the proteetion of his family. 
Often at night the stealth)- step of the prowl- 
ing panther could be heard as he made the 
rounds of the little cabin. Game was so 
plentiful that they lived for weeks on the flesh 
of deer and bears, and on the fine trout which 
swarmed in the brooks. Mr. Kelly was an 
indefatigable worker, a man of great energ\', 
with an iron constitution. Politicall)'. he 
was a Whig. He and his wife were both 
deeply religious. They were members of an 
old-school Baptist church, and brought uj) 
their ten children in that faith. These chil- 
dren were: Charles, William, Abigail. Amv, 
Martin, ICzekiel, .Susan, lulmond, jr., 
rhomas, and Hannah. lulmoncl Kell\- lived 
to the age of eighty-six, and his wife t<i ;i 
the same age. 

Martin Kelly was the second son of 
mond, and was the father of George (i. Kelly. 
Martin was born in Putnam Count)-, and came 
West with his father, sharing tlie hardships, 
and afterwaril the blessings of the pioneer 
home. He assisted his father on the farm, 
and, when the opportunity came, worked for 
others and saved his earnings. When he was 
old enough, .he bought his father's farm and a 
piece of an adjoining one in addition. Martin 
had had some educational advantages in a dis- 
trict school, and he supplemented what he 
had there learned with so jutlicious a course of 
reading that he became a well-informed man. 
He had good business ability, his agricultural 
methods were the best, and he obtained excel- 
lent crops from his fields. 

Martin Kelly married Alvira .Stewart, who 
lived in Pennsylvania. She bore him eight 
children — lulmond, Julia Ann, .Syrenus, 
Stewart. Anna, Ezekicl, George G., and 
Abigail. As he had become very well-to-do, 
Martin sold the farm to his son. ICdmond 1,., 
and moved to Griffin's Corners, where he lived 
a quiet life. He was a Republican, and held 
the offices of Supervisor and Constable of the 
town of Roxbury. Both Mr. and .Mrs. Martin 
Kelly followed their earlv training, and were 
loyal members of the old-school HajUist 
church. 

George G. Kelly was born March i8, 1S36, 
at Red Kill, on the farm now owned by K. L. 



Kelly. He received a good education at th<- 
Red Kill flistrict school, and worked at home 
till he was of age. Then he w(jrked for v.-iri- 
ous people for six years. When he was 
twenty-seven, he purchased two hundred and 
seventy acres of land in Middlclown. When 
he had owned this place but a short time, h<- 
was offered a price much higher than what he 
had paid for it. and accordingly he sold <,ut 
and bought one hundred and ninety-six acres' 
near Griffin's Corners, owned by John Book- 
hout. Here he li\-ed twenty years and ten 
months, [Hitting uj) sul)stantial buildings and 
making wise improvements. Finally he sold 
that estate, and bought his present splendid 
farm of five hundred acres on Batavia Kill, 
near the jiost-office of Denver. He has 
greatly improved this farm since it came into 
his possession, and it is an interesting place 
to visit. It is well stocked, well watered, 
and well cultivated. Mr. Kellv keeps 
seventy-five milch cows, and has large anfl 
roomy barns and several other buildings. 
His house is beautifully located, facing the 
valley, commanding a wide vista of the neigh- 
boring farm lands. 

At the age of twenty-seven Mr. Kelly was 
united in marriage with Susan Carman, 
daughter of Richard and Sally (Covell) Car- 
man, who came from l-'ishkill on the Hudson. 
The Carmans were of I-jiglish descent. Mrs. 
Carman was a tiaughter of .Samuel and Eleanor 
Covell. Samuel Covell was born on Cape 
Cod. October 15, 1779. He died April 15. 
1852. His wife Eleanor was born March 1. 
1783, and died August 4, 1859. They had 
seven children Edwin, I-'lecta, Caroline, 
Priscilla, Amanda, Mary, and .Sally. Mr. 
and Mrs. George Kelly have four sons, as fol- 
lows: Derwood B. Kelly married Ida John- 
son, lives at Griffin's Corners, and has one 
child. Delvern H.. a farmer, married Xettie 
Hinckley, and lives in Middletown. Ward 
Kelly lives at home, is a wide-awake, ca))able 
young man. and a great help to his father. 
Cornelius, named for his mother's brother, 
also lives at home, and is still in school. 

Mr. George G. Kelly is a Republican. He 
is an A.ssessor of the town, and has always 
been active in politics, and interested in the 
welfare of the community. He is hale and 



So8 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 






hearty, and, as he has inherited a sound consti- 
tution, will no doubt live to a good old age, 
respected and beloved by his friends and 
fellow-citizens. 




I'llRAIM 1)AXI1:L l\h KKNNA, M.D., 
a successful medical practitioner of 
Walton, is a man of strong mental 
■ calibre, well endowed by nature with the tal- 
"ents requisite to make him a leader among 
men. He was born and reared among the 
picturesque scenery of the Green Mountain 
State, his birth having occurred in the town 
of Goshen, Addison County, Vt., April 8, 
i860. He is the scion of an ancient Scotch 
family, and the son of John McKenna, who 
was born in Canada in 1825. 

John McKenna left his Canadian home 
when a small boy, and grew to manhood in 
Brandon, Vt., receiving his education in the 
public schools. In 1851 he was united in 
L. marriage with Miss Mary Hooker, a daughter 

of Daniel and Sarah (Joy) Hooker, the latter 
being a life-long resident of Vermont. Mr. 
Hooker was born in Massachusetts; and when 
a young man he removed to Goshen, Vt., 
where he was one of the very earliest settlers, 
and built the first framed house erected within 
the town limits. Thirteen children were born 
to him and his wife; and eleven of these grew 
to maturity, the following being their record: 
Daniel, who settled in Goshen, married a dis- 
tant relative, Fannie Hooker, of Cattaraugus 
County, New York. Thomas, who remained 
single, died in Goshen. Joseph, now a resi- 
dent of Goshen, married a Michigan lady. 
Heman, who enlisted as a soldier in the late 
Rebellion, is supposed to have been killed in 
battle. Rebecca, the wife of Nathan Capen, 
who has held the office of Town Clerk in 
Goshen for the past fifty years, died in that 
place. Sally is the wife of Noah Bisbee, of 
Brandon, Vt. Levina married Stillman Jones, 
for many years a hotel-keeper in West Roch- 
ester, Vt., but now a resident of LeRoy, Mo. 
Jane is the wife of Riley Blodgett, of Roches- 
ter, Vt. Susan, the wife of James Washburn, 
a farmer, lives in Goshen. Laura died in 
early womanhood, unmarried. Mary is the 
wife of Mr. McKenna. 



Mr. antl Mrs. McKenna have spent their 
many years of wedded life in the towns of 
Goshen and Sudbury, Vt., and are highly 
esteemed citizens. Five children besides the 
Doctor have been born to them, as follows: 
Mary J., the wife of Albert Sumner, a pros- 
perous farmer, resides in Brandon, Vt. Annis 
R. is the wife of the Rev. M. M. Mills, 
a Baptist minister in South Otselic, N.Y. 
Rev. Erwin J., pastor of the Union Square 
Baptist Church, Somerville, Mass., married 
Frankie Jordan, of Newburg, N.Y. Frank 
J., a railway postal clerk, running from Kan- 
sas City to Council Grove, Kan., married 
Alice Smith, of Tola, Kan. Thomas J., a 
graduate of the Boston School of Pharmacy, is 
at present in the drug business with C. F. 
Browne at Beverly, Mass. 

Dr. McKenna received his collegiate educa- 
tion at Colgate University, in Hamilton, 
N.Y. Having decided to adopt the profes- 
sion of medicine, when twenty-two years of 
age he became a student in the office of Dr. 
L. Haseltine, of Brandon, Vt. In 1885 and 
1886 he attended two courses of lectures at 
the Albany Medical College, and subsequently 
continued his studies in the University of 
Vermont, at Burlington, receiving his di- 
ploma from that institution in 1887. Dr. 
McKenna then took an examination at Belle- 
vue Hospital Medical College, in New York 
City, and there received a diploma. He very 
soon after began his professional career in the 
town of Hamden, in this county, where he 
remained until September, 1893, when he 
came to W^alton. He has here gained an 
extensive patronage, and has earned a reputa- 
tion for professional skill of which a much 
older physician might well be proud. He is 
a man much esteemed in the medical frater- 
nity, and is a valued member of the Delaware 
County Medical Society. He is a prominent 
member of the First Baptist Church of Wal- 
ton. In politics the Doctor is a stanch sup- 
porter of Grover Cleveland, for whom he cast 
his first Presidential vote. He is a member 
of the Walton Lodge of A. F. & A. M. In 
1 89 1 he was a candidate for the office of 
County Coroner, running against a Republican 
majority of one thousand five hundred, and in 
the unequal contest went so far ahead of his 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



509 



ticket that he cut clown the majority to one 
hundred and forty-three votes, showing; in a 
most cmpliatic manner his popuhuily in this 
section of the county, lie is now Ileaitii 
Ofificer of Walton. 

Dr. McKenna was marriecl on I'ebruarv 23, 
18S7, to Miss Mary Iraver, the daui;htc-r ol 
Alvah Traver, a well-i<nown attorney of Trov, 
N.Y. Their pleasant home has been i)ri,i;ht- 
cned and cheered in- the birth of two win- 
some children, namely: Morence, born 
September 29, 1888; and Jessie, born Aui;ust 
12, 1890. 



of Postmaster for four years. He is energetic 
ami industrious, and enjoys well-deser\e(l 
prosperity, being held in high regard by all 
who know him. 



"irA.-WlD G. jr:NKIXS, a prosperous 
|p=^ and well-known farmer of Ihiion 
^. X^y (jro\-e in the town of Antics, was 
born in Roxbury, in the eastern part 
of Delaware County, March 26. 1845, son of 
James and Mary (Garrison) Jenkins. He was 
born on the old home farm, and remo\ed when 
four years of age to Andes, where he grew to 
manhood, anil was educated in the common 
schools of the town. When twenty years of 
age he began lumbering, cutting timber for 
the manufacturers. He subsequently bought 
a farm located one mile from the river on 
Barkerboom Creek, where he erected build- 
ings, cleared his land, and engaged in dair\- 
ing. He now keeps thirteen fine Jersey cows, 
his dairy being one of the best in the vicinity. 
In 1863 he married Julia M. Hanmer, l)y 
whom he has had nine chiklren, namely: 
l''lmer R., who was born Jatuiary 17, 1865; 
Egbert P., who was born May 29, 1S67, and 
died April 27. 1871 ; Ada I., who was born 
January 15, 1870, and married George P. 
Doolittle, of Meischmanns, Middletown; I^va 
C, who was born October 15, 1872: Maggie 
M., who was born February 11, 1875: Mary 
1".., who was born May 5, 1879: J. Garfield, 
who was born August 14, 1881; I.aur.i H., 
who was born December 15, 1S84; and Bertha 
\'., who was born October 3, 1887. Mrs. 
Jenkins is a (laughter of Robert M. Hanmer, 
whose sketch is given elsewhere in this vol- 
ume. She and her husband are members of 
the Baptist church. Mr. Jenkins is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and was Collector of the 
town for one term, and has also held the office 



rm. 



i:oR(ii'; s. .\.\DRi;\\s, 



an enter- 



\\^ I l)risingand highly intelligent farmer, 
has resiiled for fift\-four years on 
llamden Hill, in the town of llamden. Dela- 
ware County, N.\'. He comes of good old 
New l-^ngland stt)ck, being a grandson of .Sam- 
uel Andrews, who was born in P'airlield, 
Conn., about 1766, and married lilizabeth 
Marion, also of Connecticut. Thirteen chil- 
dren, eleven sons and two daughters, were the 
fruit of their union. One daughter died at 
the age of twelve; but all the other members 
of this large family lived to marry and have 
children of their own. One son, in fact, still 
survives, Benjamin Andrews, aged se\enty- 
two, a coal dealer in Brooklyn, \.\'. .Sam- 
uel Andrews was a small boy at the time of 
the Re\'olution; and in his old age he de- 
lighted the hearts of his children and grand- 
children with exciting tales of those stirring 
days, the burning of his native town bv the 
British, his escape from the redcoats, and 
many equally thrilling adventures which he 
and his parents could vividly remember. He 
tlied at his farm home in Stamford, X.\'., 
where he had been successfully engaged in 
clearing and cultivating the land; but his 
wife lived to reach the adv.mri'il age of 
ninety-six. 

.Andrew .Aiulrews. a son 01 .^anuiel and 
l-'lizabeth, and the father of the subject of 
this biography, was born in .Stamford, April 
9, 1802, and in 1830 marrietl Maria Peak, of 
Hamden, who became the mother of six chil- 
liren, three sons and three daughters, all of 
whom, with the exception of George -S., have 
passed away. One of the daughters, Docia 
Ann, lived until her thirty-sixth \ear. 
Joseph, a son, died unmarried in 1872, aged 
forty years. Daniel B., also unmarried, 
served one year as a soldier in the Civil W;ir. 
and passed away when forty-five years of age, 
in 1884. Del'ia A., wife of ' William F. 
Close, died July 23, 1S84, in her forty-first 
year. Hannah, the third daughter, lived to 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



reach her sixty-second year, dying March 3, 
1893. Mrs. Andrews died January 29, 1859, 
when fifty-five years of age, her husband out- 
living her many years and dying in Hamden, 
May 23, 1894, at the advanced age of ninety- 
two. Parents and children sleep side by side 
in the cemetery at Hamden Hill, resting in 
peace after lives of faithful toil. 

George S. Andrews was born in Hamden in 
1835, and here attended the district school, 
which he afterward taught for four terms. He 
enlisted in 1864 in the One Hundred and 
Forty-fourth New York Volunteers, Company 
C, and served until the close of the war, when 
he was discharged from the general hospital 
at Hilton Head, S.C., June 15, 1865. On 
April 25, 1865, Mr. Andrews married Miss 
Eunice Ellis, of Hamden, daughter of Miles 
and Ann (Van Akin) Ellis, both of Middle- 
town, Delaware County. Mrs. Andrews was 
one of nine children, of whom all have passed 
away except herself and her brother, Elijah 
Ellis, of Harpursville, Broome County. 
Miles Ellis was a volunteer in the Civil War, 
during which he died of fever, in 1864, aged 
forty-five years, his death being followed by 
that of his wife three months later. Mr. An- 
drews's first farm consisted of one hundred 
and thirty acres, which he bought in 1866 of 
Ely Kent. Besides that he now owns the old 
home farm of two hundred and ten acres. He 
carries on a finely appointed dairy, keejoing 
fift\- cows, grade Jerseys, and manufacturing 
superior butter for the market. 

Mr. Andrews is a Republican of firm [jarty 
principles, and has held the position of Asses- 
sor for nine years. He is an active member 
of Bryce Post, Grand Army of tlie Republic, 
of Hamden, of which organization he is 
now serving his second term as Commander. 
Judicious in the outlay of money for improve- 
ments, energetic and industrious, he deserves 
the success won by his unwearied labors and 
strictly honorable di.-alings. 



:AM H. SH-LIMAN, who owns the 
.Silliman homestead in West settle- 
ment, is the grandson of Eben 
Silliman, who came in 1810 from 
Fairfield, Conn., to Delaware County, and 




settled in the town of Stamford, where he 
bought a tract of some hundred and fifty or 
two hundred acres, and laid it out for a farm. 
The neighbors among whom Mr. Silliman 
cast his lot proved very pleasant, and the best 
of feeling and the most cordial relations were 
kept up. Mr. Silliman used to tell how he 
became accjuainted with .Seth L\on. He lost 
his pocket-book while surveying his new land; 
and Mr. Lyon, finding it, immediately hunted 
him up, and in a pleasant, cordial manner 
restored it to him. This little incident was 
the beginning of a firm friendship. Mr. Sil- 
liman lived prosperously and well on his Stam- 
ford farm all his life. His wife, whose name 
was Anna Gould, bore him ten children — 
Eben, Jonathan, Abraham, Benjamin, Daniel, 
Alexander, Anna, Catherine, Caroline, and 
Ellen. Mr. Eben Silliman"s death was a 
great shock to his people. It occurred in this 
manner. He was painting a building, when 
he lost his balance and fell, striking on a 
picket fence. He was so lacerated and 
bruised by the paling that the accident was 
fatal. Mr. Silliman was a Whig, and a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian church. 

Alexander Silliman, whose name is sixth 
in the above list of the children of Eben, was 
born in Fairfield, Conn., April 29, 1806, and 
came to Delaware County when he was but 
four years of age. He received a scanty edu- 
cation at school, though he afterward became 
a well-informed man by proper use of his 
opportunities. At maturity he came into 
possession of the Silliman estate; but after 
a short period he decided to sell this property, 
and move away. This he accomplished Feb- 
ruary 5, 1837. He worked farming for a 
little while, and then went to Michigan, pros- 
pecting. He soon returned and bought a farm 
of one hundred acres in the town of Jefferson, 
Schoharie County. Here he lived for ten 
years, working on the land and getting good 
crops. Then he came back to Roxbury, and 
bought the present homestead of two hundred 
acres, one hundred acres of which he pur- 
chased of J. Collins, and the other hundred of 
E. D. Hunter. This land under a system of 
skilful and thorough cultivation has yielded 
very gratifying results. The place has been 
improved by additional buildings and altera- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



5" 



tioiis in those already staiuliiii;'. A part oi 
the present thvcl ling-house was built in 1795. 
and is still in i;oo(l condition. Here Mr. Sil- 
linian lived until shortly before his death, 
whicli occurred on August 11, 1882. at the 
age of seventy-si.\. 

Mr. .Alexaniier Silliman was in his early 
tlays a Whig, iDut later he became a Democrat. 
He married Lucy Montgonier_\-, who died 
August 13, 1854, at the age of forty-tix'e. 
Like his father, Ale.xander had ten children. 
His daughter Louise was born December 22, 
183J, and died Xovember 2~, 1865. at the age 
of thirt\-two. Mary, who is still living, was 
born December 24, 1834; and .Angeline (de- 
ceased) was born March 18, 1837. Ro.xanna 
was born May 18. 1839, and died February 
26, 1872. Hiram, the subject of this history. 



was born Octobei 



1841. William was 



born January 6, 1844. Hetty was born July 
25, 1846, and lived till November 7, 1874. 
Ella L. was born ^Klrch 13. 1848, and died in 
her thirty-fifth year. Harriet was born on 
the 13th of April, 1850. I'.mma J. was born 
July 24, 1854. 

Hiram II. Silliman was born in Jefferson, 
Schoharie County, in the same year in which 
his father came to Roxburv. The family hail 
been left behind until the niw home should 
be in readiness, and it was while they were 
waiting that Hiram was liorn. He received 
a good education in the district schocd. At 
twenty-five lie bought the old homestead from 
his father, and began the management of the 
farm, which has steadily grown in value and 
productiveness, vear by year the abundant 
crops bearing testimony to intelligent and 
faithful work. On January 5, 1869, Mr. Sil- 
liman was united in matrimon\' with Ruth 
Keator, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Kea- 
tor, who lived at Batavia Kill. Mr. Keator 
was born in 1800, and lived to the age of 
sixty-nine years. His father was one of the 
earliest settlers. Mrs. Silliman had twelve 
brothers and sisters. Mr. and Mrs. Silliman 
have two sons. The elder, Charles H., born 
June 25, 1871, married Carrie Conrovv, daugh- 
ter of .Stephen Conrow, of Gilboa, Schoharie 
County, and is a Congregational minister in 
Friendship, Allegan}' County. The younger, 
Xorman K., was born April 21, 1875. 



Mr. and Mrs. .Silliman ha\e a \ers jjleasanl 
home, situated at the very head of the valie) 
in the West settlement. He is a Democrat in 
politics, and has been .Assessor of the town 
for two terms, and Trustee of Schools for 
about twenty years, besides holding other 
public positions of trust and respnnsii)ilit\-. 
Mr. Silliman is a member of Cieur de Lion 
Lodge. No. 571, A. I'. & A. M.. which he 
joined on January 6, 1866, bein- one of tiie 
first members. He is widely and favorabh' 
known as a ])ractical antl successfid farmer. 



'UHN S. Willi 1;, a successful business 
man and po])ular citizen of Downsville, 
was born in the town of Colchester, 
June 28, 1834, a son of Peter \'. G. 
and Charlotte (Sutton) White. He is a 
grandson of Benjamin and Lovince Sutton, 
whose genealogy may be found in the biog- 
raphy of Ik'ujamin Sutton, Jr., of Trout 
Creek. He grew to manhood on his father's 
faim. and was educated in the public schools 
of the town. When a young man, he \isited 
his uncle, John White, in Ohio, and there 
engaged in agricultural i)ursuits, later taking 
charge of his uncles farm of one hundred and 
thirty-two acres, on whicii new buildings 
were being erected. In i860 he made a visit 
to his native town, and was there united in 
marriage to Mar\- K. Radeker. Returning 
with his wife to Ohio, Mr. White again as- 
sumed the management of the farm of his 
uncle John, and cared for him and his aunt 
until they died, when he sold their farm and 
removed to Delaware Count)', settling in 
Downsville. Here he purchased property in 
the village, one hundred and seventy-seven 
acres of farm land outside the town, and 
eighty acres of timber land. 

Mrs. John S. White is a daughter of Will- 
iam H. and Jane (C'ampbell) Radeker, biog- 
raphies of whom are given idsewhere in this 
volume. She and her husband have one son, 
Horton \'. (i. White, who was born March 
28, 1S68. He received his elementary edu- 
cation in the scliools of Downsville. and later 
attended Walton Acailemy, and graduated at 
Eastman's Business College, I'oughkeepsie. 
He married Alice Kater. In company with 



512 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



his son, Mr. White started a hardware store 
at East Branch, Delaware County, of which 
they are still the proprietors, Morton taking 
charge and doing the active husiness of the 
firm. They deal extensively in hardware and 
agricultural implements, and their store is 
one of the hest in the town. 

Mr. John S. White has been Town Clerk 
for three terms. He is liberal in religious 
views, and is highly esteemed throughout the 
community for his business ability, integrity, 
and sound judgment. 



(51 HEOPHILUS F. McINTOSH, editor 
* I and proprietor of the Delaware Repub- 
lican, one of the leading papers of the 
county, has exercised a marked influence on 
the affairs of this section of New York as a 
progressive, public-spirited citizen, having 
aided in guiding its political destiny as well 
as in promoting its interests materially, so- 
cially, and morally. Mr. Mcintosh is the 
representative of a well-known family, and 
comes of sterling Scotch ancestry. He was 
born in the town of Kortright, near Bloom- 
ville, November 30, 1829. His father, 
George Mcintosh, was born in the same town, 
and was a son of Simon Mcintosh, whose 
father emigrated from Scotland, and was a 
pioneer of Dutchess County. After attain- 
ing manhood, Simon Mcintosh served as a 
militia man in the war of the Revolution, 
and, subsequently coming to this county as 
a pioneer, leased land from the Kortright 
Patent, and made this his permanent abiding- 
place. 

George Mclniosh was a life-long resident of 
this county, and held a good position among 
its successful agriculturists. He married 
.Sarah Jaquish, daughter of John Jaquish, a 
native of New Jersey, and the son of a French 
sailor who made visits to the United -States, 
but never settled in America. Mr. Jaquish 
spent the early years of his life in New York 
City, but afterward became an honored resi- 
dent of Delaware County. In the Revolution- 
ary War lie served seven years nine months 
and a' day, being Orderly Sergeant in General 
Poor's brigade, and an active participant in 
the battles of Monmouth, Saratoga, and York- 



town, besides being in many minor engage- 
ments. He also served with General Sullivan 
in his campaign against the Indians. Six 
children were born to George and Sarah (Ja- 
quish) Mcintosh, the following being a brief 
mention: Theophilus F"letcher, the subject of 
this sketch; Perry H., a resident of Chico, 
Cal., unmarried; Delia, who married A. L. 
Hagar, of Hobart, N.Y., and died in 1889, 
leaving no children; Sophronia, the widow of 
Joel B. Carpenter, who resides in Walton, and 
has two children; Walter, who died at the age 
of twenty-five years, twin brother of Olive, 
who married Reuben H. Dart, and now lives 
in Albany, N.Y., with her daughter. 

Theophilus F. Mcintosh acquired his edu- 
cation in the district schools and the printing- 
office, in the latter place gleaning a vast fund 
of general information. In February, 1843, 
being then a sturdy lad of thirteen years, 
and thrown somewhat upon his own re- 
sources, he came to the village of Delhi, 
where he secured the position of "devil" in 
the Ga::ctte printing-office. He worked for 
his board, with an allowance of twenty-five 
dollars a year for clothes, for a period of seven 
years, becoming well versed in the various 
duties of a newspaper office, and an expert in 
the art of printing. With a view to establish- 
ing himself permanently in journalism, he 
next attended school awhile, and then entered 
the Express office as a compositor, remaining 
there four years, during that time serving also 
as Assistant Postmaster of Delhi. The suc- 
ceeding five years Mr. Mcintosh spent in 
Rloomville, working with Mr. Champion on 
the Mirror. While there he met with gratify- 
ing success, and made many warm friends. 
Among other prominent men of the time with 
whom he was brought in contact was the late 
Jay Gould, who was there surveying for a rail- 
road, and who spent most of his leisure time 
in the office of the Mirror. 

In September, 1858, the Rev. C. B. Smyth 
established a paper at Delhi, called Star of 
Dclazoare; and this was published in the J///-- 
;v;- office, Mr. Mcintosh being engaged to do 
the typesetting. In May following he and 
Mr. Smyth purchased a press and material at 
Walton, and, moving it to Delhi, established 
a plant which was the nucleus of the present 




Hlbert p. Minor. 



niOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



T ' ■ 



Ripiiblicaii office, Mr. Sinytli bciiii;- (.-(litdr and 
Mr. Mcintosh tlie publislicr of tlie Sldr of 
Dcltu^'aii\ which was a small, livo-cohinin, 
four-i)ai;c weekly iia|)ei-. In the spring- of 
i860 Alvin Sturtevant and Mr. Mi-lntosh 
forming a copartnership, purclia.sed the plant 
and interest of that paper, and started the 
Delaware Rif^ublicaii, issning the first number 
.May 14, 1860. I-"roni the first the |)aper has 
been strongly Republican in its [lolities, and 
during the Lincoln campaign of that year was 
largely instrumental in arousing the jieople to 
a realizing sense of their duties, and spurring 
on its jiartv to victor\-, its influence being- 
felt throughout this section of the county. 
■ It was then a seven-column, four-page weekh', 
and the third Republican [lap.r of the county. 
In 1864 the Franklin I'lsitor was ])urchased 
and merged into the Kcpiibliciui. The firm of 
Stintevant & Mcintosh continued until 186S, 
when the senior member of the firm disposed 
of his interest to Mr. Joseph l^veland, now 
]5roprietor of the Franklin naiiyniaii. In 
January, 1S69, Mr. Mcintosh became the sole 
{iroprietor of the Republican^ which under his 
management has lost none of its former pres- 
tige, but has steadily gained in strength and 
popularity. Soon after taking ])ossession of 
the Jiaper, he enlarged it by one column; and 
in the spring of 189^ it was changed to a 
nine-column, four-i)age weekl\-, beginning 
with the fii'st number of the present \'olume 
(xxxiv.). 

Mr. Mcintosh has devoted his best energies 
to his W(n'k of making a newspaper that should 
educate its constituency, and kee]) its readeis 
well informed on current topics and the 
affairs of this and other countries. This he 
has accomplished; and the paper is lead far 
and wide, its cii'culation being t nil}' ec|ual to 
that of any other paper in the count}'. Mr. 
Mcintosh, who is a man of un<loubted integ- 
rity and sound convictions, has ser\'ed on the 
Republican County Committee sewral times, 
and been delegate to as many as six .State con- 
ventions, besides numerous comity conven- 
tions, lie was elected County Treasurer in 
i86g for a term of three years, and served so 
satisfactorily that in 1872 he was re-elected 
for another term of three years. During the 
Warner Miller Senatorial contest Mr. Mcin- 



tosh, who was a warm personal friend of Mr. 
Miller, look an active part in the campaign, 
which was conducted in a most aide manner, 
although Mr. .Miller was linally defeated by 
Mr. liiscock. 

Mr. Mcintosh was marrii-d in 1858 to Miss 
I''rances .S. Kinder, a daughter of the Hon. 
Steijhen II. Keek'r, of Hloomville, and a 
gi'anfl-daughter of the lion. Martin Keeler, a 
former Sheriff and Judge of Dtdawaie County, 
and one of the most prominent and inlhiential 
I men of his dav. Into their ple.isant house- 
I hold circle six childii'n have been born, five 
' sons and oni- daughter. Robert I'., the eldest 
I son, is clerk of the town of Delhi, and assists 
his father on the Ripnblicau. ("harles K., a 
railway postal clerk, running between S\-ra- 
cuse and New \'ork Cit\', married Nellie 
Rogers, of .Syracuse: and they have one child, 
Walter. Ilenrx' M., who resides in De.xter, 
Mo., is one of the lirm of {■"risbie & Mcin- 
tosh, lundier dealeis. Cieorge \\'., formerly 
an assistant in the Ripiibliciui office, is now 
with his bidtlier in Missouii. I''rances S., 
who was graduatetl from the Delhi Acad- 
emy, married, and resides at Cazenovia, 
N.Y. And iM-ank !•;. is a student at the 
Delhi Acadcmv. Mr. ;in(l Mrs. Mcintosh 
are held in high ri'gard throughout the large 
circle of their fi'iends and ac(|uaintances. 
Religioush'. tlu\' aie Ixith membt-rs of the 
Methodist Fpisco[)al church, of which he is a 
Trustee. 




'S)f\ I.Hl'^RI 1'. MlXnR. senior member of 
the lirm of ,\. !'. Minor iS: Son, of 
Deposit, N.^'., is the veteran hard- 
war<' (kaler, and one of the princi- 
pal business men of the village. The firm 
has a large trade in stoves, ranges, furnaces, 
paints and oils, agricultural implements, 
barbed wire, builders' and blacksmiths" su[)- 
plies, and other goods. Mr. Minor takes a 
lively interest in all things beneficial to the 
village, antl has aided bv his influence and 
material sup]iort the various ]>ul)lic enterprises 
which have made De])osit a prosjierous and 
thriving ])lace. 

George Minor, father of .Albert P., was 
born in the town of Co\entrv, Chenango 



Si6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



County, and was very well known in Broome 
County, having been in business there when a 
young man. He was twice married. By his 
first wile, Maria L. Wattles, a native of Wal- 
ton, Delaware County. N.Y., the mother of 
our subject, he had two children — Albert V. 
and Lydia M. His second marriage was to 
Ann Eliza Smith, also of Delaware County, 
by whom he had three children : James S., a 
sketch of whom appears elsewhere in tliis 
work; Henrietta; and the sister with whom 
she makes her home, Julia E., wife of Will- 
iam L. Laman, of Coventryville, N.Y. The 
daughter Lydia M. is the widow of Sherman 
Piersol, who was a farmer in Bainbridge, 
N.Y. Mr. George Minor was a very enter- 
prising man, and engaged extensively in the 
lumber business in this county. He bought 
up large quantities to be rafted down the river 
and to the Philadelphia market. Having 
made considerable money in various specula- 
tions, he put it nearly all into rafts of lum- 
ber, which were imfortunately overtaken by an 
immense flood, and lost. The prospective 
profits as figured by him had been very large, 
and the disappointment occasioned by the loss 
of all was great. This disaster interfered 
materially with his subsequent business ca- 
reer; for, being a strictly honest man, he 
could not take any of the advantages resorted 
to by many men under similar circumstances, 
but, as quick as a dollar was secured, it went 
to pay his debts. The money earned by the 
boys not of age was used for the same purpose, 
and to fully meet his obligations was to him 
the work of life. He was able in this respect 
to be satisfied; for, when he died, all debts 
had been fully met, every one of his creditors 
having received one hundred cents on the 
dollar. He died in his seventy-seventh year, 
and no man has ever left a better record for 
straightforwardness and scrupulous integrity. 
Albert P. Minor was born in Coventryville, 
Chenango County, N.Y., January ii, 1830. 
His mother died when he was but nine years 
old. and he was only fifteen when his father 
was overtaken with misfortune. So that early 
in life he was thrown upon his own resources, 
not having the paternal hand and purse to 
assist or the advice and love of a mother to 
encourage and sustain. Having spent the 



first twelve years of his life in Coventryville, 
he came with his father to Deposit, returning 
to his birthplace when fifteen, and, when 
nineteen, coming again to Deposit, to enter 
in good earnest upon the tasks of real life. 
He engaged in a hardware store as clerk for 
Elias Chi Ids, who was doing business on the 
identical spot where his own store is now sit- 
uated. He had received a common-school 
education, supplemented by a brief course of 
study at O.xford Academy in Chenango 
County. He had no practical knowledge of 
business methods; but by diligent applica- 
tion to his work he soon mastered the details, 
and became an efificient and valuable help in 
the store. 

He bad but five dollars in his pocket to 
begin with, and his wages were not large; but 
he managed to save in a few years the sum of 
five hundred dollars. He had by this time 
becomi? so thoroughly conversant with the 
trade that he felt competent to go into busi- 
ness on his own account. Accordingly, in 
1853 he formed a partnership with John M. 
Smith, the style of the firm being Minor & 
Smith. They put in a new stock of goods at 
the old stand, and were successful from the 
first, having a liberal patronage, and realizing 
handsome profits year by year. They con- 
tinued in business together for twenty years, 
and, among other additions to it, had built up 
a carriage manufacturing enterprise, to which, 
upon the dissolution of the partnership, John 
M. Smith succeeded; and Mr. Minor retained 
the hardware and other trade in the store. 
After continuing the business for some years 
under his own name, in the spring of 1888 he 
associated with him his son, Clinton S., the 
style of the firm being then established as it 
now remains. The firm of Mint)r & Smith 
were burned out in 1869, and did business on 
the other side of the street until the comple- 
tion of the Minor Masonic Block, into which 
they moved in the following year. This 
building, which has since been occupied by 
the store, is of three stories, forty-five feet by 
sixty-five, and was erected in 1870 on the spot 
of the old hardware store. 

Mr. Minor was married in 1856 to Emily 
L. Ogden, a daughter of John Ogden, of 
Deposit; and they have one son, Clinton S., 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



S'7 



who is a graduulc of Mastnian's Husincss Col- 
lege at Poughkeepsie, aiul, as above men- 
tioned, the junior member of the firm of 
A. P. Minor & Son. lie was married to Ida 
S. Dean, of Deposit. Albert P. Minor owns, 
besides tlie building where lie does ])usiness, 
a gooil residence property on I'ront .Street anti 
the building now occupied by the Courier 
printing-office, lie and his brother James S. 
arc owners of the Deposit Marble Works. 
He is a member of Deposit Lodge, No. 396, 
A. F. & A. M. He has held 'the office of 
SupL'rvisor, and has long been an active mem- 
ber of the Board of ICducation, having served 
continuously since the grading of the schools 
in 1875. In politics he has been a Republi- 
can since the time John C. Fremont was a 
candidate for the Presidency. 

Mr. Minor has readied his present comfort- 
able position in life by personal effort, and is 
held in universal regard as a man of integ- 
rity, honor, and abilit\'. lie believes the 
Golden Rule to be the sufficient law for the 
conduct of social life, and is disposed to judge 
[icople rather by their acts than by any pro- 
fession the)' may make. He is genial and 
generous, nut given to criticism, but liberal 
in his views, and w^illing that others should 
enjoy that same freedom. A kind neighbor, 
a judicious counsellor and faithful friend, his 
advice is much sought after, especially in 
money matters by widows and orphans. It 
may well be said of him that he has served 
those truly who have put him in trust. 

The publishers of this "Review" are happy 
in being able to present to their readers a 
life-like portrait of this enterprising business 
man and public-spirited citi/.en, w^ho has done 
so much toward making Dejiosit what it is — 
one of the most lively and ]^rosperous villages 
in the Em[Mre State, an important trade cen- 
tre, the seat of pleasant homes and flourishing- 
schools. 




JJS CRO\M<:, a well-known man- 
ufacturer of Grand Gorge, X.Y., 
was born in this place. May 4, 
1855. I'he great-grandfather of Mr. Cronk 
was Lawrence Cronk, who with his wife, 
Nancy Crary, came to New York from Con- 



necticut, and, settling near Grand (jorge, 
carried on one of the earliest taverns in this 
part of the country. He lived to be eighty 
years of age, and was liie father of nine chil- 
dren — John, Hannah, Betsey, Sally, Nathan- 
iel, Fdward, Nathan, Phebe, and Rosela. 
John, the grantlfather of Willis, was born on 
Clay Hill in the town of Roxbury. When 
ready to start out in the world for himself, he 
bought one hundred and twenty-four acres of 
the D. Lee farm, owned by the Dent family. 
.Selling this later, he bought one hundred and 
forty acres near b\-, put up new buildings, 
improved the farm, and here lived until his 
death at forty-four years of age. His wife 
lived to be sixty years of age, and was the 
mother of eight children — Hiram, David, 
Almanran, Harrison, Lawrence J., Fliza J., 
John, and Isaac. John (^ronk was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in 
]jolitics a Whig. 

David Cronk was born on the Dent farm in 
the log cabin which was the family home- 
stead. He. attended the district school until 
thirteen years of age. when he commenced 
working in the tannery of D. Lafrom, his duty 
being to grind the bark for the tanning. He 
afterward was employed by A. Moore in the 
tannery business, and later went west to Ox- 
ford, and for three years drove a stage. Re- 
turning then to Grand (iorge, he worked in 
the tannery business for some months, after 
which, he bought a farm of sixty-four acres 
near the village, and ff)r a while employed his 
time in so improving it that he was enabled 
to sell it to good advantage. After engaging 
in several farming investments, he removed to 
Schoharie Comity, and thence went to Greene 
County, where he dwelt for six years, having 
a farm of three hundred acres, and carrying on 
a large ilairv. Again he came back to Dela- 
ware Count V, and after a short residence here 
bought the house in which he now lives. His 
wife was Frances, daughter of Philip and 
Priscilla (Bangs) Sines, by whom he had 
eight children — Nettie, John, Willis, Addi- 
son, David, Ella, Roma, and Frank. Mrs. 
Cronk died at the age of sixty-three, but her 
husband is still living. He is a Democrat, 
and has held the office of Constable several 
terms. 



Si8 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Willis Cronk was educated in (jrand (Jorge, 
and worked at home on the farm until twenty- 
three years of age, when he began working at 
the carpenter's trade. After two years thus 
employed, he went into the factory of W. P. 
Moore, a manufacturer of sashes and blinds. 
Here he rose to be foreman, and in 1887 
bought out the business. He has enlarged 
and remodelled the factory, and continues 
here engaged, making sashes, blinds, doors, 
mouldings, and other accessories of buildings. 
He has an excellent trade, and all his work is 
done in the best style and with the greatest 
thoroughness. 

When thirty-eight years old, Mr. Cronk 
was married to Jennie West, daughter of The- 
odore West, a carpenter of New Haven. Mr. 
Cronk is a Democrat, and has held several 
minor offices. Notwithstanding his many 
business responsibilities, he has shown him- 
self to be a public-spirited man, who has at 
heart the welfare of his native town. 




"ERMAN F. INDERLIED, of the 
Inderlied Chemical Company at 
Rock Rift, Delaware County, 
N.Y., with his residence at Wal- 
ton, was born at Lienen, Germany, April 12, 
1827, a son of Henry Casper Inderlied, born 
in Newkirchen, (Jermany, and Elizabeth 
Tigges, a native of Lienen. Of their family 
the following-named came to this country: 
Frederick J., who came in 1842, married 
Elizabeth ]5ruisik, and is residing at Orange, 
N.Y. They had five children, namely: Will- 
iam II., who enlisted in the army during the 
Civil War, and died of disease contracted in 
service; Herman 1*"., Andrew, and Frederick 
J., who are still living; George, who is de- 
ceased. Henry Inderlied married Miss Eliza- 
beth Lagemann, and settled in Youngsville, 
N.Y., where he died in 1883. William, who 
was the first to come to the United States, 
married Miss Mary Chittentlen, a native of 
Greene County, New York, and is now a resi- 
dent of North Branch, N.Y. 

Herman F. Inderlied, the subject of this 
sketch, emigrated to America in 1843. He 
was married July 16, 1848, to Miss Rachel 
Kratzer, a native of Germany, who was 



brought by her parents to this country when 
she was but eighteen months old. Mrs. In- 
derlied was a daughter of John Kratzer, who 
first settled in New York City, and later in 
Sullivan County, where he engaged in farm- 
ing. To Mr. and Mrs. Inderlied were born 
the following-named children: William K., 
born September 24, 1849, is a tanner residing 
in Allegany, N.Y. Henry H., born January 
6, 1852, is a prominent merchant of Walton. 
George F"., born May 11, 1854, is now a resi- 
dent of New Milford, I'a. lidward C, born 
December 14, 1856, is in business with his 
father at Rock Rift. Julius J., born July 12, 
1859, is a tanner, and resides in Allegany, 
N.Y. Rachel S., born May 10, 1861, mar- 
ried Morton Wimple, of Thompson, Pa. 
Theodore M., born June 22, 1863, is a shoe 
dealer at Warren, Pa. Charles F., born July 
20, 1865, is a resident of Walton. Oscar K., 
born May 3, 1867, is engaged with the Erie 
Railroad Company. Alfred, born June 5, 
1868, died September 30 of the same year. 
Minnie was born September 25, 1869. 
Lillie, born January 28, 1872, died September 
2, 1872. Mrs. Inderlied died November 3, 
1873, in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. 
Mr. Inderlied married for his second wife 
Mrs. Ida Schneppendahl Bueddemann, a na- 
tive of Germany, who was born April 12, 
1844. 

After his first marriage Mr. Inderlied set- 
tled in Sullivan County, New York, and 
embarked in the tanning business. He re- 
mained there, however, but a short time, 
when he took up farming, continuing at this 
new venture for seven years, after which he 
again went back to his original trade of a tan- 
ner, and was superintendent of a tannery at 
Salladasburg, Pa. After four years he 
moved to North Branch, purchasing his 
brother's interest in a tannery. In 1868 he 
went to Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, 
where he conducted a tannery for twenty-one 
years, during this time doing a large and in- 
creasing business. He came to Walton in 
1889, and has conducted his business here 
ever since. 

When Mr. Inderlied came to this country, 
he had nothing but courage, honesty, and a 
pair of willing hands to start out in the battle 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



,''9 



of life. He has now liy hard work and econ- 
omy amassed a comfortable property, and 
to-day ranks as one of the most prosperous 
business men in the county. In politics he is 
a stanch supporter of the Republican jiarty. 
He has never sought any office, but is well 
posted in all county and State matters. Mr. 
Inderlied is an attendant of the Congrega- 
tional church. l-'raternally, he is a member 
of Walton Lodge, No. 559, A. K. & A. M. 
In 1890 he erected a residence which is a 
great acquisition to the man)- tine dwellings 
in Walton. 

Mr. Inderlied has been the architect of his 
own fortune; and, when once he has put his 
hand to the plougli, he has never turned back. 
His success in life is an object lesson to the 
younger generation. 



<TISA.\C .S. HOOKllorr, one of Dela- 
HJ ware Couiit\'s pros])erous and |)rogres- 
3JJ_ si\-e dairy farmers, hneh' located at Ba- 
ta\'ia Kill, was born in this same town 
of Roxbury, January 51, |S:;,S. and inherits the 
bl(jod of two races, the Irisli and the Dutch, 
combining characteristics of the (iaelic and 
Teutonic peoples. His paternal grandfather I 
was John T. Hookhout, a Hollander, whose 
wite was a nati\e of Ireland. 15oth came to 
America in the latter part of the eighteenth 
century, after tlie l\e\dlutionar)- War, and met 
for the first time aboard ship, the \-o\age oc- 
cujn-ing thirty-si.\ days. 

.Soon after their aiiival on these shores 
John r. J^ookhout and Xancv -Smock were | 
marrietl, and at once began farming in West- j 
Chester Count)-, New N'ork, where the\- re- ! 
mained a number of )-ears. In I SoS the)- 
came to Delaware Count)-, and bought a hun- 
dred acres of wooded land, which la\- about 
two niiles abo\-e the village of Koxbury. 
This land thev cleaied and made arable, 
l)Utting up new buildings, and making man\- 
imi)ro\-ements, Mt". Hookhout having the 
reputatioi-i of an industrious and successful 
farmer. He lixed to the rijie old age of 
eighty-se\-en years, and his w-ife to al)out tlie 
same age. Politicall)-, he was a Whig, and 
su])ported that party from its organization. 
I'jilisting as a ])ri\-ate, he serxed through the 



War of 1812, aiul to the ilay of his death was 
a respected and honored citi/.en of Koxburv. 
He and his wife had a family of ten children, 
of whom eight grew up; namely. William, 
James, John, I'eter, Anna, Jane, Margaret, 
and Mary Hookhout. 

William Hookhout, the eldest son, was born 
in Westchester Count)- in 1790, and was 
therefore eighteen years of age when his 
father moved to Delaware Ct)unty. Although 
young, his labor w-as equal to an)- man's in 
clearing anil working the farm. There were 
no roads by which the farmer could drive to 
town and exchange his produce for wares that 
he needed. I'".\-ery farm had to sup])ly its 
occupants with nearly all their necessities. 
'I'o get meal to niake the dail)- bread for the 
family, William had to carry a sack of grain 
on his back to a mill some distance away to 
be ground, his path leading through the 
woods, and niarked by blazed trees. 

When William was twent)- years old, he 
married Caioline Hull, and bought a farm of 
one hundred and thirt\--six acres in the same 
section of the count)-. This farm, which is 
now owned h) Michael OTIair, was then 
nearly all new land. .Mr. Hookhout cleared 
it and erected substantial buildings, |)roving 
himself a sagacious farmer, and was well 
known throughout the neighborhood. Like 
his father, he su|)ported the \\'hig ])arty in 
politics; and both he and his wife were mem- 
bers of the Methodist church. He died at 
the age of sixt)-, and his w-ife at sixtv-ti\-e. 
They had ele\-en children, all of whom haye 
married. 

Isaac S. Hookh(iUt receixed onl\- a common- 
school education; but by home study he pre- 
jxired hiniselt for a business career, and, being 
\ery ambitious, was alw-a)-s on the lookout for 
a chance to improve himself. When he was 
but fourteen years okl, his father died; and he 
at once took charge of the farm, and looked 
after the interests of the children. When he 
was twent) -fue )-ears old, he married and 
bought ai-i adjoining tract of tw-o huiulred 
acres, which is now- ow-ned by Caleb Rey- 
nolds, in Xorth Roxbur\-. .After clearing and 
inqjroxing the land, he sold it, and bought a 
farm of one himdred and thirty-six acres on 
Hubble Hill, where he sta\-ed ten years. He 



520 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



then sold that farm and bought his present 
place at Hatavia Kill. The farm is about twt) 
hundred and forty-four acres in extent ; and it 
was the first farm settled in this beautiful 
valley, the former owner having come here in 
1794. It is finely located; and Mr. Bookhout 
has imi^roved it very much, so that it is now 
reckoned as one of the best dairy farms in the 
valley. Mr. Bookhout has an excellent dairy, 
owning many fine cows of different breeds, the 
farm being well adapted for grazing. 

Mr. Isaac S. Bookhout married luisebia 
Craft; and they have had four children, 
namely: Charles, who was born July 8, 1866; 
W. Ward, born January i, 1869, and died 
October 29, 1889; Lillie F. , born May 2, 
1871, and died April 13, 1880; and Ray- 
mond, the youngest, who was born July 22, 
1884, and now lives on the farm. Mr. Book- 
hout is a Republican, and he and his wife are 
both members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. He is a respected citizen, and a 
popular man throughout the neighborhood. 



'AMES W. PIERCE, a well-known and 
respected farmer residing in the town 
of Hamden, about six miles from Wal- 
ton, was born in Dutchess County 
August 8, 1822. His father, Daniel, and 
grandfather, Timothy, were natives of the same 
county. Daniel Pierce was brought up as a 
farmer, residing with his grandfather until he 
came of age, his mother having died when he 
was quite small. He then started out in the 
world for himself, first working by the month. 
Being of a frugal and saving turn of mind, he 
was soon enabled to jHucha.se a farm in Andes, 
upon which he resided for some years, then 
moved to Meredith, where he rented a farm. 
He s])ent his last years with his son, James 
W. , dying at the advanced age of seventy- 
eight. He married Miss Mary Reynolds, a 
daughter of James and Sarah (Campbell) Rey- 
nolds, and a native of Dutchess County.' Of 
this union there were eight children; namely, 
James W. , Elizabeth, Timothy, William, 
Robert, Daniel, Lavinia, and Marcus. Three 
of them are still living, namely: James W. ; 
Lavinia, who is the wife of George l-'oster, 
and lives in Nebraska; and Robert, a promi- 



nent farmer of Walton. Mrs. Pierce died in 
Meredith, at the age of forty-four years; and 
Mr. Pierce married for his second wife, Betsey 
Lockwood, a native of this county. She died 
at the home of James W'. Pierce, aged sixty- 
two. 

James W. Pierce sjient his early )ears in the 
town of Andes, where he acquired a common- 
school education. He assisted his father for a 
time, afterward working on a farm b\- the 
month. He then turned his attention to the 
blacksmith trade, working at that business for 
si.xteen years. In 1859 he purchased the farm 
of two hundred acres which he now occupies, 
upon which he has built a fine residence and 
commodious barns. He is specially interested 
in butter-making, shipping it by wholesale to 
New York City and Newburg. 

Mr. Pierce was married in 1849 to Miss 
Frances C. Clark, a daughter of Charles and 
Catherine (Gay) Clark. The Clark family 
originally came from Connecticut, the parents 
of Charles Clark coming to Franklin when he 
was but eight years old. The mother of Mrs. 
Pierce was the daughter of Edward Gay, a 
school-teacher, and the first to teach school in 
the village of Franklin. Mr. Clark reared a 
family of seven girls, namely: Clarissa, the 
wife of Jacob Warner, of Walton ; Amanda, 
who is married to Sylvester Brown; Amelia, 
married to P. Young; Mary, the wife of 
Aaron Houghtaling; Aurelia, the wife of 
William F"isher, of Croton ; F"rances, Mrs. 
Pierce ; Kate, married to Stephen Benedict, 
of North Walton. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce be- 
came the parents of twelve children, namely : 
Mary R., who died in infancv; Edward T. , 
who married Belle Wooden, and has one 
child — Ethel; Robert W. , who married Ellen 
Hastings, of New York; Herbert A., who 
married Mary Moat, of Roxbury, and has four 
children — James W., Mno, Nellie, and Lillie 
Belle; Charles A., who is a Baptist minister, 
and married Mary Fitch ; William, who mar- 
ried Mary II. Newton, a daughter of Dr. 
Newton, and has two children — Sterling and 
Gertrude F. ; Marcus, who married Lulu 
Frick ; I'rederick, who is a veterinary surgeon 
at Oakland, Cal., who married Alice Palmeter, 
and has one child — Lena ; Kate, the wife of the 
Rev. F". I. Wheat, a pastor of the Congrega- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



tional cluucli at W'oddliawn. and iIk' niutlKT 
of one son — Charles Ii\ini;-: l-"rank, who mar- 
ried I.illie Cook, and assists his father on the 
farm; Clarence W. . who is a clerk; and lames 
R.. who is residing; with his l^rolher at ( )ak- 
land, Cal.. and is studyinj;- for the ministry. 

Ill I.S64 Mr. Pierce enlisted in Comi)an\- I), 
One Hundred and Forty-fourth Xew York 
X'olunteer Infantry, and ser\ed for about 
eleven months, fortunately escapiiii;' heinj;' 
either woundetl or taken jirisoner. lie was 
honorably discharged from the service at 
h'.lmira in 1.S65. He is a member of benjamin 
Mar\in Post, Xo. 2cx), (irand .\rm\' of the 
Re|)ublic, of Walton. He i> a strong sup- 
])orter of the Republican ])art\-, but has ne\er 
aspired to anv official position. The famil\- 
are active members of the Ha]itist church, Mr. 
Pierce having been a Deacon for a number of 
years. He is one of the strong representative 
men of his district, and all his life has been a 
respected and honored citizen, ever forward 
and active in those mattei's pertaining to the 
good of the communitv. 




ii.xRLE.s (i. .mi;i:ki:r, one of the 

]irosperous farmers of the town of 
Ro.xburv, was born at the old 
Meeker homestead, June 27. 1X55, 
being the son of Hiram and .Sarah (Mont- 
gomery) Meeker, and grandson of Lvman 
Meeker. The graiulfather came from I'air- 
field. where he was giving his attention to 
farming, to Delaware Countv, and settled on 
Ross's 15rook. The whole i)lace was then a 
wilderness; and, in looking back, one can but 
wonder at the courage which so bravelv faced 
the har(lshi])s and jirivations incident to such 
an undertaking. Xevertheless, he prospered, 
and cleared the wav to a home for himself and 
a heritage for his children. I.vtnan .Meeker 
had ten children Hiram, .\braham. lulvvin. 
(iorham, Philo, Ahaz. Adad, Pauline, ()live. 
and Deborah. These all lived to grow up. 

Hiram Meeker, son of I.vman. receiveil his 
education at the district school in his native 
town of Roxburv. and commenceil farming as 
an occujjation bv working for his brother-in- 
law, Jeremiah G. Henton. At the age of 
twenty-one he bought one humlred and eighty 



acres ol partiiillv cleared land, and, taking 
hokl of the laborious task, tinished clearing 
the whole trad, laying it out in helds, gar- 
dens, and hay-|)roducing meadows. Later in 
lite he took down the old farm-house which 
had served him and his wife in their first hibo- 
rious (lavs. :uid erecteil a large and attractive 
new one. with modi-rn conveniences. He also 
built two barns and a wagon-house, jjartly of 
stone. I'luis, commencing slowly at first, and 
steadily progressing, he developed a very fine 
estate. This energetic and enterprising man 
lived to be eight v vears old. 

His widow. Mrs. .Sarah M. Meeker, i> still 
living, ;it seventy-six ve;irs of age. .She re- 
sides with her son, Charles (i. Meeker. Her 
other children were: .Marv, who married 
C. ( ). Kiljiatrick, lives in town, and has one 
child; and l-jinna. deceased at the age of 
nineteen. Mr. Hiram Meeker was a Demo- 
crat, lie was .Supervisor and Justice of thi.- 
Peace a long time, and also served as an As- 
sessor. Hoth parents were meml)ers of the 
.Methodist I-'.piscopal church. 

Charles (]. Meeker was educated in the dis- 
trict school and at the Roxburv .\cadem_v. 
.After leaving school, he em[)loyed himself 
about the farm until he was of age. 'J ' 
took entire charge of it, and has since ^ :. 
steadilv .going on with imiirovements and de- 
veloping its various resources. Mr. Meeker's 
farm is a specimen of a fine tvpe of .-\merican 
agriculture. It su|i])orts an attractive dairv. 
and a careful Iv selected herd of thirtv cows, 
tvventv-six of which are pure (iuernseys. The 
farm, being partlv in the corporation of Rox- 
bury, is distinguished by the convenient walks 
which lead all about it. Mr. Meeker deserves 
commendation for his e:utiest endeavor to 
beautifv and improve his jilace. and is an 
examjile to those who, having estates, are 
indifferent to their ajjpearance. or to the im- 
provement of that which thev must pass on, as 
thev finallv leave them, to their descendants. 

Charles C. Meeker married Miss Isabel l:i 
Cartwright. who was born Xovember 24. 
1X60, daughter of .Almarion and Hannah 
(Cowen) Cartwright. Mr. and Mrs. Cart- 
wright had two children- I'"ber and Isabella. 
The father lived to be sixty-four years old. 
The mother makes her home with the son and 



522 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



daughter. Mr. Cartwright was a Republican, 
but at the time when Horace Greeley was so 
active in politics he changed to the Democratic 
side. He was a man of use in town affairs. 
At one time he held the office of Provost Mar- 
shal. He was ahso Justice of the Peace three 
years, and Supervisor the same length of time. 
Mr. and Mrs. Meeker have one child, a 
daughter named Jennie, born September i6, 
1878. Mr. Meeker is a Democrat in politics, 
and he has been a Trustee of the village. He 
is a member of the Roxbury Lodge, Indepen- 
dent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 608. He and 
his wife are both attendants of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. 



fHOMAS H. SCOTT, who owns and 
occupies a fine farm about four miles 
from the village of Walton, is by trade 
a carpenter and builder, and has erected 
many fine buildings in this vicinity, among 
others being the United Presbyterian church 
and parsonage at Walton. He was born 
in Rovina, June 23, 1852, son of James R. 
Scott, who was a native of the same town, 
born there in 1824. His paternal grandfather, 
Adam Scott, who was born in Deenburnhaugh, 
Roxburgh County, Scotland, in 1795, emigrated 
to this country in 1818, and was among the 
original settlers of Bovina. His marriage 
with Nancy Russell, which was performed by 
Squire Maynard, the grandfather of Judge 
Mavnard, was the first marriage in Bovina. 
He took up a tract of wild land, and began to 
clear a farm ; but, while yet in the vigor of 
manhood, he was accidentally killed, the pair 
of horses which he was driving taking fright 
and running away, and he, being thrown from 
the sleigh, .struck on his head and went 
through the ice. He left a widow and eight 
children, the eldest of whom was a boy twelve 
years old. A year afterward the mother of 
these children was likewise taken away by 
death, leaving the family orphans indeed. 

James R. Scott resided with an uncle after 
the death of his parents, and, on leaving 
school, learned the trade of a carpenter and 
joiner, which he carried on in Middletown and 
Bovina. For seven years he was also engaged 
in general farming, but never entirely relin- 



quished his trade. He lived until sixty-five 
years of age, departing from the scenes of his 
earthly labors in 1889. His wife was Mary 
Winter, a native of New Kingston, and one of 
ten children born to Thomas and Isabelle 
Winter, who emigrated to New York from 
England, and, settling in New Kingston, there 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. They reared 
eight children, four sons and four daughter.s, 
namely: James A. ; Thomas H. ; Gilbert T. ; 
Andrew; Annabelle, deceased; Mary E. , the 
wife of Jacob N. Thompson, of New Kingston; 
P'anny, deceased; and Elizabeth. The mother 
spent her last years in the place of her birth, 
passing on to the higher life at the age of 
threescore years. Both parents were conscien- 
tious members of the I'nited Presbyterian 
church. 

Thomas H., the second son of James R. and 
Mary Scott, lived on a farm in New Kingston 
until sixteen years old, acquiring a good com- 
mon-school education, and, after completing 
his studies, taught school in the winter for 
several seasons. He learned the carpenter's 
trade of his father, as did each of his brothers, 
and subsequently entered into partnership with 
him, continuing thus to work until 18S4. He 
then established himself in the village of 
Walton, where his reputation as a skilled 
mechanic had preceded him. Many of the 
finest residences and other buildings of this 
locality have been built under his supervision, 
and are standing monuments of his skill and 
industrv. For ten years he conducted the 
business, being the leading carpenter of the 
town; but early in the present year, 1894, he 
removed to his farm, which contains one 
hundred acres of choice land. He carries on 
mixed farming and dairying, his specialty 
being butter-making; and in this business, as 
in every other in which he has engaged, he is 
meeting with unqualified success. 

The marriage of Mr. Scott to Jennie Ormis- 
ton took place in 1880, when he was about 
twenty-eight years of age. Miss Ormiston 
was one of seven children born to her parents, 
James and Rebecca (McFarland) Ormiston, 
who were natives of Broome County, and were 
pioneer settlers of Bovina. Mr. and Mrs. 
Scott have had their family circle enlarged by 
the birth of six children, of whom the follow- 



RIOGRAPHICAL REVIP:W 



523 



ing arc li\ing: Mai\ ; Ivalpli aiul Rcl)occa, 
twins; atul Holon. Mr. Scoll is a slraight- 
forward lousiness man. highly ostccnicd among 
his t'rioncis and fciiuw-cit izcns. and in politics 
is an influential mcmiicr of tjic I'ldliihition 
part\'. He and his estimable wife are both 
members of the United Presbyterian church, in 
which he has been an l^lder for man\- years, 
having been elected previous to his iemo\al 
to W'allon. He was superinteiuU'nt of the 
Sunday-school for seven years, and Mis. Scott 
was one of its most etTicient teachers. 




i;()R(;i-: c;. i)i-:('K.b;k. one of the 

shrewd, energetic business men of 
Middletown, and {'resident of the 
{'copies Hank at Margarettville, is a native of 
Delaware C!ount\', haxing been born in the 
town of Roxburv. {-"ebruarx- 1;. 1NJ4. {{is 
parents were William and Jane (.Moie) Decker, 
at one time residents of I'aghkanick. Colum- 
l)ia Coimtv, X. \'., the former of whom was 
born Januar_\- 1. 1795, and was the son ol Law- 
rence Decker, whose wife was b\- maiden name 
Caroline Hollenbcck. The latter died before 
her husband; antl Lawrence 1 )ecker married 
again, his secontl wife l)eing l.ucietia {-"owler. 
lie was of Dutch ancestry, and came from Co- 
lumbia to (ireene Coiuit)-, bu\ing a small faiiii 
neai- I'rattsville, which he cultivated with that 
untiring industry characteristic of the race 
from which he sprang. He and his wife Caro- 
line were the |_)arents of five children, one son 
and four daughters, whose names, reversing the 
order of se.x, were Caroline, Ami, Christina, 
I'hebe, and William. 

■{'he last named, the date ol whose biith is 
given alcove, was on the death ol his parents 
ado])tetl into the llardenburgh family, and 
accpiireil a practical education in the common 
schools of {'rattsville. His strong commercial 
instincts prompted him to sei'k the avenui's of 
trade as the road to fortune; ami with but a 
slender capital he staited in the mercantile 
business, opening the lirst geneial store in 
{■vo.xburv. l-'or some time all went well with 
the youthful merchant; but his good fortune 
did not last long, his store being destroved by 
fire, with all its contents. Not relishing this 
experience, he turned aside from the ])aths ol 



commerce to tlmse o| agricu{ture, an({ pur- 
chasetl a farm in tlie town of .\ndes, the |)rop. 
ert\' l)eing known at the time as tlte Clhapman 
farm, and now forming a |),hI of the site of Ihe 
village of Andes. {{ere he resi({e({, engaged 
in agricultural pursuits, from iM^2 to 184^ 
Al)out the latter year he sold his farm, and, 
feeling inc{inec{ for a change, l)ecame the pro- 
prietor of the Andes Hotel, whiclt he conducted 
lor some three veins. {n 1X46 he removed to 
Hancock, and conducted a hotel there for one 
vear, but at the end of that time returned to 
farming, and died on his son's farm, {-"ebruarv 
JJ, icS;^. 1 {e was an (dd-time Democrat, anil 
had serveil in the War of i.Sij. {{e {ield the 
office of Deputy .Sheriff of his county. {{is 
wife, forinerly Jane More, was {jorn June S, 

I 1S05, 'I'l^' attaineci the rijie age of eighty years, 
dying May 2<S, 1 .S.S5. 

I Cicorge (i. Decker actjuired a fair amount of 
elementary knowledge in the common schools 
of his native town of {<oxbury and Andes, and 
added to his mental e(|ui|)ment by a coiu'se in 
the Delaware .Academy at Delhi. He then 
took a position as clerk in the general store of 
the Hon. L. 1. Huihaus, remaining so emi)loyed 
for eight vears, at the enil of which time he 
became a partner in the business, the firm 
being known as L. J. Hurhaus & Co. Not 
long after, obtaining an interest in the business, 
he came to Margarettville, in 1849, and o])ened 
a branch store, of which he took personal 
charge for six vears, it being one of the first 
stores in the village. He then built a store 
for himself, and continued in the mercantile 
business imtil 1 S76, wlien he so{tl out the 
stock to .^{r. .Swart, a{)oul this time being 
maile I'ostmaster of tlie village, an office wliich 
he resigned in 1884. '{'he Western loan 
business occupied his attention from 1889 to 
1891. in which latter year he organized and 
became {'resident of the {'e<t[j{e's {-Sank of 
Margarettville. He was elected {'resilient, 
April 10, 1891 ; anil the bank building was 
erected in the following year, '{'he bank is a 
prosperous institution, much patronized by the 
l)usiness men and citizens of Middletown; ami 
^^r. Decker .ably fills the office of {'resident. 
That he has the good will and confidence of his 
fellow-townsmen is attested bv the fact that he 

I has served a term as member of As-rnibl\, .md 



524 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



has held the town offices of Supervisor and 
Commissioner of Schools. 

Mr. Decker was married in 1849 to Cathe- 
rine H. More, daughter of Alexander and Sarah 
(Church) More. The father of Mrs. Decker 
was a thriving and well-known farmer of Ro.\- 
bury, and was later a dealer in farm produce. 
He was the son of Robert and .Susannah (Fel- 
lows) More, and was born in Ko.xbury in 1799. 
His paternal grandparents were John and 
Bessie (Tyler) More. Robert More, father of 
Alexander, was a Revolutionary soldier serving 
in the patriot army, and later becoming one 
of Delaware County's first settlers. He took 
up wild land, which he cleared, and became a 
thriving and substantial farmer, surviving to a 
good old age. He arid his wife reared the fol- 
lowing children: William C. , who married 
Sarah Newkirk; Susan A., who became the 
wife of O. A. Preston ; Catherine, now Mrs. 
Decker; Abigail C. , who married A. A. 
Crosby, of Rondout ; and David F., who mar- 
ried Sarah Hubble, and now resides in New- 
ark, N.J. 

Mr. and Mrs. George G. Decker are the 
parents of three children: Susie M., who 
became the wife of S. W. Marvin, a publisher 
of New York City, and has four children, 
whose names are George O., Alexander B. , 
Elenor, and Samuel W'. ; Augusta A., who 
married O. A. Ewart, and died October 22, 
1893, leaving three children — Howard D., 
Fred. M., and Katherine ; William M., who 
married Bessie Smith, is now a prominent 
physician in Kingston, and has two children 
— Dorothy and William. 

Mr. Decker, although engaged in active 
business, is not unmindful of the things per- 
taining to the higher life, and exemplifies a 
practical Christianity in his dealings with his 
fellow-men. He is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church, and is a power for good 
in the communitv in which he dwells. 



[^■jATHANH':L CURTIS MARVIN, at- 
toruey-at-law of the town of Walton, 
is a lineal descendant of Reginald 
Marvin, who sailed from England 
for America early in the seventeenth century. 
The emigrant chose New Haven as the place 




best adapted for his new enterprise; and 
hither he was soon followed by his brother 
Matthew, whose permit to cross the Atlantic 
was dated April 15, 1635. Here Reginald 
Marvin reared his family; and his son Regi- 
nald, who li\ed at Lyme, and was known in the 
Indian wars as Lyme's Captain, became the 
father of Samuel Marvin, who was born in 
1671. Thomas, son of Samuel Marvin, and 
the great-grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, was born March 4, 1703, resided at: 
Simsbury, Conn., and died in 1754, having 
amassed a comfortable fortune. 

His son Matthew was born at Simsbury, 
June 7, 1754. When the Revolutionary War 
broke out, and so many were ready and anxious 
to fight for their freedom, Matthew was too 
young to be accepted as an active soldier; but, 
with praiseworthy longing to take a part in the 
struggle, he persuaded his uncle to take him as 
Orderly. And thus he participated in several 
battles, among which were Long Island, Tren- 
ton, Red Bank, Princeton, and Germantown. 
He was also one of those brave, daring fellows 
who followed Lafayette in the memorable 
storming of the fort at \'orktown. He was 
married at New Canaan, Conn., in \/^4. to 
Mary Weed, of that town. In 1799 they re- 
moved with a yoke of oxen and a horse to 
Walton, N. Y. , where he took a grant of one 
thousand acres of timber land in comjiany with 
his brother-in-law. This the_\' cleared and im- 
proved, transforming it into fine, fertile farms, 
which continued in the possession of the 
family until 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Matthew 
Marvin buried an infant daughter, but reared 
five sons — Joseph, Jared, Thomas, the father 
of the subject of this sketch, William, and 
Lewis. 

Their son Thomas was born at Cambridge, 
Wa.shington County, N. Y., April 20, 1791, 
and died March 25, 1891. In 1813 he married 
Dency Tiffanv, who was born September 5, 
1795, in the town now known as Hamden. 
-She passed away in 1846, leaving eight chil- 
dren: William, born November 28, 1814, who 
died March 30, 1889; Thomas Edwin, born in 
1 816, who resides in Walton; Andrew J., who 
was born in 18 19, and died in Brooklyn, N.Y., 
in 1877; Jose])h Tiffany, who was born in 
1822 and now li\-es in Kansas; Nathaniel. 




( 




^4"-^ 



A'sr. 'ifrr/i /-fieh,' 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



.=;^s 



Curtis, the subject of this sketch; licdcnck 
Foote, born in 1828, at present also in Kan- 
sas; Elizabeth Crane, born in 1830, wlio is 
the widow of the Rev. }. V. Kodt, of Huston, 
and has two daunhters, both of wlioni are mis- 
sionaries in India; and Miittiirw W. , n\ 
Walton. 

Nathaniel Curtis Mar\in was born March •^, 
1826, in Walton, and grew up on his father's 
farm, receivint; his education in tiie district 
school and in" the academy of h"r;inklin. When 
but tweh'e years of age, he begem to read hiw 
with judge Isaac Ogden, and at si.xteen entered 
the law ofifice of \. K. and T. II. Wheeler. 
He lived at home, and his time was full\- occu- 
pied with farming and reading hiw. Ik- was 
dee]ily interested in the State militia, and in 
1849 was elected Ca])tain of Com])an\' A, 
Si.xtv-ninth Regiment, being made Colonel in 
1 85 1. November 7, 1850, he nKirricd Miss 
Julia A. Fitch, who was born in Walton on 
Christmas Day, 1831, dimghter of Nathaniel 
and Sally (Benedict) h'itch, both of whom 
were natives of Connecticut, Init removed to 
New \'()rk when verv voung. 

Nathaniel I-'itch was boin in 1797, and 
brought to Walton when but h\c vears of age. 
The Benedicts had mined here in 1797, and 
Sally was born in 1799; and here both Mr. 
and Mrs. l-'itch dietl — she, I-"ebruary 16, 
1879; and he, August 12, 1S72. They were 
the parents of fi\c thihhen. namel\' : Sarah, 
wife of I)i-. I',. .Sduthard, of I-"ranklin; Julia, 
Mrs. Marvin; I,\'man M. h'itch, of Kansas 
Citv, Mo.; (ieorge and .Augustus, both of 
Walton. The ancestors of the I'itch family 
were silk manufacturers in I-'rancc, who at 
the time of the Huguenot jjersecution tied to 
Germany, and thence to Ilollanfl and Fngland. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mar\-in buried their only son, 
Nathaniel Curtis, Jr., aged two and one-half 
vears, on October 20, 1869. They have living 
four daughters: .Mice Augusta, widow ot T. 
Porter Lanfield, who has one daughtt'r, I'.Ua; 
Fliza l-'lora, wife of Charles B. Bassett ; Julia 
I'iteh, wife of Benjamin (i. North; and Cora 
Belle, who married .Mr. J. lerknile, ;nui 
resides in New Jersew being tiie mother of 
two sons and one daughter. 

Mr. Marvin was a radical Democrat of the 
old Jackson and Jefferson school, \-oting for 



M.Mlin \',in Bnreii .ind I'remunt , but on the 
nrg;mi/alion <>\ the Re|.ul)lican p;utv he es 
ponsed its cause as that of triii.- henna racv. 
;uid li:is fver since been its sl;incli def. ip'. 
.Althuugh JK' nexer aspiird tn be .01 ..ii . 
holder, lu' reluct:HUly consented to serve- as ,1 
c;uidid;ite for St;ite legi.^kilure, t.iking the fieM 
only nine days befme the election, and was 
elected in a Demueratic distriet. He served 
in this position during iS78;ind 1871;, his in 
Huence U<v guod being felt throughout lh:it 
body. .Mr. Marxin is an houui to the worth) 
name he bears -generous, manh, judicious, 
and conscientious; a devoted hu>b;uHl :ind 
father, and a faithful friend; a citizen whose 
life is an e.\am])le of integrity and uprightness 
which young men might be conmiended in fol- 
lowin>/. 



.\^' COri.l) was born :it West settle- 
meiu. l\o.\bur\', Delaware Countv, 
N.\'.. May 27, i8jG, son of John 
Burr and .Mary (More) (iould. The 
Could family is of l-jigli.sh extraction, its 
foundei- in this eountr\-. Major Nathan (Sold, 
having left St. ICdmundsburv, Countv Suffolk. 
Fngland, in 1646, to settle in I'airtieid. Comi., 
where he soon made his influence felt as a fore- 
m(jst citizen. He was one of the signers of 
the ]x-tition for the charter of the Connecticut 
Colon), 1654. which petition "was signed In 
no gentleman unless he had sustiiined a higji 
rejJUtation in Fngland before he came to New 
luigland. " I'rom 1651 until his death in 
1694 he was a member of the Connecticut 
Colonial Council, which corres|.ionded to the 
.State .Senate of to-da)-. 

A grandson of Major Cold, Colonel Abraham 
(iolcl, married lilizabeth Burr, thus connecting 
the Ciold famil)- with another of equal pronii 
nence. .\br;diam Ccdd was Colonel of the 
I'ifth Regiment in the Revolutioiiarx' arnn. 
receiving his commission from Cio\ernor Tnun 
bull. Farl\- in the war he w;is killed \>. ' • ' 
leading an attack ag:tinst the |-".nglish 1 
(jeneral Trvon. His sword is still presr 
n<iw being in the possession of his nanii - 
Abraham Could Jennings. The Colonel - 
fourth son. Abraham, was commissionetl as 
Captain. At the close of the war, when New 



526 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



York was in the " West," and sturdy men from 
Connecticut were pushing their way across the 
border, this Cajitain (iold led a part)- Irom 
l-"airficld into Dehiware County, where he took 
upland in what is now known as West settle- 
ment, Koxbury. Here was born his eklest 
son, Jt)lin Burr (iould, the father of the subject 
of this sketch. The wife of John Burr (iould 
was a grand-dauj;hter of John More, a Scotch- 
man of Ayrshire, who emi};rated in 1772, anil 
of whom a sketch is to be found elsewhere in 
this volume. 

Almost all of Ja\' (iould's school education 
was received before he was fifteen at the 
schools of the district, the private school sup- 
ported bv his father, and a few other progres- 
sive men of the settlement, and at the ITobart 
Academv, where he ]5artiallv paid his own 
e.xjiense bv kee])ing books outside of school 
hours. As |ohn Burr (iould had succeeded 
Captain (iold in the ownershi]5 and care of the 
farm, so it was e.xj^iected that Jay would, in 
turn, succeed his father; but he showed such a 
distaste for farm life that his father exchanged 
the farm for a store in the xillage of Roxbury. 
At the age of fifteen Jay not onl\- kept the 
books, but did all the bu\'ing; and he was so(jn 
taken into partnership. His extra time was 
spent in the studv of surveying; and before he 
was sixteen he was doing practical work, at 
first as an assistant, then as a projector and 
leader of ex]x^ditions. He made several maps, 
the most important being that of Delaware 
County, which is still a standard. 

While travelling over the countiy as a sur- 
veyor, he became interested in the reminis- 
cences of the old settlers. He took notes, 
followed u]) lines of in\estigation, and in an 
incrediblv short time lie had read\- the first 
History of Delaware Count\'. To state that 
the manuscript was burned at the |irinters, 
and that nearl\- all of it had to be rewritten 
from memorv, is to give but one instance of 
tho.se remarkable traits of energy and persever- 
ance and power of concentration and memory 
which were key-notes to Mr. (iould's character. 
Before this book had been returned from the 
printers, Mr. (iould had met Colonel Zadock 
I'ratt, of Fratts\ille, who, recognizing at 
once the young man's ability, ditl not hesitate 
to enter with him into a large tannery enter- 



prise in Pennsylvania. W'ith almost the 
quickness of thought, a \illage sprang up in 
the forest, with its tannery, church, school- 
house, and post-office, with a plank-road lead- 
ing to the nearest town, and a stage route 
connecting with the outside world. 

The pros])erity of the business soon enabled 
Mr. (iould to purchase Colonel Pratt's interest, 
and enter into partnershi]5 with a New York 
firm. The partnership and the necessary deal- 
ing with wholesale houses led Mr. (iould 
frequently to New York. Here he met men of 
larger interests, one of whom, who had watched 
Mr. (iould's astuteness and quickness in deal- 
ing with tlifficult situations, asked his assist- 
ance in extricating from financial embarrass- 
ment a small railroad in Vermont. The 
accomplishment of this undertaking gave 
evidence of Mr. (iould's peculiar ability to 
build up a flagging enterprise, and it launched 
him on his life work. Henceforth his interests 
were centred in railroads and kindretl enter- 
])rises, as steamship and telegraph lines. To 
enumerate in order the railroads that gradually 
came under his management would be to trace 
the development of those parts of our country 
through which those railroads run, especiall)' 
of the great West and South-west. 

The Vermont railroad on a firm footing, Mr. 
Gould became interested in the Cleveland & 
Pittsburg road, which he built up in the same 
way. The l:Crie next engaged his attention, 
then the Union Pacific. At the time of his 
death Mr. (^ould was a director in numerous 
railroad and other companies. But his greatest 
enterprises, familiar to .ill, were the Union 
Pacific, the Missouri Pacific, the Texas & 
Pacific, the Western Union Telegraph Com- 
pany, and the Manhattan Railway. He amal- 
gamated rival telegraph companies, and became 
the head of the W'estern Union Telegraph 
system. lie obtained control of the Union 
Pacific and the Manhattan when they were on 
the verge of bankruptcy, and soon made of 
them paying companies. And he laid the 
foundation of the great .Missouri Pacific 
system. 

Mr. (iould amassed a colossal fortime, and 
died at an age when many men are but begin- 
ning to reap the friut of their labors. But 
into his first twenty-one years had been 



BIOGRAPHICAL RKVIEW 



s-'y 



crowded the work and exiXTieiicc ol manv an 
average man's lifetime. Denied the longed- 
for educational advantages, and husv all (lav, 
he grasped every <ipportunity to Iraiii, spending 
the early hours nt ihe night m reading and 
stud)-. He had a remarkahle knowledge of 
human nature, gained hy his business contact 
with men of all classes. .\nd, aside from the 
]iractical use of his knowledge of surveying, 
his work in that line had <|uicke-ned his natural 
capacit)' for detail. 

January 22. i.SG^, Mr. (iould was marrii'd 
to Helen Day Miller, of New \'i)rk, daughter 
of Daniel .S. Millei', descenilant of an I'.nglish 
family which settled at luisthamptini, L. 1. , 
in early Colonial days. Ihe chihlicn of this 
union are: deorge Ja\ (iould, hoin in 1 .sr)4 ; 
Kdwin (iould, born in 1 .S66 ; Hek'n Millei' 
(ioukl, horn in I iS6,S ; Howard ( ioidd. hmn in 
1871; Anna Cjould, born in 1S75; and fiank 
Jay (iould, born in 1S77. Mrs. (inuhl died 
Januaiy 13. 1SS9; and Mr. (Iould survived 
her but a few \ears, his death occurring De- 
cember 2, ICS92. 

Mr. (iould had promised to assist tlu' con- 
gregation of the Reformed church of Ri)\l)ur\' 
in rebuikiing their church, which had been 
burned to the ground with all its fmnishing. 
This s(}ciety is the oldest dl the Reformed 
Church in Delawaie (.ount). jay dould's 
mother had been a mendjer of it ; and, as a 
boy, he had attended its services. Hut his 
death occurred before anv plans fur rebuilding 
had been matured. To fulfil his iiromise aiul 
to erect a desirable memorial, his children 
built at the expense of about S 100,000, and 
deeded to the church, a house of worshi]) which 
is the pride of the village. The corner-stone 
was laid September 20, 189.1; and the services 
of dedication were held on ( Ictoln-r i^ of the 
following year. The infinite care and loving 
thought bestowed upon e\erv detail has re- 
sulted in making this church not onh an ob- 
ject of great beaiUv, but one most perfectl}' 
adapted t<i all its uses. It stands on a slight 
eminence, surrounded b\' a well-turfed lawn, in 
the most attracti\'c part of the \illage, and is 
built of .St. Lawrence marble, the interior 
being finished in Indiana limestone and cjuar- 
tered oak. 'I'he tiled aisles, the mosaic floor 
of the jiulpit, the si.x large windows of stained 



glass, aild tti it-, bi-auty. ihe ininisleiS 
study and the church jiarlor and kitchen are 
also supplied lo the minutest detail. Tin- 
church throughout i.s lighted with gas, in 
which (iiiuenience are a<lded a gimd water sup 
ply and perfect drainagiv In mie transept is 
the pi|)e organ. The nther is arranged l<pr a 
.Sunda\-schoid inoni, with all a|ppriipriale fin'- 
nishings. 



w. jLi.irs s. r.\Tri;.\(,ii.i., .,i 

Walton, Delaw.iie Cuimtv, N.\'., was 




\\f)\ bi>ru in the town ni Canterbnrv, 

Conn., I"ebiuar\ 20, iSio. Hi- 
lathei', Horatio, who was born in Lisbon, 
Comi., in ( )ctobcr, 1777, was a son of Lemuel 
Pattengill, a n.itive of the same town. i'hree 
ot his sons John, Henjamin, and \\ illiam 
were soldiers in the Continental arnn, serving 
all through the war. John settled in Lawrence 
( ciuuty, Xcw \'ork, and was nearlv oik- hun- 
dred veaisold when he died. He was one of 
the last eleven pensioners of the Re\ idutionarv 
War, all of whom passed awav within one \ear 
ot his death. IV'njamin went South, where all 
tiace of him was lost. William settled on the 
dreen Mountains, dying there at an advanced 
age. Lemuel was a Cajjtain in the War ot 
I. Si 2, and was wounded and taken prisoner at 
the battle of (Jueenstown, Canada, and was 
soon afterw.ird parcded. 

Horatio Pattengill was married to Mis- 
Thankfid Cad}, who was born i-"ehrnar\ 24. 
I7<S3, at .Stepheiitown, Washington (_dnnt\. 
\. ^'. .She was the mother <if si.x children, 
namely: Kv;in. tiled, aged eight months; 
Horatio. die<l at Corning. X.N'., in hiseightv- 
seventh vear; \\'illi;un. rlied at .\ew IJshon. 
in his eightv-sixth year; Pauline, wife of 
Parker .Scott, died in .Milford. ()tsego (.'ountv. 
I S42, aged twent\-eighl vears ; l{liz:i. wife of 
1). de l-'orest. died at ()berlin. (Ihio. in iS"". 
aged fifty-six \ears. 

Julius .Seneca i'attengill. the fourth nniin" . 
of the familv, was engaged on the home l:irm 
until he arrived at his twentieth \ear. when Ik 
taught school lor some ten 01 nioiv term>. 
In I.S:;,S he graduated from the < Ineida Insti 
tnte and connnenced the study ol theology with 
the I'J.ev. A. !■".. Campbell, of ConpL-rstown, 



5^8 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



X. Y. He was ordained in i S40 at New 
Hcrlin, where he was engaged in pastoral work 
for nine years. Coming to Walton in 1S48, 
he remained as pastor of the Congregational 
church for twenty years. He next went to 
Homer, N. \'. , where he was employed by the 
State Temperance .Society for one year, and 
from there went to liainbridge, and was after- 
ward two years at Holland, Oneida County. 
Returning to Walton in 1S83, he was for seven 
years pastor of the Cannonsville Presbyterian 
church, and from that time has not been in con- 
tinuous active work, but has preached as an oc- 
casional supply, having been a servant in the 
vineyard of the Lord for fifty-six year.s. He 
was instrumental in establishing the academy 
at New Berlin, and obtained every one of the 
jiledges for the erection of the Walton Acad- 
emv, which school is one of the best ot its kind 
in the State. 

Rev. Mr. Tattengill was married on Oc- 
tober 8, 1839, to Miss Phrebe H. Mosher, 
of Laurens, Otsego County, N. Y. Four chil- 
dren were the fruit of the union, namely: 
Frances A., wife of George O. Mead; Cather- 
ine E. , who died, aged eighteen years; Mary 
M., wife of Charles Nolton, died in 1881, aged 
thirty, leaving two children; William H., a 
resident of W^alton. 

Mr. Pattengill is possessed of a physical and 
mental vigor which years have not serif)usly 
impaired. He has been indefatigable in his 
labors as a sower of precious seed, ha\ing on 
occasion preached the word four times in a 
long summer day, and three times in winter 
days. Full of years and meekly wise, he is 
justly venerated as one who has led many in 
the wav of righteousness. 




^'-r^V/ ILI.L\.M BRIXKMAX, the compe- 
J^ lent I'ostmaster of iM-anklin, .X. \\, 
is one of the best known and most 
highly esteemed citizens of this place. ilis 
father, Dedrick Hrinkman, was a nati\e of 
Prussia, where he was i)orn in 1806, and 
learned the trade of cabinet-maker, at which he 
worked for seven years near the family home. 
In 1830, with no fortune except his own willing 
hands, he sailed for America, the voyage being 
an unusually quick and pleasant one. He 



married in this country Klizabeth Vareschorst, 
of Germany; and until 1844 they resided in 
Cat.skill, after which they removed with their 
three children to Roxbury, Delaware County. 
Here for eight years Mr. Brinkman followed 
his trade, and then ]nu-chased a small farm in 
that town, which he sold at the expiration of 
two years to buv a larger one of three hundred 
acres near b\-. This the family occupied until 
the fall of 1865, disposing of it then, to re- 
miive to their new home of one hundred and 
sixty acres, about two miles above Franklin 
village. This, also, was sold two and a half 
yeais later, when Mr. Brinkman bought the 
farm on which he resided until his death, 
resulting from an accident with a runaway 
horse in 1880. His widow now lives with 
her daughter in Roxbury. Mr. and Mrs. 
Brinkman buried an infant, and reared ten 
children to maturity, seven sons and three 
daughters, of whom six sons and two daughters 
still survive. They are : Lewis, Otis, George 
H., and William in Franklin; Edward and 
Charles in the West; Mary, wife of George 
Silvernail, in P'lorida ; and Eliza, wife of 
Joseph Dart, at Roxbury. One of the sons, 
Henry C. Brinkman, was a volunteer in the 
Civil War, enlisting in the Eighth Indepen- 
dent Xew York Battery, and dying of malarial 
fever at Whitehouse Landing, June, 1862, 
when but twenty-one years of age. -A daugh- 
ter, Clara, for many years a successful teacher, 
died in the ])rime of life. 

W'illiam Brinkman was born in Catskill, 
(ireene County, July 8. 1840, and received his 
early education at the district school and the 
Ro.xbury Academy. In October, 1861, he 
enlisted in the same company with his brother 
Henry as a jMivate, re-enlisting Xovember 21, 
1863, and .serving to the close of the war, 
when he was discharged, in June, 1865. Al- 
though he was in active service throughout the 
terrible struggle, with the exception of three 
months during which he was a patient at the 
Chesapeake Hospital, a victim to malarial 
fever, he escaped shot, shell, and prison, and. 
after jjeace again reigned in the land, returned 
to Roxbury, later removing to Franklin, where 
he was engaged on his father's farm. Mr. 
I Brinkman then spent six months sight-seeing 
I in Nebraska and the West; but, as this was at 




Sherman S. Gregory. 



BIOGRAPHICAL RKVIFW 



Si> 



the lime of llu' ni'c-at gras.sluippcr sci>ur}j;c, his 
ini|)rcssi()ns ot tlial L-xlciisiw region wcic ikiI 
as favorable as tlicy wnnlii lia\e l)ccn mulei- 
(liffeix'iit circumstances. 

( )ctol)er 5, I .S6(j, lie manied Miss Marion 
li. Kingsle)', ol h'ranklin, who recei\ecl her 
education at the Delawaie Institute, and taiii^iit 
seven terms prexious to lu'r marriai^e. Mrs. 
Hrinkinan was the daus;hter of Bradford Kin^s- 
lev, of l'"ianklin, who died in 1N77, ai^ed 
se\'eiity-three \ears, his father, l^radftird 
Kins;sle\', Si., ha\iiii;- moved from Connecticut 
antl settled on a farm in l''ranklin o\er ninel}' 
N'cars a'^iK ller niotlKa, Marv A. (ireene. of 
Saratoga, passed awa\- wlien se\ent\'ei<;ht years 
of age at the cdd homestead in l-'ranklin, whith 
passed out ol the |)ossession of ihv familv 
only a few years ago. Mrs. Hrinkman lias 
two sisters and oni' hrothei', (ieoige H. Rings 
ley, of Coventi-y, now living. Ilei- maternal 
grandfather was Roger Able, the hrst while 
])erson to be liuried in the town of I'ranklin. 
He died at t wenU-eiglit years of age, soon 
aftei' settling here; and his r>.'niains wei'e 
drawn on an o.\ sled to Haitlett Hollow, 
where it was then supposed the town woukl be 
built. The wife of Roger .Able t'.\|)erienced 
an exciting adventuix- in the eailv ])ioneer 
dax's. .She was riding her hoi se along the 
bridle-path iusl over the hill from {•'ranklin, 
when a panthei- sprang betore her with Hashing 
eves and open jaws. The screams of the 
frightened wom.ni drow the ferocicjiis creature 
from the path, and brought to her lescue a 
workman from the neighboring fori-st. In the 
e.Kcitement Mrs. .Able had lost liei' saddle, but 
had clung to her horse. After lier husband's 
death she removed to .Saratoga Couiitv, where 
she clietl at an achanced age. 

In 18"^ Mr. Hrinkman s(dd his farm and, 
with liis faniil\-, removed to b' ranklin, of which 
town he was ap|)ointe(l Postmaster in 1.S.S5, 
serving four \ ears, being leappointeil in ( )cto- 
ber, 1895, and still serving in that capacity 
He is a charter member and iMist Adjutant ot 
the (jraml Arm\' of the Republic, Post 132, of 
P'ranklin, of which he has been Conimander tor 
six \ears. He is an enthusiastic Mason, lia\'- 
ing belonged to that org.uiization for the last 
twenty-nine )ears, and ha\dng servetl as Master 
of the Lodge at P'ranklin for five vears. He is 



a Ro\.il .\ich Mason, bein- ,1 im hum 1 i>i I n.i 
dilla Chapter, .\o. \y>i, and al>o i^ a mend)er 
ot iJK- .Sns(|uehami.i Lodge, ot the .Scnttisli 
kites degree. .Abcjul lliirtern vears ago Mr. 
i^rinkman purchased his present home in the 
village, where all are suie ol a cordial welcome 
from him and hi> estimable wife, who is a 
valued member of the Coiigreg.ii imial church. 
Mr. Hrinkman is a modest, retiring m.m, who 
performs his duties in a strictiv honorable, 
conscientious manner; and his l)i;i\i'r\ in the 
long service for his country, althuii-h never re 
terred to by him.self. will long live in the 
memorv of his comrades and friend.s. 




IH;RM.\.\ S. (.Rl-CokN', ,,f Can- 

iions\ilk' in the town of ■l"om]>kins, 

be:irs a name well known throughout 

this section of the .State; and the 

history ol his family, which has long been 

prominent in all town and count\' affairs, is 

peculiarly interesting. 

rinioth)- (iiegory, great -granillatlier of .Sher- 
man, was born in l)utchess County, and, when 
\erv \oung, came westward to the east br.mch 
of the Helaware, and was one of the pioneers 
of these parts. The countr\ bordering on 
the ri\er was at tli;it t ime a complete wilder- 
iK-ss ; and for one \ e,n' this stiird\ goodman 
worked at his land and lived alone, with his 
own hands erecting the log cabin that ua.s his 
first shelter, and in all that time seeing no 
human creature except an occasional Indian. 
.At length he brought his faniiU, and for some 
years lived ])eacefullv; but at the breiiking- 
out <if the Re\olutionar\ War, having received 
news that the Indians antl Tories were going to 
plunder the vallev and massacre the iniiabi- 
tants, he started off his family on horseback 
down the valley, and, taking with him all the 
valuables possible, set fire to his stacks and 
buildings, and went back to Dutchess Comity. 
.After the war he returned l<i the \alle\' and 
settled a few miles farther (low n th.in formerly, 
on the site of tlu' village which was afterward 
named in his honor (iregor\ town. He raised 
a large famih, and livetl to an ailv.incecl age. 
His ancestors came from La>tern .Massachu- 
setts; and one branch of tlie family li:i\e 
resided for generations in the quaint old 



532 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



town of Marblehead, where they have engaged 
extensively in the shoe manufacture. A fa- 
mous seedsman is also of their number. 

Josiah, son of Timothy, and grandfather of 
Sherman S. Gregory, was brought up on the 
farm of his father, and followed the pursuit of 
farmer and lumberman. He married Sally 
l-'uller, of Colche.ster, and had two children — 
Josiah, Jr., and Thomas. He was in early 
manhood fatally injured, and died while yet 
very young. His son, Josiah, Jr., was born 
at the old homestead, and received an educa- 
tion from the district school, after which he 
followed the river as lumberman, and assisted 
in the farm work. Later Josiah Gregory 
bought a farm in Colchester, and married 
Lottie Sutton, daughter of Caleb Sutton, of 
Hancock, by whom he had nine children — 
Sally A., Jeremiah, Sherman S. , Charlotte, 
John, Kdwin R., Peter, Jane, and James. In 
May, 1840, Josiah removed from Colchester 
to Tompkins, and bought his father's farm, 
where his son James J. still lives; and there 
he spent the last days of his life. 

Sherman S. , second son of Josiah Gregory, 
Jr., attended the district school and assisted 
about the farm until he was twentv-one, when 
he bought from his father the farm where he 
still lives. On November 11, 1848, he mar- 
ried Emily Jane Alverson, daughter of John 
and Jennie (Frazier) Alverson, of Tomjikins. 
The father of John was Jeremiah Alverson, 
one of the pioneer settlers of Delaware County, 
and a noted pilot on the Delaware. He was 
of English descent, and came from Dutchess 
County to the town of Walton while it was yet 
a wilderness. Mr. and Mrs. Gregory have two 
children, Adalinda and Dewitt C. The latter 
has been twice married, his first wife having 
been Rosy Squires, daughter of Henry and 
Nancy (Soules) Squires, by whom he had one 
child, Robert C. The second wife of Dewitt 
C. (Jregory was Nellie Jockett, daughter of 
William Jockett, of Cannonsville. She died, 
leaving one child, Nellie. 

Mr. Sherman S. Gregor_\' and his wife are 
members of the Baptist church of Cannons- 
ville, and prominent in church affairs. He is 
now serving his fifth term as Commissioner of 
Highways, and is largely engaged in farming 
and in dairying on an enormous scale, all his 



work being carried on by means of the most 
improved machinery. Mr. Gregory is a man 
of the times, interested in what is going on in 
the world to-day, progressive and enthusiastic, 
always ready to adopt new measures which 
shall improve the condition of nature or of 
man. On a neighboring page may be seen a 
very good likeness of this worthy citizen. 



W] 



ASHINGTON M. IVES, a prosper- 
ous farmer in Johnson Hollow, was 
born March 2, 18 19, in that part of 
the town of Windham, Greene County, N.Y., 
now known as Frattsville. His grandfather, 
Samuel Ives, was born in W^allingsford, 
Conn., and was descended from two of the 
"Mayflower's" passengers. He was engaged 
in farming in Connecticut, whence he re- 
moved to Greene County, settling at Lexing- 
ton, which was formed from Windham in 
18 1 3. He was a minute-man in the Revolu- 
tion, a Whig in politics, and a member of the 
Reformed church. He lived to a good old 
age, as did also his wife, Julia. Their chil- 
dren were: Samuel; Romie R. ; Daniel; 
Caleb; Julia, who became Mrs. Baldwin; 
Catherine, who married Mr. Ringe; Lola, 
who married John Ives; Betsey, who married 
Mr. Steele; Ann, who became Mrs. Page; 
Keziah, who married C. Mattoon; and Ahna, 
who married a Mr. Crooker. 

The eldest son, Samuel, was born in Con- 
necticut. He bought the farm in Prattsville 
now owned by D. W. Hyatt; and in 1826 he 
moved to Johnson Hollow, Delaware County. 
Here he engaged extensively in farming and 
lumbering, and lived until his death, at the 
age of eighty-four years. He was a Whig in 
politics, and was drafted in the \\'ar of 1812. 
His wife was Betsey I'airchild, daughter of 
one of the early settlers; and she died when 
forty-six years of age, a member of the Re- 
formed church. Their children were: Jona- 
than R., Samuel P., Washington M., Calista 
M., Nancy M., Alma C, Betsy A.. Helen M. 

Washington M. Ives attended the district 
school, and worked on the farm until twenty- 
five years of age. After the death of his 
father he purchased the interests of the other 
heirs in the old homestead, which comprised 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



533 



one hunilrod and tilty-six acres. In 1843 he 
married Harriet \. Meeker, who was jjorn 
May 28, 1822, dau-hter of I'hih) and (Jertriiile 
(Scott) Meeker, residents of Roxlnuy. Mr. 
and Mrs. Ives hail six chihh-i'n. namely: 
William, who was horn July iS, 1845, ^I'n' 
died February 22, 1851: i'hi'lo, who was horn 
February 18, 1847, and whose lirst wife, 
Alida Stevens, died, leaving one child, after 
which he married .Alida Laverick, by whom 
he had three children: Mary S., born Septem- 
ber 6, 1849. now the widow of William F. 
Fenn, of Prattsville, who died, leaving tive 
children; Homer M., who was born December 
7. 1 85 1, married Lucy Morgan, resides at 
Ohio, and has lost his wife and one child; 
John W., born November 5, 1853, who mar- 
ried Adella Chalfield, and is a machinist in 
Ohio; S. Parker, born November 3. 1S58, 
who married .Alma Tuttle. and lives at the 
old homestead with his wife and three chil- 
dren. Mrs. Ives died October I, 1890, a 
member of the Reformed church. 

Mr. Ives continued the industrv of farming, 
and erected the buildings now on his farm, 
which is situated in Johnson Hollow, and was 
the first to be settled in this section of the 
country. He has two hundred acres of land 
and twenty-five grade cows. He was Captain 
of the State militia, and is a Republican in 
politics. Mr. Ives is an energetic and indus- 
trious man, and his flourishing and well-man- 
aged farm shows the thrift and pros]K'rit\- of 
its owner. 




CHIA'LKR 1;. WOOD, a native of 
Sidne\-, is one of the young men of 
his town who has alreadv, before he 
has reached the prime of life. 
shown much promise as a successful man in 
his cho.sen vocation, and a useful and infiuen- 
tial citizen. He is of the fifth generation in 
descent from Joseph Wood, who was born 
January 25, 1755. ^^'i^' married March 16, 
1780, Mary St. John. They lived to a good 
old age, and had nine children, namely: Jo- 
seph, Jr., born February 22, 1781, who died 
1836; Caleb, born February 25, 1783, who 
died April 12 of the same year: Caleb, born 
July 29, 17S4; Mary W., born January 14, 



1787; I'.li/aortn, Durn July ,S, 17,^1; I..,vinia, 
born March 17, 1795: Henjamin, born August 
'3. '79-'^; Sarah, born December ,S, 1799: 
.Seely, born January 12, iSoi. 

Caleb married Abigail Hookhoiit, bom July 
S, 1782. They raise<l a family of st-ven cliif- 
drcn, namely: Jessie 1... borii |uly i), 181:17, 
died at an advanced age. I'anfina .\., born 
I-"ebruary 28, 1804, was the wife of A. I'atton; 
and both she and her husband have passed 
away. Mary St. John, b(jrn .August 2;, 181 1. 
was the wife of the late Solomon Robbins, and 
is no longer living. Belinda A., born l-Vb- 
ruary 25, 1816. died May 18, 1865, wife of 
-Seba Heach. Sarah K., born July 2, 1818, 
died October 1, 1880. wife of Collins Brown'. 
Seely K.. born July 2, 1822, resides in 
Galesburg, 111. Joseph R.. born September 
22. 1813, died November 23, 1892. 

Caleb Wood came to Delaware County from 
Connecticut early in the century, and bought 
land near Walton, the country then being ifew 
and unsettled, and so primitive that the road 
was marked by notches cut in the trees, the 
wagons which passe<l being so few in number 
that they did not make a sufficient track to 
direct the traveller. After clearing the 
greater part of his land, he sold it, and bought 
one hundred acres of timbered land near .Sid- 
ney Centre; and here he spent the rest (.f his 
lile with his wife and numerous family. Ik- 
was a member of the ancient Whig party, and 
a man of liberal religious views, far beyond 
his time. 

Joseph R. Wood, the second son of Caleb, 
spent his early manhood on the home farm 
until he had saved a sufficient amount of 
wealth to enable him to buy a farm of his 
own. On October i. 1840, he married Laura 
Lawrence, daughter of John B. and .Anna 
(Cook) Lawrence. .Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence 
were married November 15, 181 5, and came 
to this county aliout that time from the I^ast- 
ern States. Mr. Lawrence was a great rea<ler 
and somewhat of a scholar, being what is 
called a self-made man. and accumulating 
during his life considerable wealth. He was 
born May 18, 1794. and died I-"ebruarv 22, 
1869. Mrs. Lawrence was born September 
9, 1795, and died in 1S75. Joseph R. Wood 
and his wife were the parents of eight chil- 



534 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



dren: Spencer L., born June 26, 1841, who 
died September 2, 1844; Clark A., born Oc- 
tober 5, 1842, dying December 23, 1877; 
Victor D., horn April 21, 1844, who died 
September 24, 1863; John M., born March 4, 
1846, who died August 6, 1847; Bloomer C, 
born April 12, 1848, dying January 6, 1863; 
Francesca S., born January 25, 1850, who 
died November 7, 1865; Theron, born Jan- 
uary 5, 1852, who died October 20, 1865; 
Emery E., born January 27, 1857, who died 
January 4, 1863. Mr. Wood was a Republi- 
can, and was a Christian citizen much re- 
spected by all. His wife was a member of 
the Baptist church. 

Clark A. Wood, the second son of Joseph 
R., was born in the town of Sidney, and grew 
to manhood on the farm. Never having en- 
joyed good health, he was unable to leave the 
ways of his father and start in a new line of 
life, but was obliged to content himself with 
a district-school education. He was married 
at the age of twenty-one, on July 3, 1S64, to 
Sarah A. Beach, daughter of Seba and Belinda 
(Wood) Beach. Seba Beach was born in 
1804, and all his life was spent in faithful 
and satisfactory manual labor in the factories 
of his native State, Connecticut, where he 
died in 1874. 

The three children of Clark A. and Sarah 
A. Wood were: Schuyler E., born April 10, 
1868; Flora, born November 26, 1870, still 
at home; and John Merchant, who was born 
May 26, 1874, and died August 24, 1S87. 
Clark Wood resided on his father's farm until 
in 1876 he inherited the John B. Lawrence 
farm, which was originally a part of the fam- 
ily farm. After removing to this new home, 
he lived but two years; and on January 23, 
1877, his wife passed away at the old home- 
stead. He was a Republican and an attendant 
at the Baptist church, of which iiis wife was a 
member. 

Schuyler E. Wood was born at his grand- 
father's liouse, where so many members of this 
well-known family have been sheltered and 
nurtured. At the death of his parents he 
came into possession, together with his sister, 
of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent 
farm land, furnished with barns of recent 
build and a most comfortable house, which he 



now occupies. All this is known as the 
Joseph Wood and John Lawrence farm, and 
on it are kept twenty-two cows, besides much 
stock, dairying being the principal industry. 
Mr. Wood is a man of marked intelligence, 
and well read in all matters of daily interest. 
He is a stanch Republican, and one who it is 
hoped will do much in the interest of the 
principles he upholds. He is a member of 
the Baptist church, and is an active partici- 
pant in all the good works of his town. 



ISAAC HANMER was born January 24, 
1836, and has spent the greater part of 
his life in Delaware County, in the 
towns of Colchester and Andes, in the 
vicinity of Campbell Mountain. The grand- 
father of Mr. Hanmer was Isaac Hanmer, 
whose parents were natives of Wales. He 
was a ship-builder; and, while engaged in 
working at his trade on Lake Champlain, he 
met with his death when about thirty years 
old, leaving but one child, Robert M., the 
father of the subject of this sketch. After 
the death of her husband, Mrs. Isaac Hanmer 
married Henry Johnson, a native of Ireland, 
and with him came to the town of Colchester, 
Delaware County, in 1822. They bought a 
farm on Campbell Mountain, near the Camp- 
bell homestead, and lived to a good old age, 
at their death leaving eight children — John, 
Edward. Jane, Kate, Barna, Abbie, Mary, and 
Henry B. 

Robert M., when but ten years old, removetl 
with his mother to Delaware County from 
Dutchess County, where he was born, near Red 
Hook. He received a common-school educa- 
tion, and then started for himself on a farm 
on Campbell Mountain. After clearing the 
land, he put up substantial buildings, and 
continued throughout his residence on the 
mountain one of the most prosperous farmers 
in the vicinity. In 1S56 he sold his first 
farm, and went to Pepacton, where he engaged 
in mercantile business on the present site of 
the Tiffany Hotel. Five years later he 
moved to Union Grove, where he engaged in 
lumbering, running the lumber down the river 
to Philadelphia. He built a mill where Jen- 
kins's mill is now situated, and another one 




JOHN Clark. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



53S 



three miles up the creek on the location of 
Mr. Reed's residence. When failinj^ health 
would no longer allow iiini to engage in active 
business, he left his son in charge of his ex- 
tensive trade, and now lives a retired life in 
Union Grove, enjoying the fruits of his earlv 
toil. He and his wife are Presbyterians, and 
in politics he has been an active worker for 
the Republican party. He has held many 
town offices, among them being Justice of the 
Peace and Supervisor. He is a charter mem- 
ber of the Downsville Lodge, No. 464, A. F. 
& A. M. The wife of Robert M. Hannier 
was Margaret Lown, and they were married 
December 17, 1S33. She was the daughter of 
Herman D. an<l Harriet (Hart) Lown. Her 
father was a farmer, and had a family of five 
children — Sandy. David, Margaret, Julia, and 
Maria. Mr. Lown lived to be seventy years 
old, and his wife seventy-five. Mr. and Mrs. 
Robert M. Hanmcr were the jxarents of si.K 
children: Isaac, tlie subject of this sketch: 
Herman D., born June 24, 1838, who married 
Electa Hoffman, deceased, and is a farmer 
and lumberman in Virginia, having a family 
of nine children; also Robert R., Ann Maria, 
Julia M., and Adah M., all of whom now re- 
side near Union Grove, Delaware County, 
N.Y. 

Isaac Hanmer was born on Campbell Moun- 
tain: and, after receiving his education in the 
common schools, he taught school for eighteen 
years, and then settled at L'nion Grove, 
where in connection with his father he en- 
gaged in the lumber business, carrying on the 
saw-mills, and piloting the rafts down the 
river. He was for four vears in Virginia, 
engaged in lumber business, and, after return- 
ing home, started a cooperage on the Barker- 
boom Creek in Union Grove, and since that 
time has manufactured about twt) thousand 
firkins a year. 

In 1862 Mr. Hanmer married Jane Gregory, 
who died in the following year. She left one 
child, Jennie, born .April 12, 1863, who is 
now the wife of E. Laidlaw, of Middletown, 
and the mother of three children. In Febru- 
ary, 1864, Mr. Hanmer married Josephine 
Burhans, daughter of Philip and Helen (Wal- 
lace) Burhans, of Flatbush. Ulster County. 
Mr. Burhans carried on the fish business and 



farming, and was tlic l.aln.r o! six cluldren — 
George, Margaret, Cornelia, Serena, Joseph- 
ine, and Francis. The present Mrs. Hanmer 
is the mother of the following children: Mag- 
gie, born May 29, 1S66, who died May 26, 
1867; White G., born Xovcmlier 29, 1867, a 
cooper and carpenter at Union Grove; Hertha, 
born July 19, 1870, who died October 17, 
1876: Dora, born August 27, 1873, and 
Hamilton B., born April 12, 1880, both liv- 
ing at home. 

Isaac Hanmer responded to the call of his 
country in 1861, enlisting in the One Hun- 
dred and First Regiment, and was enrolled 
First Sergeant of Company E, being in ser- 
vice a year, when he was overtaken by a con- 
tagious disease, and was sent home to recover. 
His brother, Herman 1)., enlisted in the 
Third New York Cavalry in July, 1S61, antl 
was enrolled August 10. as First Lieutenant of 
Company E. I'our years he served faithfully 
for the Union, during which time he went 
through some thrilling experiences, and en- 
gaged in some of the bloodiest battles of the 
war. He is a member of the Phil Kearney 
Post, No. 10, Richmond, Va. 

Isaac Hanmer has for many years been a 
member of Downsville Lodge, No. 464, A. F. 
& .A. M., and is also a member of Arena 
Lodge, No. 589, Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. He has been Justice of Sessions, 
and has held the office of Justice of the Peace 
for more than twenty years, being still acting 
in that capacity. Through his vigorous ef- 
forts for the welfare of his town many im- 
provements have been brought about, and he 
has the respect of his fellow-citizens. 




,D1;R JOHN CL.ARK, a regularly or- 
dained minister of the old - school 
Ba[)tist cluirches of the Lexington 
Association of Delaware, Selioharie, Greene, 
and Ulster Counties, New York, is a highly 
respected resident of the village of Haleotts- 
\ille. He was born in Giiboa, Schoharie 
Count V. March 9. 1838. His grandfather was 
John B. Clark, of English descent, who came 
to Schoharie County from the town of Coey- 
mans, .Albany County, and settled in Giiboa 
on the place now owned by Willis Baker. 



5J^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



He finished clearing the land, and erected 
buildings thereon, but subsequently sold this 
farm, and moved to North -western Pennsyl- 
vania, near the present city of Meadville, 
where he resided until his death, at the ad- 
vanced age of fourscore, his wife, Eve, dying 
at about the same age, leaving three sons — 
Reuben, Alva, and Ira. 

The eldest son, Reuben, the father of the 
special subject of this sketch, was bom in 
Gilboa, October 24, 1804. His wife, Eliza, 
the daughter of Simeon and Esther Wright, 
was born November 19, 1807. Reuben Clark 
resembled his father in his early life, and 
began farming on the farm which the grand- 
father first settled. After a few years, how- 
ever, he disposed of this place, and purchased 
a small farm near by. He was not confined 
to farming, but was also a mechanic. He 
died November 29, 1870, his wife surviving 
him only a short time, dying May i, 1873. 
They had four children, — Lucy, Mary, Cyrus, 
and John. Lucy married M. D. L. Fox, and 
lives near Gilboa: issue, two children. Cyrus 
married Mar\- Tygett, living in Columbia 
County; issue, five children. 

John, the youngest, attended the common 
school, and on his twenty-fourth birthday, 
1863, was married to Jennie E. Hannah, 
daughter of Thomas and Sally Hannah, of 
Grand Gorge. He began farming on his 
father-in-law's farm, where he remained three 
years, and next bought a farm in Gilboa, 
which, however, he directly sold, and, buying 
one of M. A. Losa, near Broome Centre, 
Schoharie County, lived there three years. 
He then sold out, and purchased a farm of 
William Hagadom, near by, where he lived 
five years, selling in 1875 on account of the 
sad death of his wife, Jennie, which occurred | 
August 10, 1875. The issue of this marriage 
was one child, Ella, who was born July 24, 
1S69, and died December 15, 187 1. On Oc- 
tober 22, 1876, Mr. Clark married Julia M. 
Webb, widow of Linus Webb, and daughter 
of Joshua and Huldah Roberts, of Halcotts- 
ville. She had one son, Victor Webb, who is 
a teacher, and is now attending the Oneonta 
Normal School. From this marriage there 
have been three children: Foster Roberts 
Clark, born April 11, 1883, died in baby- 



hood; Isaac La Verne Clark, born March 22, 
1885; and Scott Hay Clark, born July 13, 
1889. 

After his second marriage Mr. Clark rented 
for two years the farm belonging to the 
Orrin Hewitt estate, near Halcottsville, and 
then moved to Halcottsville, where he lived 
one year. He next bought and occupied for 
fourteen years and one day a farm of two hun- 
dred and twenty acres on Sunny Side, which 
he stiU owns and rents. In the spring of 
1894 he moved to Halcottsville, and has built 
a neat cottage, intending to make it his per- 
manent residence, and devote his entire time 
to his ministerial duties. Both he and his 
wife are members of the primitive, or old- 
school Baptist, church. 

Mr. Clark was licensed in September, 
1880, to preach in the church at Gilboa, was 
ordained in June, 18S4, and is now pastor of 
Gilboa, second Roxbury, Schoharie, Middle- 
burg, Oliver, and Hurley churches. Elder 
Clark became a church member when twenty- 
six years old, but did not become a minister 
until over forty, his labors being, however, 
none the less effective, for, as Thomas Fuller 
has pithily remarked, "• Surely that preaching 
which comes from the soul most works on the 
soul." 



7::^HESTER BEERS is skilfully carry- 
I ^^ ing on mixed husbandry on his fine 
^J^s farm in the town of Walton. On 

this homestead, where he was bom 
December 22, 1842, he has spent his entire 
life, and, since he assumed its care, has 
added greatly to its improvement. He has 
placed the buildings in good repair, and in 
1S93 erected a new barn at a cost of eighteen 
hundred dollars, which for convenience and 
comeliness is not excelled in this vicinity. 
It is very capacious, being forty feet by sixty 
feet, with an L twenty feet by thirty-eight 
feet, and having twenty-two-feet posts above 
the large stone basement, wherein his horses 
and cattle are kept, the driv-eway for the hay 
and grain being fourteen feet above. Mr. 
Beers excels in making fine dairy butter and 
maple sugar, also in raising nice vegetables. 
Mr. Beers is of New England parentage. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



537 



his father, .Aaron Hours, having been born in 
Xewtown, Conn., August 7, iSoS, being a son 
of Zalmon Heers, also a native of that State. 
Zalmon was born in 177S, and was the onlv 
child of a patriot s(ddier who served in the 
Revolutionary War under General Washing- 
ton, and died from sickness at \'alley Forge. 
Zalmon Beers came to Delaware County in 
1815, bringing with him his wife and all of 
his children excepting Lyman, who remained 
with his uncle. Me took up one iiundred 
acres of timbered land in the town of Walton, 
near l-.ast Brook. lie was a stone-mason by 
trade, therefore did not give all his attention 
to farming. He died in old age at the house 
of his son, Albert G., at Rock Rift; and 
Hannah, his wife, died on Ivast Brook at the 
house of her daughter, .Sar.di A., a few years 
later. 

Zalmon Beers married Hannah M. Banks, 
and seven children were born to them; 
namel}', Lyman, Albert (j.. Hiram, Adelia, 
Drusilla, Sarah A., and Aaron. L\nian, the 
eldest, was a hatter in Daiibury. Conn., and 
had quite a family of children, nearlv all now 
deceased. .Vlbert G. was a farmer and lum- 
berman at Rock Rift. He reared seven chil- 
dren, of whom one daughter and two sons are 
now living. Hiram was engaged in farming 
near W'alton in his younger days, but after- 
ward removed to I'eiinsx Ivania. He reared 
two daughters and one son, and one of his 
grand-daughters has served with acceptance as 
School Commissioner. Adelia, who married 
James Goldsmith, a farmer, in .South Frank- 
lin, died at the age of thirty-six years, leav- 
ing two children. Drusilla, who died in 
1850, married Milton Sawyer, and the)' reared 
eight children. Sarah A., the only child 
now living, is eight\-three years of age, and 
ilraws a pension, her husband, Alfred Brad- 
ley, a brother of .Mrs. Aaron Beers, having 
been a faithful soldier in the War of 1S12. 

In regard to his uncle, Milton Sawyer, the 
following incident was told to Mr. Beers by 
an early settler a short time since: Fifty 
years ago dairymen in the neighborhood of 
I-last Brook used to take their butter in the 
fall to Catskill to market, always carrying 
l)rovision for the journey. Thomas Jamie- 
son on one occasion was about to start for 



Catskill with his butter, but had no meat 
to carry with him. Milton Sawyer, a great 
hunter, told him that if his son Roiiert would 
take his oxen and sled and go back int(j the 
wooils, near where William Tweedie now 
lives, he could have all the meat he would 
need. Robert accordingly went as directed, 
and in less than six hours returned with three 
fine deer. 

Aaron Beers chose the independent life of a 
farmer after his marriage, settling on a tract 
of wild land, containing one hundred and 
eight acres of timber, which, after many years 
of incessant toil, strict economy, and judi- 
[ cious management, he placed in a good state 
of cultivation. He was also enabled to pur- 
chase more land, so that his homestead, which 
is now in the possession of his son Chester, 
contains one hundred and eight\-three acres 
of as fine and productive laml as can be found 
in this region. I^efore marriage he returned 
to Connecticut to learn [jractical comb-mak- 
ing, which business was profitable only for a 
short time, when he came again to Walton. 
Iho maiden name of his wife was Paulina 
Bradley. .She was a daughter of Xehemiah 
and Esther (Cable) Bradley, natives of Con- 
necticut and jjioneer settlers of this countv. 
Their union was solemnized December 4, 
1841. at the residence of her brother on Ham- 
den Hill. .X slip from a contemporary news- 
l)aper, recently found on the ceiling of an old 
building, contains a notice of the event, giv- 
ing the name of the officiating clergvman. 
"Elder Wm. Cumings." Paulina Bradley 
Beers was one of six children born to her par- 
ents, the remaining children being .Alfred, 
who died at I-'ast Brook; Gershom H., who 
died in the prime of life, near Pinesville: 
William, who dieil in iSSi, aged seventv-five 
years, leaving a widow, now an octogenarian, 
living in Walton: Charlotte. Mrs. Charles X. 
Hart, who died a widow in Minneapolis, 
Minn., June 4, 1893, at the venerable age of 
ninety years; and Sally, who died when Hear- 
ing the age of threescore and ten years, the 
widow of Hezekiah Cable. Of the marriage 
of .Aaron Beers and his wife two children only 
were born - - Charles and Chester. Charles 
Beers was born February 22, 1845, married 
Mariett Soper in early manhood, followed the 



538 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



occupation of farming on Dunk Hill in the 
town of Walton for a few years, then went to 
Ida Grove, la., then to Rome, la., where he 
now lives. The father departed this life on 
September 29, 1887; and his widow, an un- 
usually bright and active woman of eighty- 
seven years, resides on the homestead with her 
son Chester. 

Chester Beers, who was always fond of his 
books, received a liberal amount of schooling, 
and, having completed his education at the 
Delaware Literary Institute, of Franklin, ob- 
tained a first-grade certificate, taught school 
in the winter, and worked on the farm in the 
summer season for twelve years, teaching one 
summer in Deposit. He is a farmer by 
choice, and on the parental homestead is con- 
ducting his agricultural interests with a wise 
and skilful hand and brain, being unusually 
prosperous in all of his enterprises, and has 
acquired a high rank among the thrifty 
farmers and representative citizens of the 
town. He was first married November 10, 
1873, to Janet R. Nichols, who lived less 
than two short years, dying August 13, 1875, 
without issue. On January 8, 1884, Mr. 
Beers was again married, his bride being Ida 
M. Taggart, of Beerston, being the daughter 
of the late Joseph Taggart, and his wife, 
Elizabeth (Orr) Taggart. Mr. and Mrs. Tag- 
gart were the parents of ten children, briefly 
named below : Nancy Jane, the wife of Her- 
bert Oles, mother of six children; Ida (Mrs. 
Beers); Joseph; Cora B. ; Charles; Emma, the 
wife of William Costello, mother of two chil- 
dren; John; and James. The four sons are 
unmarried, and make their home with their 
mother in Beerston. Two daughters, who 
grew to womanhood, are deceased, namely : 
lilla, who died at the age of twenty-two years; 
and Anna, the wife of Clement Northrup, 
who died in Littleton, Col., when but twenty- 
four years old, leaving two children. Mr. 
Taggart gave up the cares and burdens of this 
life and was gathered to his eternal rest in 
1884, being then seventy-three years of age. 
One child only has come to bless the home of 
Mr. and Mrs. Beers — ^ Clara Janet, who was 
born September 11, 1887. 

Mr. Beers is a man of strict integrity and 
strong convictions, and is held in high con- 



sideration in the neighborhood where he has 
spent his life. He is a man of large phy- 
sique and fine presence, being si.x feet four 
and one-half inches tall, and weighing two 
hundred and forty pounds, exceeding his 
father, who was a stalwart man, in height by 
one and one-half inches. He is a prominent 
member of the Grange, and, having been 
rocked in a Democratic cradle, still clings to 
the principles of the party to which he was 
born and bred. 



OMN P. BLAKELY, a prominent 
farmer of Kortright, was born in this 
town, June 18, 1845, son of James G. 
and Susan (McAuley) Blakely, both 
of whom were natives of the town. The 
father was born January 12, 18 10, and the 
mother, July 23, 181 3. James G. Blakely 
was a son of William, who was born in Wash- 
ington County, and moved to the town of 
Kortright in 1808, when quite a young man, 
purchasing a farm of about nine hundred 
acres. At the time of his advent in the town 
it was in a very primitive state, most of the 
land being covered with timber, requiring 
the expenditure of much energy and time to 
bring it under cultivation. This Mr. Blakely 
successfully accomplished. In addition to his 
farm he also kept a tavern, which was the 
first one in the town. He raised a family of 
nine children, all of whom grew to maturity, 
one, Mrs. Sarah Mitchell, being alive at this 
time. William Blakely died on the home- 
stead, aged seventy-four. In politics he was 
a Democrat. James G. Blakely was educated 
in the district schools of Kortright. He was 
a successful farmer and dairyman, owning a 
farm of three hundred acres, part of the old 
homestead. He and his wife, Susan, had 
eight children, five of whom are now liv- 
ing, namely : Mrs. Agnes Thomas, widow of 
John Thomas, residing in the town of .Stam- 
ford; William, Jennie M., and John P., all of 
Kortright; and Rebecca S., who resides at 
home. Mr. James G. Blakely died April 15, 
1882. 

John ]'. Blakely was educated in the dis- 
trict schools of Kortright and at the Stamford 
Academy, and then engaged in teaching for 



RIOORAPHICAI. RKVIRW 



'y> 



two terms. 1 Ic aftcrwaid (lc\()tc(l liis atten- 
tion to general farming, also making a spe- 
cialty of dairying, owning fifty head of cattle. 
Mr. lilakely is a man of progressiw ideas, 
anil has remodelled and im|)roved the farn) 
bnildings until the estate is second to none in 
the count)-. lie is a member of the West 
Kortright I'resbyterian Church, and in poli- 
tics is a Democrat. He has ne\er been prom- 
inent in politics, neithei- has he ever sought 
any public office. He is a man of great popu- 
larit)' with his fellows, and the t\'pe of an 
honest, intelligent, industiious. and well- 
to-do farmer. 




hlORCH W'KiliT, who is engaged in 
general farming and dair\'iag near 
DeLancey station, is one of the sub- 
stantial and trustworthy citizens of the town 
of Hanulen. He is the offspring of an an- 
cient Scotch family, and was born in the 
town of Delhi on .Scotch Mountain, where 
his parents settled on their arri\al in this 
country. 

John Wight, the grandfather of the subject 
of this sketch, was a nati\'e of Roxburghshire, 
-Scotland, where he spent man\' years of his 
long life in hertling sliee]). He married 
Ivleanor Middlemist, who bore him five sons 
and se\'eral daughters. Of the five sons, 
three — Matthew, Thomas, and ("icorge -- emi- 
grated to America, and became usetul and 
respected citizens. 'I'he mother of these chil- 
dren, outliving her husband several years, 
died in the town of Delhi, at the ripe old age 
of ninety-eight years, an<l was buried in the 
church-\ard cemetery of the first PresbyteriaTi 
church. 

George W'ight, ."-ir., was born in Roxburgh- 
shire, -Scotland, in i\Iarch, 1790. His wife 
was a native of Northumbi-rland County, V.ug- 
land, where their marriage was solemnized in 
1S17. The following year they with their 
first-born sailed fmm Liverpool for America, 
via Halifax, at which port the vessel was to 
load, therice to Boston, arriving at New York 
City, their point of destination, after a voy- 
age of six weeks. They came to Delaware 
County, w^hcre they bought one hundred and 
sixty acres of scantily improved lanil on 



.Scotch Mountain from Wiilow Cameron, wii..>. 
husband was one of (irahamVs victim>. H\ 
persevering .nid t')il anil bra\e endur.iuce they 
cleared their farm, and subseipiently bought 
two hundre<l and fortv acres more, making in 
all loui- lunulred acres. The father w.is a 
man ot more than ordinary intelliL;ence .and 
ability, and exercised gre.it intluence in Ih.- 
commnnit)' where he lived. He was also an 
honored IClder in the I'resbyterian church for 
many years. He and his good wife s|)ent a 
most hapin' weddetl life, and in their ileath 
were not separated, both being buried on tin- 
same day, in the year 1876, the mother being 
in her eightieth year, and the ilay of their 
burial being the eight\-sixth anni\ersary of 
the birth of the father. l-^leven children were 
born to them. 

The eldest, John 1... a retired farmer living 
in Andes, has been twice married, and of his 
nine children only three are living; the sec- 
ond, Betsy, who for many years took care of 
her parents, is still in the parental home- 
stead: the third, a daughter, died in infancv: 
the fourth, Robert, diecl March 7, 1876. aged 
fifty-one years, leaving two sons and two 
daughters; the fifth, I'^leanor, married John 
Holmes, of Colchester, and has had six sons 
and three daughters, six of whom are living; 
the sixth, William, a graduate of Jefferson 
College, Pa., and for many years thereafter a 
succi'ssful teacher, is living in Bernardston, 
.Mass., on a farm, and has one son and one 
(laughter, another daughter having die<l in in- 
fancy; the seventh, Margaret Ann. wife of 
William Hyniers, of HaiiKlen, has five sons 
and two daughters living, an infant having 
died; the eighth, Isabella, died at eighteen; 
the ninth, Jane, widow of John W. Smith, of 
Walton, has two sons and one daughter living. 
having lost four children: the tenth is 
(icorge, the subject of this sketch; thv 
eleventh, Thomas, a practising physician of 
Andes, has one son and three daughters liv- 
ing, and has lost two sons. 

In I S69 were solemnized the marriage vows 
of Mr. George Wight and Miss Kmma .\. 
Knowles, daughter of W. H. and Jane ( Mc- 
{•"arlane) Knowles, both natives of Hanulen. 
Her father is a farmer; her mother is of Scotch 
parentage. 



54° 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Y^TENRY G. CARTWRIGHT, editor 
I^J and proprietor of the Roxbury Times, 
|U I and a popular and influential citi- 

^■~"^ zen of this town, is descended from 
a well-known family of the name. His father 
was Dr. Cartwright, for many years a success- 
ful and prominent physician of Roxbury, who 
married Mary Mead. 

Mr. Cartwright was born in Roxbury, No- 
vember 13, 1S69. He was educated in the 
schools of this town and at Fort Edward In- 
stitute, later attending the Cortland Normal 
School, from which he graduated in 1887. In 
1889 he was page in the Assembly, and began 
corresponding for the Albany papers. He was 
later assistant in the post-ofifice at Hunter, 
Greene County, N.Y., but, having a taste 
for journalism, he purchased the Hunter 
P/icnix, a weekly paper of that town. This 
he edited for some time, and then sold it, 
being then employed by the Prudential Insur- 
ance Company. In April, 1891, he accepted 
a position as clerk with A. Cartwright, a 
leading merchant of Roxbury. Not being 
content with mercantile life, and wishing to 
return to his literary work, in April, 1892, he 
purchased of R. R. Hazard the Roxbury 
Times, whose circulation of six hundred has 
increased, under his able management, to 
over eleven hundred. Mr. Cartwright is a 
stanch Republican, and was a delegate to the 
State Convention at Syracuse, being the 
youngest member. Me is very active in all 
enterprises pertaining to the improvement and 
welfare of the village of Roxbury, and takes 
especial interest in educational matters. 



-OHN C. CARPENTER, a prosperous 
farmer and dairyman of Tompkins, 
N.Y., was born in Broome County, 
July 4, 1841. His father, Benjamin 
L. Carpenter, was a native of the same 
county, and resided there until 1856, when he 
removed to Delaware County, and purchased a 
tract of eighty-six acres of land, now included 
in the farm owned and occupied by the sub- 
ject of this biography. At the time of his 
purchase it contained a small plank house and 
a log barn. Buying interest in a saw-mill, 
Mr. Carpenter engaged in the lumber business 



in connection with agricultural pursuits. 
Here he lived until his death, at the age of 
sixty-one years. His wife was Sarah Hoag, 
daughter of Ezra and Charlotte Hoag; and 
she died when fifty-seven years of age, having 
reared five children — Nancy Russell, John 
C, and Charles W. Theressa, Mrs. Abram 
Moore, died February g, 1863; George L*. 
died January 14, 1864. 

John C. Carpenter attended the district 
school in his boyhood, and assisted his father 
in the care of the farm. In August, 1862, he 
enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and 
Forty-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, 
and served in the various campaigns in which 
this regiment was active. At the battle of 
Honey Hill he was wounded in the left arm; 
and, as this accident caused him to be unfit 
for service, he was honorably discharged 
March 30, 1865. He returned to his home, 
and in 1866 purchased the old farm, and 
leased a saw-mill, engaging in lumbering and 
farming. 

April II, 1867, Mr. Carpenter married 
Miss Mary C. Wood, and they are the parents 
of five children — Willie A., Lewis G., 
Francis L., Adelbert, and Annie E. 

Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter and four of their 
children arc members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, in which organization they are 
active workers. Mr. Carpenter is a Republi- 
can in politics, is a member of the Plasket 
Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Han- 
cock, and is highly respected in the town 
where he resides. 



LEXANDER NEISH, attorney-at-lavv, 
residing in the village of Walton, is 
a gentleman whose talent and cult- 
ure has gained him an honorable 
position in the legal profession, and placed 
him among the leading and influential citizens 
of Delaware County. Andes is the town of 
his birth, which occurred December 11, 1846. 
He is a descendant of respected pioneer set- 
tlers of this region, being a grandson of Alex- 
ander Neish, who was born in Crieff, Scotland, 
in 1779, and his wife, Jeannette (Drummond) 
Neish, also a native of Scotland. 

Several years after their marriage this 




niOGRAI'HICAI. KK.VIKW -.,, 

worthy couple emi>;i-ato(l to the riiitcd States, way iN-nnri, mm.i.^ m liuiMii^, 'mii..; 

brinyin^ with them tuiir children, laiulin<; in Marietta, married Henry A. Xeidi;;, liviiii; in 

New \'ork City after a three months" voyage. Andes. The parents are huth aeti\e and 

rurchasing horses and wagons, they came hearty people, and are esleenicd mcmhers dI 

through the intervening woods to the town of the Methodist church of .Andes. Inpoiiliis 

Ilamden, where they bought land, and carried John Neish is a wide-awake Republicin. 

on general farming on an extensive scale for .'\lexander Xeish was re.ireii upon the l.im- 

those days. Two more children were subse- ily homestead, gained the rudiments of hi, 

cpiently addctl to their househoKl circle. education at the district schoid, and ])ursueil 

Mrs. jeannctte Xeish died in February, 1.S64, a higher course of study at the Andes Colle- 

in the eight\-seventh \ear of her age, survived giate Institute. As many men now eminent 

only a lew weeks by her husband, who died in the various |)rofessions have done, Mr. 

when eighty-five years idd. The record of Neish began his career as ,1 teacher, and con- 

their children is as follows: James, wiio is tinned to exercise that calling fur threi- y.ars. 

now cighty-se\en years old, owns ami occupies lie then entered the office of W. II. Johnson, 

one of the hnest farms in Andes: he is a of Andes, and, after re;iding law with him for 

widower, his wife having died in I'ebruary, some time, was admitted to the bar in Mav, 

1894, when ])ast ninety years of age. John is 1869. The following month .Mr. Xeish 

the father of the subject of this sketch. .'\nn, opened an office in the village oi Walton, :ind 
the wife of Haskell 1'. W'ilher. resides in the | began the practice of his profession, in which 

village of W'alton. Mary, the widow of W'al- he has met with eminent and tlattering snc- 

ter Stott, lives at Livingston Manor. Will- cess. On the ist of January, 1894. he formed 

lam resides on the old homestead. Jeannctte, a partnership with John (i. More, the lirm 

the youngest, married Senator William Lewis, being known as Xeish & More. Aside from 

and both are now deceased. his legal duties iMr. Xeish tinds time to dc- 

John Neish, son of Alex;inder. was a \ouiig vote to the interests of his comnninilv, ha\- 

latl when he came to .Andes, but has some ing been President of the village of Uallon 

remembrance of the ihcary voxage across the for six years, and having ser\ed on the lioard 
stormy Atlantic. He mairicd Amelia M. ; of lulucation of Walton l^iion l-'ree School 

Barnhart, the daughter of Philip and Nancy eleven years, this school taking a high rank 
( Knapp) Barnhart, a native of Washington , among the schools in this section of the State. 

County. Mr. B;irnhart was born in the town Politically, he affiliates \\i''i tlu- jv.-nniili, ui 

of Andes, being a son of John and Lleanor ])arty. 

(Shaver) Barnhart, the latter of whom is said On April 11, 1S67, Mr. .\li-ii \\u.> nuirricd 
to have been the first white female child born to Miss Mary A. Hitchcock, the daughter of 
within the limits of Andes, to which place Lucius and the late Susan (Sweet ) Hitchcock, 
her father had come from Dutchess County. , who pas.sed from earth in I'ebruary, 1894. at 
The Shaver family were of Holland descent, the age of sixty-seven years, leaving her hus- 
and on removing to this county brought some band and three children. Mr. Hitchcock is 
wealth with them. At the time of an Indian a catpenter by trade, and an esteemed resident 
outbreak thev hid a kettle of silver in a bin- of Oneonta. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
nacle, and were never afterward able to find : Neish four children have been born: the eld- 
it. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. John Neish est, Mora M., a talented young lady and an 
six children were born: one son died in in- accomplished musician, was married to V. .\. 
fancy; another, Philip, who was a lawyer by St. John, October 11. 1S94, and settled in 
profession, was admitted to the bar in Iowa, Walton village: Lillian LaSalle, who. like 
and subsequently dietl at the age of thirty- her sister h'lora, was a graduate of the Walton 
four years, leaving a wife and children ; Juli- High School, also pursued her musical stud- 
ana, the wife of 6. G. Ilendrix, lives in Wal- ies at the New luigland Conservatory of 
ton village: Alexander, also of Walton, is .Music, Boston: Alexander J., a youth of six- 
further nientioned below; Bvron \'.. a rail- , teen years, is in school, preparing for college : 



S42 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Albert P., the youngest child, is a fine lad 
of nine years. The parents are sparing 
neither time nor expense in educating these 
children to become self-reliant men and 
women, with a definite place in this busy 
world of ours. 



ISAAC HARDENHURGH, late of Ro.x- 
bury, NA'., wa.s the last male descend- 
ant of his family possessing the old 
homestead in Delaware Count}. He 
was a great-grandson of Johannes Hardenburgh, 
of Rosendale, Ulster County, the patentee of 
the Hardenburgh Patent, which was granted 
April 20, 1708, the lands having been pre- 
viously purchased of the Indians. The title 
was confirmed, it is said, by three govern- 
ments — the Dutch, English, and United 
States. After the Revolution it was found 
that the monuments were lost ; and an act, 
passed March 29, 1790, appointed Charles 
Tappen and James Cockburn commissioners 
to make a survey of certain lines, to be prop- 
erly marked by stone heaps every two miles 
along the division lines. The grant was 
divided into great tracts, numbered from one 
to forty-two. The number of acres in the pat- 
ent is not known. It lies within the bounda- 
ries of Ulster, Sullivan, Greene, and Delaware 
Counties. 

An elder Isaac, son of Johannes, came to 
the town of Ro.xbury in 1791, journeying by 
the way of Saugerties, through the gorge, up 
the mountain, to Tannersville, and down the 
Schoharie Kill, by marked trees and Indian 
trails. He was a man of vigorous physique, 
was possessed of a considerable amount of legal 
knowledge, and always dressed in Colonial 
style. He married Rachel Graham, of New 
York City, and became the father of seven 
children — Frances, Lewi.s, Margaret, Eliza- 
beth, John, Catherine, and George. He built 
the old stone house in the basement of which 
was kept the first store in the town of Rox- 
bury. Later he removed to Catskill, where 
he died on January 15, 1822. As was the cus- 
tom among the wealthy people of that day, he 
kept a number of slaves ; and they were very 
eager to come to this land of promise, the 
maple-sugar country. 



Lewis, the eldest son of the first Isaac, was 
born in 1783, was married July 20, 1806, to 
Agnes Laraway, and came into possession of 
the homestead. Lewis was a very active and 
energetic man. He had made many improve- 
ments in his lands, and had planned many 
more, when he was suddenly taken away by 
the hand of death in 1838, at the age of fifty- 
five years, leaving a wife and six children — 
Ann Eliza, Katie Maria, Rosina, Martin, 
Isaac, and Addison. 

Isaac, second son of Lewis and Agnes Har- 
denburgh, was born November 2, 1827, at the 
old homestead in the town of Ro.xbury, and at 
his father's death came into possession of the 
property. He was a large, powerfully built 
man, of a genial and happy disposition and of 
a noble heart. His mental endowments were 
superior: he was a deep and accurate thinker, 
and all his life bore a reputation for sterling 
integrity. Two old servants, Jack and 
Deyona, husband and wife, who had been 
slaves of his father, were cared for by him to 
a good old age. The death of Isaac Harden- 
burgh occurred March 16, 1889, and was an 
event deeply mourned by the entire commu- 
nity. Mr. Hardenburgh was united in mar- 
riage September 29, 1881, to Mary Shoe- 
maker, of Roxbury, Delaw-arc County, N. ^^ , 
a capable, thrifty, and energetic woman, who 
looked well after his comfort in his declining 
years. One little daughter, Agnes, named for 
Mrs. Hardenburgh's mother, was born October 
17, 1885. 

This sketch of the Hardenburgh family has 
been kindly contributed to the "Review" by 
Mr. Hardenburgh' s niece, Miss More, of New- 
ark Valley, Tioga County, N. Y. The accom- 
panying portrait of Isaac Hardenburgh will 
be recognized with pleasure by all who were so 
fortunate as to have his personal acquaintance. 



/3)eORGE W. ROBINSON, a well- 
\ '•) I known and enterprising dealer in 
— c\ery description of market vege- 
tables, of the town of Walton, was born near 
this place, December 25, 1832, son of James 
and Elizabeth (Case) Robinson. John Robin- 
son, father of James, was a native of Scho- 
harie County, where he was one time engaged 




Isaac 



nURC. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



5 1.'; 



in the mamifacturo of wagons. Ik- afterward 
moved to Walton, where he continued his busi- 
ness up to the time of his death. lie left nine 
children; namely, Iliram, James. (;eori,fe W. , 
William, Edward, Charles, Nancy M., Re- 
becca, and Delia. James Robinson was reared 
to agricultural jjursuits. He married a 
daughter of Huel and Abigail Case; and at the 
time of his early death, which took place when 
he was but thirty years of age, he left the fol- 
lowing family : Cicorge W. , Lyman, and Jane. 
Mrs. Robinson died in 1863, at the lionu- of 
the subject of this sketch. The father of Mrs. 
Robinson came from Connecticut, and settled 
as a farmer in this State. 

George W. Robin.son, being but si.\ years 
old when his father died, spent his earlv years 
under the care of his grandfather. lie at- 
tended the district school, and afterward 
managed the farm and took care of his grand- 
parents until their death. He then exchanged 
that farm for another, and, after Ii\ing thereon 
for eighteen years, mo\ed to his jiresent loca- 
tion in 1887. Here lie purchased a lot, upon 
which he erected a fine dwelling. His first 
i)nsiness ventm-e in Walton was in the ice 
business. Continuing at that for f<iur \eais, 
he afterward went into the raising of market 
vegetables on a large scale, having an exten- 
sive trade. 

Mr. Robinson was married Decembei' 30, 
1856, to Miss .Sarah J. C,n\y. a daughter of 
Charles and .Sarah (Hutler) (ira). Mrs. Rob- 
inson has the following brothers and sisters: 
Angelina, Marcu.s, hlrastus, I':iiphet, and 
(ieorgc. The grandfather of Mrs. Robinson 
was one of the early settlers of Walton, coming 
here in 180S. He was a soldier of the Revo- 
lutionary period. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson 
have the following children; James .A., who 
has two children; Charles, married to Miss 
Ilattie Wakeman, has one child, |osephine, 
and is a carpenter residing in Walton; Ira, 
married to Harriett Berry, has one chihl — 
William; Herman, residing in Montana, en- 
.gaged in business as a i)utchcr ; .Addie, mar- 
to (leorge h". Robinson; and l.ibbie, who 

.Mr. RobinsoTi 
9, A. I-. & 



ried 

is engaged as a dressmaker. 

is a member of Lodge \o. ;,-, 



a Repuhli.,,01 m pnimes, aim lia.-, I,een .\sses 
sor for twelve years. Mrs. Robinson is ,, 
member of the Methodist chinch. Mr. Rob 
inson is a man comm.inding the ulrnoNt re 
sped, not only in his i)Usiness, but in his 
private life, and has siiown himself to !„• 
worthy of the public confir|en< c. 




I .S4 : . 
ham I 
Both 



•■-'•\.M I.. Will 11-; was Ix.rn on 
the larm on which he now li\es, on 
the fourteenth dav of |-"ebruarv. 
His parents, Robert and .\nna (Cra- 
White, caiiie to America in i8:;4. 
were natives of regions indissohiblv con- 



\ears 

owed for 

comini: to .America. 



A. M., of Walton, of which organization he 
has occupied the position of Trustee. He is 



nected with some of the most romantic and 
pathetic episodes in Scottish historv. 'I"he 
father was horn in Ayrshire, Scotland; the 
mother, in .Montrose. Robert White was a 
carpenter by trade, and was a skilled joiner, 
having served an ajiprenticeship of fi\ 
in .Scotland. This trade he d 
twenty-five years after 

In 1837 he bought a farm of fifty acres, which 
he enlarged by different purchases from time 
to time. Here he died Ajiril 5, 1 861). at the 
age of sixty-eight years. His wife survived 
him twenty-four years, reaching the advanced 
age of ninety-four. Both husband and wife 
were devout and earnest members .if the 
I'nited Presbyterian church. Robert White 
was a strong and faithful .advocate for and 
defender of Republican principles. Of the 
nine children born to the Scotch coujile h\x- 
are now living, namely: John (;.. a farmer in 
Mount Hope, Wis, ; Jane, the wife of John I). 
\'an Aikin, a farmer in Walton; Anna, the 
wite ot John (I. Thom[ison. a farmer and 
laborer in Bovina; William I... the subject 
of this memoir; Alexander, a farmer in Belle 
riaine. la. James died at eighteen vears of 
age, and Mary and Robert died in infancy. 

William L. White spent his bovhiiod <in 
the farm where he was born, and received the 
foundation of a good, plain education in the 
district schools, afterward attending the Col- 
legiate Institute of .Andes for four terms, 
where he fitted himself for a teacher. During 
the long winter months he taught school, and 
through the summer vacations he did car- 
penter's work. He taught for six terms in 



546 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Delaware County, and was for two terms 
l'rinci])al of the Cannonsville Migh School, 
where he had an attendance of ninety-five 
pupils. In 1.S69 he came into ])ossession of 
his father's estate, since wjiich time he has 
turned his eneroies toward agricultural pur- 
suits and stock raising and dealing. He has 
been somewhat largely engaged in buying and 
selling Western hor.ses, five carloads of which 
he has made advantageous disposition oi since 
1890. I'nder his management his patrimony 
has been considerably augmented, and the 
farm boundaries have greatly extended. The 
While farm being adapted for a grazing farm, 
jMr. White keeps a herd of forty-eight cattle, 
and has been eminently successful in breeding 
Jersey dairy stock. The dairy is remunerative 
to its owner and .satisfactory to its patrons. 
The average number of pounds of butter per 
head for 1892 was two hundred and eighty- 
three, the quality of which was as fine as its 
quantity was phenomenal. 

Mr. White is in the communion of the 
United Presbyterian church at Hovina Centre, 
and has always been a stanch Republican. 
For ten years he has held the office of Justice 
of the Peace, and was in 1891 and 1892 Super- 
visor. Many minor offices ha\e taxed the 
time and energies of this bu.sy, practical man, 
who has, nevertheless, found himself able to 
discharge them satisfactorily to those who 
intru.sted the (kities to his hand, and without 
detriment to his personal work and interest. 
His many friends wish for him the best things 
that can offer. He enjoys the respect and es- 
teem of his fellow-beings, and the worldly 
pros|ierit\' that his efforts deserxe. 



.\MI-:S J. GRI':(;()R\', one of the worthy 
descendants of the stanch jnonecr, 
Timoth\' Gregory, who founded Creg- 
oi-\town, was boin in Tomjikins, 
Delaware County, May 11, 1843. Josiah 
Gregory, father of James, was born in the 
adjacent town of Colchester on March 29, 
1797, and after a useful and successful life 
died l-'ebruary 15, 1886, and was buried in the 
family lot in Granton, having retained to the 
last all his faculties. His wife, whom he 
married July 4, 1819, was Viletty Sutton. 



She died April 6, 1874. They had eleven 
children: Jeremiah S. , born January 25, 1821, 
died August 14, 1822; .Sally .Ann, born June 
15, 1822, died (Jctober 15, 1885; Jeremiah 
T. , born June 17, 1824, is Poor Master of the 
town, and resides in Cannonsville (a further 
histor)' of this gentleman may be found in an- 
other part of this volume) ; -Sherman .S. was 
born I'ebruary 20, 1826, and his sketch, 
together with a further history of the (iregory 
family, may al.so be found in another jxart of 
this work; Charlotte, born July 22, 1828; 
John P., born .September 29, 1830; Edwin R. , 
born October 9, 1833; Peter W. , born No- 
vember 15, 1835: Loomis M., born A])ril 21, 
1838, was drowned May 7, 1848; Jane C, 
born January 23, 1841. All of the above 
were born in Colchester, while James J., who 
is under consideration in this sketch, was born 
in Tompkins. 

James J., after a common-school education, 
succeeded his father in the lumber business, 
and bought also the homestead farm, which he 
now carries on. This farm has been in the 
family for half a century;- and many arc the 
relics of the red men and of troublous times 
that have been found about the place and are 
in the possession of Mr. Gregory. It has an 
Indian orchard, and a tract where the abo- 
rigines cultivated their corn. 

On January 26, 1870, Mr. James J. (iregory 
was married in Franklin to Anna l-",liza Chil- 
son, a nati\e of Hamden. She was daughter 
of Harvey and Betsey (Hailey) Chilson. Har- 
vey Chilson's father was Timothy Chil.son, a 
descendant from one of the old Puritan fami- 
lies of the \ew England States. He came 
to Hamden in the early part of this century 
from Vermont, bringing his family with him, 
and for some years operated a grist-mill near 
his new home. Later in life he returned to 
Vermont, and, while crossing Lake Cham- 
plain, was the victim of a fatal accident, and 
was drowned. His wife survived him many 
vears, jiassing the latter part of her life with 
her children in Michigan. Harvey Chilson, 
father of Mrs. Gregory, received his education 
in Hamden, and learned the mason's trade, 
lie married, in 1844, Betsey Bailey, daughter 
of Edward and Mary (Wheaton) Bailey, from 
Oueen.stown, Canada. She was of English 



RIOGRAPHTCAI, RF.VIFW 



V»7 



descent on the IlTiley side, and (iernian im 
the Wheaton side. Luther Hailev, i^reat- 
grandfather lit Mrs. (Iregnrv. was a t'aplain in 
the British army during;- the l-"rench ancl Indian 
War, and for distini;iiished servit-es at tiiat 
time was f;i\en h\- tlie liiitisli i;ii\ernment a 
large tract ni huid in what is now the I'nited 
States, and situated somewhere west of Xew 
\'ork State. Tliis ch'iim was never taken up, 
as the Cajitain was soon after killed while de- 
fending I-^irt Detiance; and his onlv child, 
lulward, remcned with the widowed motliei- 
to Canada. llar\e\ (hilson enlisted in tlu' 
One Hundred and l-"iirty-fonrth J'Jegiment of 
the .Xew \'ork X'olunteers, and served in the 
late war for nearl\ three wars, being then dis- 
charged foi- disability. .After the wai' he 
settled in Michigan and took a soldiei's grant 
of government land near Whitehall, Muskegon 
Count)'. He there successfulh' engaged in 
farming. He had four children Mar\', Anna 
Kliza, Ivlihu, and Matthew E. Mr. and .Mrs. 
James J. (jregor\' ha\e one child, Hcrlha Ii. , 
born March 3, i''^74, who is now being edu- 
cated at the I leposii .\cadein_\'. .Mr. (iregorv, 
following the precetlent of his family, is 
an able and industrious farmer, caii'ving into 
effect all the jirinciplcs brought down to him 
from the past, improNed and supplemenleil b) 
the moi'c advanced views of the jiresent. 




I,i:X.\\l)i:k Si;.\RI.];.S, of Sidney. 
is prol)abl\' the oldest resident ol 
Delaware C"ount\', and is oiu' ol the 
most ies]K-cted. He was born Xo- 
vemlier 7, 1 Soo. in the town ot 1-iedtord, West- 
chester Countv, X.\'., and so is within less 
than six years of being a centenarian. His 
l)arents were Roger Searles and his wife, 
E.sther Baker, of Westchester County. The 
former was a farmer and dealer in li\e stock, 
and lived to a good old age. His remains rest 
in the cemetery at l'"latbush. Kings County, 
X. \'. ; while the mother, who died in middle 
life, was burietl at Catskill. Tiiey had a 
typical pioneer familv of eight sons antl three 
daughters, all of whom save one (Esther) 
arrived at maturity, but have now, with a 
single exception (Alexander, abo\e named), 
passed to the lile beyond. 



Having iieen Iraineil to f;irn) work in bux 
hood, absorbing whatever knowledge 1 ould be 
obtained in the district sehonls ol the tiim 
and locality, .\lexan<le|-, .at the a,i;i; i.| ri;;h 
ti'cn, in compan\ with his brother Lewis, wini 
lo work at the tailur's trade in Westt-i lo. 
Albany Count)'. ,\flt-r obtaining a ihorou-li 
insight into the tailoring business, In- came t<i 
JM'anklin, wheie he w;is for fortv vears i-ni 
ploved in working at his tr.ide. in 1X6; he 
purchased three hundred and (wenl\' .'icres dI 
land in the town nf .Sidne\, on the site of the 
present \illage of that name. This land he 
great!)' im|)ro\ed, and sold it in 1S71, much of 
the present village of .Sidne\' having been 
built upon it since that time. About seven- 
teen )ears ago .Mr. .Searles moved to his pres- 
ent Imnu' on Libertv .Street, although he has 
been a resident of the village for about thirlv 
ye, US, leading a retiii-d life, and (.'njoving the 
comi)elence he had ;iccnmulaleil bv maii\ pre- 
vious )'ears of hard labor. 

Mr. Searles was married, at the age uf 
twentv-fi\e, to Lliza Dean, of Meredith, 
daughter of Xalhaniel Dean, whose wile was 
a membei' of the I'orter familv of that |)hue. 
The marriage was a happ\ one: and si\tv-h\e 
\ears ot loving companionship glided almost 
imperce])tiblv awa\. until Mrs. .Searles was 
called to anolln'r life l)v llie silent messenger 
of death. \lur demise occurred I-"ebruarv \o. 
I .S90, when she was in her eightv -seventh 
vear. -She was a faithful wife and ni'ithci', 
and was ever active in works of Christian 
charitv. ( )f the four children horn to Mr. 
and Mrs. .Searles, but one is now living, 
I'orter D., who was born J mie 1''). 1.S3S. ( )ne 
son died in iiifancv. Helen, who became 
the wife of William T. Bradford, died Mav 
36, I <S<Sc), at the age of sixt\'-one. .\nd an- 
other daughter, .Sarah, died Se|)teniber S, 
I S46, when but nine )ears ol a.LCe. 

I In earlier years Mr. .Searles was a memljer c.| 
the Xew \'ork .State militia, and rose from the 
ranks to the office of Major. In spite ol his 
great age, he still retains possession ol all his 
faculties; and few men as old as he can boast 
of better health or fewer infirniities. Like 
a sturdv oak, he has weathered the storms 

j of mail) winters; and. with an almost phe- 
nomenal memorv, he can look back and Iron 



548 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



the scenes and events of his earlier years 
draw forth for the benefit of the younger gen- 
eration many interesting reminiscences and 
characteristic anecdotes. The vigor of his 
green old age may be in some measure ascribed 
to the fact that he has all his life been a man 
of singular temperance, having always ab- 
stained from the use of tobacco and alcoholic 
drinks, though in his early days total absti- 
nence was a thing almost unknown, and drink- 
ing habits the rule among all classes. It 
would be well for the younger generation if 
Mr. Searles's example were more widely imi- 
tated. It is not impossible that he may live 
to be pointed out with local pride as "the 
centenarian" of Delaware County, and thus 
see the dawn of a new and glorious century, 
full of hope and promise to the children of 
men. 



-OHX K. NI-:\VK1RK, of Ro.xbury, 
X.\'., a prominent business man and 
citizen of that place, is descended from 
a very old family of "genuine Knicker- 
bockers," his early ancestors having come 
from Holland and settled in \ew York nearly 
two and a half centuries ago. His great- 
grandfather, Dr. Jacob Xewkirk, who was of 
the fifth generation of Newkirks in this 
country, was born in lister C'ountx', X.\'., 
March 17, 1750. He was one of the first 
physicians in the place, and was very success- 
ful in his profession. The last years of his 
life were spent in Greene County, where he 
died in 1833. In I77<S he married Anna 
Person, and had two children — a daughter, 
Catherine, who married Abram A. Salisbury; 
and a son, John Person Newkirk, who was 
i)orn in Creene County, A]3ril 30, 1780, in 
the midst of the Revolutionary War. John P. 
Xewkirk was a physician and a merchant; and 
throughout his life he was, like his father, 
a member of the Dutch Reformed church. 
When he was twent\-two years old, he con- 
tracted marriage with Catherine Salisbury, 
who bore him these children; namely, .Abram 
Hasbrouck, Jacob, Ann, Catherine, William, 
Caroline, Mary, and Harriett. His death oc- 
curred February 17, 1855; but his wife sur- 
\ived him eleven years. 



Jacob Newkirk, the second son of Jf)hn P. 
Newkirk, was born in Catskill, Creene 
County, February 22, 1806. Like his grand- 
father, whose name he bore, he chose the med- 
ical profession, and was very successful in his 
practice. He studied with the famous Dr. 
King, of Cairo, N. V. More than si.\ty years 
ago Dr. Jacob Newkirk, second, commenced 
his practice in Ro.xbury, where he remained to 
the day of his death. He was always a very 
prominent citizen, growing up with the town, 
and identified at all times with its progress. 
When he settled here, the district was little 
more than a wilderness: no roads had been 
thoroughly cleared, and his patients lived 
some distance apart. His first visits were 
made on foot or on horseback, conditions 
under which few physicians of the present day 
have to labor. Sometimes called in the mid- 
dle of the night, and obliged to ride several 
miles through rain or snow to attend an urgent 
case, his profession was no sinecure. Yet he 
lived to a good old age, being eighty-eight at 
his death, which occurred August 13, 1894. 
His wife was Deborah M. Burhans. They 
had two children, one of whom, William S. 
Newkirk, is now dead. 

John E. Newkirk, the surviving son of Dr. 
Jacob and Deborah Newkirk, was born January 
15, 1838. He received an e.xcellent education 
at Roxbury Academy and Delaware Institute, 
where he was graduated. At the age of eigh- 
teen he accepted a position as clerk for Mr. 
H. Burhans. After holding this position two 
years, he started a hardware business with his 
brother William, buying the establishment of 
Edward Burhans ; and for six years they car- 
ried the business on under the name of J. K. & 
W. S. Newkirk. At the end of that time he 
bought out his brother's share, and has since 
run the establishment alone, except one year 
in which his son was a partner. He has built 
up a flourishing business, and has a large 
patronage. In addition to his hardware busi- 
ness, he also has an extensive ]:>lumbing 
trade, and has a large tin-shop. 

He married Sarah C. Harter, of Herkimer 
County, where her father was a well-to-do 
farmer, who has since retired. Mrs. Sarah C. 
Newkirk died at the age of thirty-four, leaving 
five children, namely : Frank H. Newkirk, who 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



549 



is a train-dispatcher on the West Shore Rail- 
road; W'illiam, wiio lives in Nebraska, where he 
is engafjed in a pros])erous insurance business; 
Jane, who married Mi'. II. C. I,on_i;\ear, and 
now li\es at Fine Ilill, in Lister Count\' ; and 
Minnie and Marj;aret, wlio li\eat home. Mr. 
Xewkiik has three grandchiUlren : John |acob 
Newkirk, son of l-"rank II. Xewkirk, who mar- 
ried I'lorence Fisher; and b'rank II. and 
Sarah D. Longyear, the children of his daugh- 
ter Jane. 

Since the death of his tirst wife Mr. New- 
kirk has married again, his second wife being 
Josephine Mc(iregor. the tlaughter of John 
Mctjrcgor, formerh- of llobart, N.\'. .Mr. 
Newkirk is a life-long Uemocrat, and has 
held the offices of Super\isor and Town L'lerk 
in Roxburv. He beh)ngs to sexeral orders 
and lodges, is a prominent Mason, and is one 
of the most ])opular and res])ected citizens of 
the town. Mrs. Newkirk is a communicant of 
St. Peter's Church (Ei)iscopal) in llobait. 




[eJT^AL.MoN II.XRKISON M.\lIli;\V 
S()N is a highl\- intelligent farmer 
of the town of Mason\'ille, a man 
who reads thi.- papei's and takes a 
keen interest in matters and events of the 
dav, especialh' in things that make for social 
])rogress and indi\idual iniprovenient. His 
native place was McDonough, Chenango 
Countv, N.\'.. where he was born Se|)teniber 
22, 1826. His parents. Daniel and Sarah 
(Darling) Mathewson, were born in Rhode 
Island, in the town of (iloucester, since called 
Hurrillsville. J(ishua Mathewson, his i)ater- 
nal grandfather, was the son of an earlv 
settler of Rhode Island, who li\'ed to the rare 
cdd age of one hundred and three years and 
nine months. Joshua was a farmer, and ownetl 
seven hundred acres of "Little Rhody's'" few 
thousaiuls, and was accounted a man of wealth 
in his da\-. His liomestead was in Buirills- 
\ille, where he died at an atl\anced age. ha\'- 
ing reareil si.\ children. In religion he was 
liberal. 

Daniel Mathewson owned a small farm in 
Hurrillsville, where he married and had a 
famil\- before he decided to move westwaril. 
He came with his wife and children to 



Chenangci tcmnlv, .\i-u \oik, .iiioiu rp ii[\ 
eight \ears ago, making the trip with a co\ 
ered wagon, a pair of horses, ami a \uke of 
oxon, bringing their household goods and pro 
visions, and dri\ing a cow. Thes tarried a 
little while at Norwich before conuiig lo 
.McDonough, where ihev settled. .Mr. Ma 
theuson bought about two hun(he<l acre--. 
About one-tenth was cleare<l, the rest in a 
wild state and for the most part thickh' 
wooik-d. and abounding in bears, deer, and 
smallei' animals, also wolves, whiih were far 
too numerous for the comfort and safet\ ol 
domestic towls and animals without the 



greatest precaution. I 
Norwich and ( )xford. 
thrifty woodsman, anc 
])urpose, clearing his 



be nearest market w.is 

.Mr. Mathewson was a 

used his axe to good 

land, disjxising of the 



timber b\ binning it in |)iles and maiuifactur- 
ing |iotash ot the ashes, which he bartered foi 
merchandise. '{"lie stores as well as the mill 
to which the grain nnrst Ije carried to be 
ground were at a great distance from the 
home. 

.Mr. Mathewson died in 1.S32, at sixtv-eiglu 
vears of age. His wile, sur\i\ing him nine 
years, dietl in 1861. at se\"ent_\-eight. .She 
was in earl\ life in Rhode Island, ami also in 
.New Ndrk, a member of the l-'ree Will ]5aptist 
church; while her husband was a L'niversalist 
in religious belief. In ])olitics he was a 
Whig. Their ten children grew to maidiood 
and womanhood. Three of them are now li\- 
ing, namelv ; Mesta]iha Mathewson, a retired 
farmer in the town of Cortland, Cortland 
Countv, N. N. ; .^. Harrison Mathewson, a 
farmer in .Masonxille; Lclihla I-"ieeman, 
widow of the late I'itz Henr\- ]-"reeman, lives 
in Montague, Mass. Julia i{. Haldwin ilied 
in 1X72. Hope died at thirtv-four years of 
age; Daniel I', died at sixty-four years: 
Mar\ I-'ranklin died at thirty-nine; Thomas J. 
dieil at sixtv-se\en \ears; Windsor died July 
3, I'S":;; and Russell R. was killed while 
liunbering in Cameron, Steidien County, au'ed 
thirt\-six years. 

S. Harrison Mathewson received hi> ^.i 
nientar\' education in the tlistrict schocd at 
McDonough. ar.d afterward |nirsued more ad 
v^mced studies in select schools, anil in the 
Norwich Acadenn. He lived at home with 



55° 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



his parents, assisting his father in farm work 
when nut attending school, till nineteen years 
old, when he began life on his own account by 
working out on the farm of Mrs. Hatchelor, of 
McUonough, for four months at nine dollars 
l)er month. After a year of work as a farm 
laborer, he went to Rhode Island and engaged 
himself to Messrs. Eddy and Jes.se Potter, con- 
tractors and builders, to learn the carpenter's 
trade. He remained with them si.\ years, re- 
ceiving for the first year seven dollars per 
month and board, and in the latter part of the 
time having full wages of a skilled mechanic. 
Returning to McDonough, he there followed 
his trade for five year.s. He also in that time 
took to himself a wife. The following year, 
in the spring of 1857, they removed to Dela- 
ware County, and on April 3 took up their 
abode on the farm in Masonville, where he 
has continued to live to the present day. To 
his original purchase of one hundred and 
twenty-six acres he has added fifty-si.\, making 
one hundred and eighty-two in his home farm. 
Besides this he owns fifty acres in Tompkins. 
That Mr. Mathewson has been unwearied in 
his imi)rovements in the thirty-seven years in 
which he has occupied his homestead is evident 
from the fact that he has summoned his neigh- 
bors no less than twelve times to assist in 
"raisings." I'he number and excellence of 
his buildings abundantl\' attest his skill in 
carpentry. He keeps a dairy of about twenty 
head of native cattle, and is a shareht)lder in 
the (). K. Creamer)-, in which he has one- 
fourth interest. 

Mr. Mathew.son was married on January 29, 
1S56, to Susan l*". Randall, who was born in 
Masonville, March 13, 1837, daughter of 
Hezekiah A. and i':iiza A. (Moody) Randall. 
Her grandfather, Ichabocl Randall, was an 
early .settler of tiie town, who lived on the 
farm which is the home of Mr. Mathewson. 
Oman Randall, brother of Ichabod, was the 
first settler here, and built the original log 
house on the farm. Mrs. Mathewson' s father 
was a representative farmer of his day. His 
wife died in McDonough, at forty-eight years 
of age. He died at the home i;f his daughter, 
Mrs. Mathewson, May 24, 1877, at sixty-six 
ye.irs of age. They were Presbyterian in re- 
ligion, and Mr. Randall was a Democrat in 



politics. ■ Of their eight children, four are 
now living. 

Mr. Mathewson and his wife Susan reared 
four children, namely: Russell R. , born Sep- 
tember 29, 1858, was a teacher in early man- 
hood, now lives in Binghamton; PTora Austin, 
born January 16, 1857, was also a teacher, 
now wife of* Alexander Austin, of Masonville; 
Homer Mathewson, born July 26, 1870, a 
former teachei, now a farmer on the home 
farm ; Jessie, formerly a teacher, born Novem- 
ber 7, 1 87 1, also lives at home. Mrs. Susan 
Mathewson died in Masonville, September 15, 
1884. On January 9, 1886, Mr. Mathewson 
was married to Mrs. Eliza Case, whose maiden 
name was De Eorest, who was born in L'na- 
dilla, N.Y. , and who died September 19, 
1 893. She was a member of the Methodi.st 
Episcopal church, of which Mr. Mathewson 
has been a member for thirty-five years, hold- 
ing various offices, as class leader, Steward, 
and Trustee. He was also Sunday-school 
superintendent ft)r five years. He is of a 
deeplv religious nature, and leads an exem- 
plary Christian life. 

Industrious, sagacious, and prudent, Mr. 
Mathewson has been financially successful in 
his various undertakings. _ His residence is a 
comely dwelling, fronted by a beautiful lawn 
sloping to the highway, conveniently and taste- 



full v 



rnished and arranged as to home com- 



forts and the exercise of generous hospitality. 
In politics Mr. Mathew.son is a stanch Re- 
publican. 




RANK (iRAHAM is a retired dairy 
farmer in comfortable circumstances, 
now living at Bovina Centre. He was 
born in Roxi)urghshire. .Scotland, and came to 
America in 1845 with his parents, James and 
Charlotte (Armstrong) (Iraham. He has in 
his veins some of the gallant blood of the 
Scotch Highlanders of the olden days, inherit- 
ing it from his grandfather, Thomas Graham. 
James Craham held an important position in 
his native land of thistle and heather, having 
charge of a large landed estate. P'our weeks 
from the day that he left Scotland he moved 
into his own home in Bovina, whither he had 
come and purchased a farm. The following 



BIOGRAIMIICAI, RK.VIKW 



55 ■ 



sinint;' he hdunlil :i trad dl \h\w hmuliol and 
twenty acres i>r brush-cci\cic<l land near ndlii, 
and it was a work of time and palienee tn^ct it 
into a state oi |)ro(Uirti\'cness. 'I'iiis farm was 
iionglit on credit, and li\- dint ol u;c>od nianai;e- 
nient the eider (iraliain met liis pavmcnls as 
thev l)eeame cine, nnlil theri- w.is no fnrther 
debt, and he was sole and nndispnic'd posses 
sor. 

lie was a Repnhlican in politics, and an 
acti\c woikcr and i;cncions sn|)poitci- of the 
l-'irsl I'resln terian ('lunch in l)clhi, of which 
his wife was also a niend)i.'r. lie died .it the 
age ol si.\ly-ti\e \eai's, his wiU' li\ing to he 
seventy-fotn'. C )f their eight ihildicn, two 
sons, James and Thomas, arc dead. Ihe si\ 
living are l-'rank, the cential hgnre of this 
family grou]) ]«)|-trait ; Robert, a grocer in 
Canada; Beatrice, the widow of Robert (iow, 
in Ho\ina ('(.Mitre; \\'alti.'r, who li\es at the 
home i)hux' in Delhi; Marg;ni-t, wlui married 
John Middlemast, and is a widow in l)elhi; 
and ICUiot, a tarnicr in -\ndes. 

h'rank was a lad ot si.\ti-en when his f.ither 
came to .\merica, and had received his sc hool- 
ing in .Scotland. h'oi^ several wars he worked 
ont bv the month, his lirst month's earnings 
amonnting to onl\' fonr dollais; and his largest 
\x*ail\' iKixinent was one hundred and tiflv 
dollars. In spite of his pooi' wages, he prac- 
tised sLich close economy and self deiiiLil that 
he was able after some _\'ears t<i buv a farm ol 
one hnndred and tw (.aitN'-skx aci'es near |)elhi. 
Here he made (lair\-farming a specialt\ . He 
sitles some thiit\' hc;id of cattle, he had some 
wry tine fnll-bloodc-d sheep. lie had a good 
farm, and was a practical and snccessfnl 
fariDer. 

In i<S3,S he was joined in wedlock to Mar\ 
Wight, a danghter of .Matthew and .Mary 
I'.lliot Wight. Ihe parents of .Mrs. (iraham 
were among the eail\ settlers ol Delhi, anti 
were also Scotch. ()nl\ one child crowned 
this marriage of T'raiik and Mar\- (iraham, a 
losebud horn to bloom in heaven; for the 
daughter whose coming had awakened such 
joyful antici))ation di<.'d in infancx'. In 1890 
Mr. (Iraham moved to Ho\ ina Centre, where he 
now has a hantlsome residence in progress ol 
erection. He has been an efticient worker in 
the I'resbvterian church, to which ccimmimion 




his v\ilc also liL longed ; ;ni(l he has alw.iys 
been a loyal ke|)lil)l ican. .Mrs. (ir.diani died 
at hci hoini- in |{ci\ina Cenlie, .Seplend)er 14, 
i.S(;4. With the aecnnndati.in of uorMh 
possessions, oflicial c.ires have come; and 
I'rank Ciiaham has beiai |o|- some vcars .\-,st-> 
sor and member of the l^^ci.^e Hoard, and is 
now Justice of the I'eaie in Hu\ ina, where he 
is held in high regard as an upright man and a 
useful citi/.en. 



I..\'RN W . 1 1 I .\ 1 . a popular resident 
■t llancotk, .\.\., was born in 
Thompson, .Sidlivan Count\-, De- 
ember 19, iSj.S. I lis grandfiilher, 
John Hunt, who was of Irish descent on the 
paternal side, and Dutch on the maternal, was 
boin in Woodstock, Clster Count\, where the 
lamilv were early jiioneers. lie marrie<l a 
daughter ol Captain (^'oitright, one of the most 
pi-ominent men in Clstei' Countv, who com- 
manded the company in the Revolutionarv War 
in which llenrv Ilunt's great-grandfather 
served. John limit lesided at Woodstock 
when the Indians and Tories raided that sec- 
tion ol the coimtrv, leaving desolation and 
ruin behind. The familv had just time to 
llee to the block-house in tile village before 
theii" house was deslroved. .\t the close of 
the w.u' John Hunt lesumed his former occupa- 
tion ol farming in his native town, remainini; 
there until the latter part of the ceiiturv. when 
he removed to .Sullivan Countv and lieeanie a 
pioneer settler of Thompson, (King there at 
an ailvaiiced age. lie was ;i stanch Whig. 
11 is wife lived to be over ninetv vears of age, 
retaining ;ill iier faculties until the last, and 
reniemheiing nianv interesting anecdotes of 
llu' Indian wars, which she related to liei' 
chiklren and graiulchihlren. 

Jacob Hunt, son of John and father of the 
subject of this biogr.iphv, was also jiDrii in 
Woodstock, the date of his birth being ]-"ebru- 
arv I, 1S02. Me was but seven vears of age 
when he removed with his jiarents to .Sullivan 
(jiuntv, where he assisted his parents on the 
home f:irm. Tlieie were fonr childien, of 
whom he was the eldest, namelv : Jacob; 
-Abraham; .\llsop; and Jane, who married a 
German miller, llenrv Dalmetcli, of Bingham- 



SS2 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



ton. Jacob Hunt was a carpenter and farmer, 
and marrietl Nellie Wynkoop, who was de- 
scended from an old Dutch family of New 
York State, and owned a farm in Sullivan 
County adjoining that of John Hunt. Jacob 
Hunt was a large man of wonderful strength 
and indomitable courage, who was always 
called upon to settle disputes in the town 
where he was a prominent and much respected 
citizen. He later purchased a farm in Galilee, 
Pa., and there passed his last days, dying when 
over eighty years of age. He was three times 
married,' the result of his first union being 
eleven children, as follows: Henry, David, 
Hulda, Mary, Ennace, Nancy J., Jacob, John, 
Abraham, Reuben, and Francis — all of whom 
are now living except David, who died in 1SS4 
in Wisconsin. Hulda married Addison PuUis, 
a lumberman of Galilee, Pa. ; Mary is the wife 
of George Ralston, a farmer in Jackson 
County, Wis. ; Ennace married Wesley Wil- 
cox, of Galilee; and Nancy is the wife of 
Charles Weeks, of Thompson, Sullivan 
County. 

Heniy W. Hunt was educated in his native 
town, and learned the blacksmith's and car- 
])enter's trades, which he followed for fifteen 
years. August 12, ii^55, he married Rachel 
Tyler, daughter of Smith and Polly (Baxter) 
Tyler. The Tyler famih' was one of the first 
to settle in Hancock, and gave the name to 
several localities of this section. The Baxters 
were also pioneers here, Jesse Baxter, grand- 
father of Mrs. Hunt, being one of the original 
settlers of Harvard in the town of Hancock. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have had foui' children, 
namely: Ophelia, born June 28, 1S56, who 
died May 29, 1858; Polly E. , who was born 
March i, 1858, married George W. Pine, of 
Thompiion, Sullivan County, and was the 
mother of three children — Blanche, Frederick 
M., and F"loy L. ; Marshall, born F'ebruary 27, 
i860, a contractor in New York Citv; and 
Carrie, who was born December 13, 1866, and 
married Frank Verdon, a telegraph o])erator 
at Maybrook, Orange Count}'. 

Mr. Hunt was Justice of the Peace for two 
terms in Thompson, and is a member of the 
East Branch Camache Tribe of Red Men. 
He is a Republican in politics, having cast 
his first vote for John C. Fremont, and has 



supported the p4rty since that time. Mrs. 
Hunt is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and the family is universally esteemed 
throughout the town where they reside. 




i:V, JACOB B. VAN HOUSEN, a 
venerated and much beloved clergy- 
man of Roxbury, N. Y., was born in 
the town of Fulton, Schoharie 
County, November 21, 1817. His grandfather, 
Francis Van Housen, of Dutch ancestry, was 
born in Hudson, Columbia County, and was 
a private and Sergeant in the Revolutionary 
army. He married Hannah Daniels, and soon 
after came to Schoharie County, in 1795, and 
built a log cabin in the wilderness near West 
Fulton. He cleared five acres of land, raising 
a little grain, which he was obliged to take on 
a sled drawn by an ox team sixteen miles 
through the forest to be ground. The road 
that was cut by this travel may still be seen. 
He died at the age of seventy. He was a 
member of the Baptist church, and was a 
Democrat in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Van 
Housen had a family of seven children: Levi, 
A.sa, Lemuel, Elizabeth, Louisa, Polly, and 
Hannah. 

Levi Van Housen, the father of the subject 
of this sketch, was born in Columbia County, 
working with his father until he took pos.ses- 
sion of the farm, which he afterward sold. 
Moving to Richmondville, he purchased a farm 
of one hundred and eighteen acres, and re- 
mained thereon about eight years. He then 
changed his abode to Summit, and from there 
to Worcester, Otsego County. While in the 
forest after wood, a falling tree struck him, 
breaking his back. This occurred in the 
prime of his life, he being but fifty-nine years 
of age at the time of hus death. He married 
Hannah Baird, to whom fourteen children 
were born; namely, Jacob Bairtl, Lemuel P., 
Erastus R., Leroy B. , Levi Y., John F., 
Jason B. , Harriet, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarinda, 
Lydia Ann, Melis.sa, and Emeline. Mr. Levi 
Van Housen, like his father, was a member 
of the Baptist church and a Democrat in poli- 
tics, and held many offices in the town. 

Jacob Baird Van Housen was etlucatetl in 
Fulton Academy, and afterward learned the 




William Wakefield. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



S5S 



blacksmith's trade. At the a^c ni iweiU) 
four he i;a\e up this oeeui)ati()n, and, lia\iny 
studiet! fur liie iuiiiistr\. was ortiained ])astt)r 
of the Seeontl Sununil Church. ilere he 
otticiated for three _\ears, and then uio\eil to 
Mat Creei<, Schoharie Count\, where lie re- 
mained seven \ears, tiien remmed to .Stamford, 
Delaware County, preaching; also at other 
])laces. lie came to Ro.\l)ur\' in Octohei', 
189J. He tiiarried Rachel M. Hrazie, dauj^h- 
ter of I'eter and .Ann (Xoonaii) Hrazie, her 
father beini;' a farmei- of .Summit, .Schoharie 
Count\'. Mr. anil Mis. \'an llousen ha\e 
had three children: Mar\- .S. , who married 
Dr. K. Cowles, of hishkill, Dutchess C'ount\', 
X.\'., and has two ciiildrcn llattie M. and 
l~rank J.; Levi J., who was born December 
25, 11^57, and married Jennie .\. (irant, 
dausj;hter of James and Hannah ((.'urr) (irant, 
and has se\en childien— Carrie .Ma\', haiima 
C, Mary Inez, Charles (i., ]-"nuik' C. , I'.d- 
ward J., and Maudie .\. (deceased); Charles 
K., who was horn JuK 16, 1859, and died 
Jidy j6, 1 .S64. 

The Rew Mr. \'an llousen bou_i;ht the 
Carter estate in the town of Ro\bur\, on the 
Windham turn])ike. His son I.e\i J. takes 
charge of it, carr\inj;' on a lariie dairy, and is 
a very proi;ressi\-e farmer. I.e\i J. is a Demo- 
crat, his father a Prohibitionist. In his tifly- 
three vears of ministeiaal lalioi- Mr. \'an 
llousen has preached ei,!;ht thousand siTmons 
and ba])tized about four hundred i)eo])le. To- 
day, at tin' a_u:e of se\ent}'-seven, he is an 
acti\e man, still preachins;' the i;-osi)el. and 
doinj; n'ood where\er he i^oes. Many are the 
hearts that he has brou-ht to the light and 
made "lad bv his teachini;s. 



^^fA)/ n.l.I.VM \\.\Ki;i' li;i.l), a man wh. 
bei;an life in the most humble 
circumstances, b\' aident energy, 
luUiring iudustrv, and strict adherence to 
honorable business princi|)les, has matie tor 
himself a reiiutation and acquired a com])etency, 
which he now enjoys in his beautiful home in 
Walton. His father, Hiram Waketield. was 
the son of Jesse Waketield. of Connecticut, 
and one of a faiiiih of tixe children, all of 
whom married and lived to a good old age. 




He w.is horn III i.-'ij. 111 .\l iii'ihtMuii, Di-l.i 
ware County, wliere he man ieil .Miss Idniira 
Kiltie, the result of this union being si.\ ihil 
(hen, one of whom, named Josephine, w;i> 
drowned in early childhood. .Another, I'eter 
Wakeheld, who was a most successful fanner 
in I'rankiin, died November \ \, iKy^, in his 
fifty-se\enth year, leaving a goodh fortune to 
his wife ami two daughters. Amanila, widow 
of Horatio I'omeroy, lives in North Walton. 
So]ihronia and l.ydia Jane are single, and live 
in I'lanklin. Hiram Wakefield was a hum- 
ble fanner, and after many \ears of ceaseless 
toil died in hranklin, in i.SSj, his wife tw<i 
years later following him to the eternal home. 
William Wakefield was born in Middle- 
town, Delaware County, in 1S33, and was 
reared in the dailv drudgery of farm life, re- 
cei\ing onl\' the limited education which the 
district schools of the- town could furnish. 
When but twent\'-one, he mai 18^4, 

Miss Rachel Russell, of Ham: ... ... < died 

childless in iSiT). In itS5<S he again luarried, 
his second wife being .Margaret l)avidson, of 
Delhi, tlauglUer of (ieorge and Margaret 
(Dunn) Da\idson, who were both nati\es of 
laiglaml. Mr. Davidson died at his home in 
Delhi in i S<S6, in his eight\ -third year. He 
had a famih' of fourteen children. His widow 
and nine children survive him. .Mrs. Da\iil- 
son li\es in Hamden. a feelile lady of eighty- 
seven vears. Thomas Davidson, a brother of 
Mrs. Wakefield, an<l a \iilunteer in the late 
Ci\il War, was killed in the battle of Ilonev 
Hill, when but twent\' years old. A brave 
young man, just starting out on life's career, 
there he lies buried among his comrades who 
died for their country's freedom and the honor 
of their nation's flag. John David.son, an- 
other brother, also fought in his country's 
service, being wounded in battle, and, dying 
fnun the effects of that wound, now sleejis in 
the old cemetery at West Delhi. Other mem- 
bers of the family :ue the following: (irace, 
now deceased, who left four chiklren l.iy her 
first marriage, with Rich;ud Thompson, her 
second husbaml being John Sctitt ; Isabella, 
wife of Henr\- Scott, who lives in Delhi, and 
has four children; Mrs. W.ikefield; (ieorge 
W. ; Ideanor J., widow of I'eter Wakefield; 
Allon, living in California; Mary A., wife of 



SS6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



John B. Mable, living in DeLancey; James 
I'., in Mundalc; Douglas, in Rovina. Two 
(lictl unnamed, and (ieorge when but a few 
months old. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield ha\e one son, 
Charles \\'. Wakefield, who married Dora 
Goldsmith, and lives in Oneonta. Mr. Wake- 
field is a carjK-nter, whose work is always 
faithfully and carefully performed, and who 
has built many of the finest houses in Walton. 
He erected his present residence, at No. 4 
Bruce Street, in the summer of 1892 ; and both 
the exterior and interior of the house e.xhibit 
the artistic taste and thorough workmanship of 
the owner, making it one of the most attractive 
dwellings in the town. 

Mr. Wakefield was formerly a Republican, 
and is now a Prohibitionist; and both he and 
his admirable helpmate are valued members of 
the Congregational church. In these days of 
discontent, when so many complaints are being 
made, on the one hand of poor work, and on 
the other of scant remuneration, it is a special 
pleasure to hear of a man who has received a 
suitable reward for his honest labor. Mr. 
Wakefield is a man of this type, meritoriously 
successful, whose prosperity has been won by 
vigorous efforts and rigid conformity to the 
principles of honor and noble-mindedness. 

.\ portrait of this worthy citizen may be 
seen on an adjoining page. 



■AMES COULTER, an influential resi- 
dent of Bovina Centre, was born in the 
.same town in 1808. His parents were 
Francis Coulter and Nancy Glenden- 
ning; and both were born in Scotland, where 
they were married. They came to this coun- 
try in 1800, and stayed a year in Albany, 
whence they removed to Delaware County for 
a two years" residence in Stamford. Then 
they came to Bovina, and hired some land. 
In order to reach New York City, which was 
the main market, it was necessary to go to 
Catskill by team, and thence to the metropolis 
in a sloop. The primeval forest had not yet 
been cleared away, and was full of game. 
Wolves, bears, and even panthers, occasion- 
ally visited the yards of the log houses scat- 
tered here and there in the wood clearings. 



Francis Coulter soon had a log house of his 
own, where he lived many years, working hard 
and successfully, till he was able to own 
nearly two hundred acres of land, which he 
bequeathed to his family when he died, at the 
age of seventy-six. He and his wife were a 
unit in their religious opinions, belonging to 
the United Presbyterian Church in Bovina 
Centre; and she died at about the same time 
and age as her husband. Of their nine chil- 
dren five grew up, and two still survive: our 
subject, the elder; and his brother, William 
Coulter, living in Wisconsin. 

James Coulter went to school and grew up 
in his native town, where he learned carpen- 
try, blacksmithing, and stone-masonry, having 
a natural turn for these trades, though his 
main business was always agriculture. On 
January 5, 1832, James was married to Nancy 
Thompson, who was born in Bovina on the 
first day of December, 181 1, just before the 
last war with Great Britain. She was a 
daughter of Andrew Thompson, another early 
Scotch settler of Bovina, in 1802; though he 
and his wife have long ago passed into the 
undiscovered country, followed by their seven 
sons and daughters. Grandfather Thompson 
was a hard-working farmer, and won both 
riches and respect. James Coulter bought 
the land where he now lives in 1833, the year 
after his marriage. At first they had only a 
small clearing and a log hut ; but his farm 
has now grown to three hundred and twenty 
acres, one of the largest in the vicinity. 
Mrs. Coulter died the day after the Fourth of 
July, i8gi, when nearly eighty years old. 
Her husband has been a member of the United 
Presbyterian Church in Bovina Centre since 
he was a lad of eighteen, and his wife also 
was a communicant. They had no less than 
thirteen children, and the six named below 
are now living. James William Coulter 
oversees the Commodore Gerry estate at Lake 
Delevan. Francis R. Coulter, born August 
I, 1840, is a prosperous Bovina farmer and 
milk-raiser, and was married in January, 
1871, to Jane Nancy Scott, born in Bovina, a 
daughter of Robert C. Scott, a pioneer in this 
region; but they have no children, and live 
a somewhat retired life, the farm which they 
occupied for a score of years having been 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



SS7 



rented, while its owners have jiurchased a 
residenee in the vilhii^e. John Coulter is a 
lawyer and ranehnian in Georgetown, Col. 
David Martin Coulter and Dickson Kliot 
Coulter are both Andes farmers. I-Idward L. 
Coulter lives on the homestead. 

Though now retired from active life, tiie 
father of these boys has been a hard worker. 
A Republican in politics, he has held many 
local offices, having been one term Super- 
visor, three years Justice of I'eace, and once a 
Highway Commissioner. He is respected as 
one of the original settlers of the town, yet he 
is still hale, heart)-, and jolly. In 1845 'i^' 
took an actix'e part in tiie anti-rent war. and 
was on the spot when .Stejihens was shot, a 
fact which connects him closely with local 
history. He is full of entertaining chat ; for 
he knows everything about the neighborhood, 
Coulter Brook having been named for the 
Coulter family. W'ell has it i)een said by 
Dr. I'aley, the great writer on the I'A'idences ' 
of Christianity: — 

"Old age brings us to know the value of j 
the blessings which we have enjo\'ed, and it 
brings us also to a ver\' tiiankful perce])tion of 
those which yet remain. Is a man advanced 
in life? The ease of a single day, the rest of 
a single night, are gifts which may be sub- 
jects of gratitude to God." 



'(JHX r. L.AKIX. a jirosperous farmer 
and lumberman of Hancock, was born 
in this town. May 28, 1819. Hebe- 
longs to an old pioneer family, being 
a grandson of Joel Lakin. who with his two 
brothers, Jonathan and Jonas I, akin, came 
from Vermont in the latter ])art of the last 
centur\-, and settled on the banks of the Dela- 
ware River, where their descendants still live, 
loel was a soldier during the last three years 
of the Revolution. Jonas was the first Sui)er- 
\isor of the town of Hancock, Delaware 
County, naming tiie jjlace in honor of his 
native town in Vermont. The Lakin 
brothers, strong and athletic men, engaged in 
lumbering and rafting, and established their 
business on Partridge Island in the same 
vicinity in which the Wheeler family settled. 
Joel was the first militia Captain of Hancock, 



and was always identified with tm junsj,. r ii.\ 
and advancement of the county. When he 
came from \'ermont, he brought his wife, 
Sally Martin Lakin, and his four children - 
John, Jonas, .Sally, .md Betsey - with him. 
By his second wife, Clementine -Sands, he 
had two children, .Mary .Ann and Cassandra. 
He ilied a number of years before her, and 
was buried in Hancock, the town for which he 
had done so much, and whose interests were 
always foremost in his mind. 

Jonas Lakin. son of Joel, the father of John 
T. Lakin, was born in Hancock in 1794. He 
had such education as the times afforded, and 
at an early age began to follow the pursuit of 
lumberman on the Delaware River. Philadel- 
phia was their market and depot of supplies; 
and this noted steersman, with the other 
laborers, would raft the lumber down the 
ri\er, and make the return journey of four 
days on foot. To add to their difficulties, 
they were obliged to carry their purchases on 
their backs. Jonas Lakin married Polly 
Thomas, daughter of Lucy (Jacobs) and John 
Thomas, a lumberman of Hancock, who is 
now buried on the point of land at the "Wed- 
ding of the Waters" of the Delaware River. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Lakin had fourteen 
children, namely: John T. : Joel, a Hancock 
lumberman and prominent town officer, who 
married Lastina Studley; Sarah, who married 
Daniel Thomas, a farmer and lumberman 
of Hancock; Lucinda, who married James 
Turner, a lumberman of the same town ; Mar- 
garet, who married Omar Parks, also a lum- 
berman of Hancock; Susan, who married 
Henry Salsbury, a millwright at .Ashtabula, 
Oiiio; .^Lltilda, who married Charles Dovle, a 
Hancock farmer; TMwin, a noted steersman 
in the Delaware River, who married Abigail 
Doyle; Mary, who married Octave Bonefond, 
a farmer of Hancock: ICdgar. an extensive 
farmer of TLuicock, who married Emma 
E\ans; J\L)ses, a Hancock farmer, who mar- 
ried Grace Hubbell; Harrison, a farmer of 
Hancock, who married Harriett Wheeler, of 
the sani'j place; Ruth, who married Her- 
man Brush, of Hancock; Harriet, who died in 
infancy, being tlie only one of the family who 
did not grow to maturity. They were a 
strong, comelv race, and the women were con- 



558 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



sidered particularly beautiful. Jonas Lakin 
always followed lumbering as his occupation, 
at which he was very successful. In his early 
days game and fish abounded in great plenty, 
and the family subsisted chiefly on that and 
the product of their own land. Jonas died in 
his fifty-sixth year, and was buried at Par- 
tridee Island, a number of years before the 
death of his wife, which occurred in 1892, in 
her eighty-ninth year. She aLso was buried 
at Partridge Island, in the family lot. 

John T. Lakin attended the district school 
in his native town, and at the early age of 
fifteen years began to follow the river as 
steersman and lumberman; and this occupa- 
tion, together with farming, which he carried 
on to some extent, he continued till 1891. 
For over fifty years of that time he cut and 
rafted all his own lumber, and sold his own 
products. July 4, 1854, Mr. Lakin married 
Hannah Lewis, daughter of Zenas and Mar- 
garet (Thomas) Lewis, both of old Massachu- 
setts Puritan stock. To Mr. and Mrs. Lakin 
were born four children: Emily C, who mar- 
ried John Thomas, a dairyman and farmer of 
Hale's Eddy; Fred W., a farmer of Hancock, 
who-married Jessie Leonard; Frank M. ; and 
Lewis N., who was the youngest of the fam- 
ily. The two sons worked the home farm, 
consisting of over seventeen hundred acres of 
land, in company with their father. 

John T. Lakin belongs to the Democratic 
party, having cast his first vote for President 
in 1840. Although he has never aspired to 
political honors, yet on account of his great 
popularity he has held many positions of trust 
in his own town; among these was that of 
Highway Commissioner, which he held for 
nine years. In all his undertakings he has 
been eminently succes.sful, and has gained for 
himself great respect and admiration. He 
has ever the interests of his town at heart, 
and by his untiring enterprise and good judg- 
ment has greatly added to its prosperity. 



rOHN G. RUS.SELL, a retired dairy 
farmer of the town of Bovina, was born 
on January 16, 1827, and is the grand- 
son of the progenitor of this branch of 
the Russell family in America, a doughty 



Scotsman, who was one of the early settlers in 
Bovina. The parents of John G. Russell, 
James and Margaret (Brice) Russell, were 
hard-working, sober-minded people, to whom 
were born twelve children, whose names are 
recorded in the sketch of Andrew T. Russell 
in another part of this volume. In the dis- 
trict schools, to which he was sent in his boy- 
hood, young John gained what knowledge of 
text-books he was there able to acquire. He 
lived beneath the family roof until his mar- 
riage to Margaret NicoU, which was solem- 
nized on November 19, 1857. The bride was 
a Scotch woman and the daughter of Andrew 
NicoU, whose wife, as well as himself, was of 
Scotch birth. There were four sons and five 
daughters in the Xicoll family. 

John G. Russell became the owner of one 
of his father's farms, a tract of ninety-three 
acres, the boundaries of which he afterward 
very greatly increased by subsequent pur- 
chases of land. He was most successful in 
his dairy farming, in which he was engaged 
until 1894. He now lives in the village of 
Bovina Centre, where he enjoys in retirement 
the results of his life's early and prolonged 
labors. His wife has borne him three daugh- 
ters: Margaret A., the wife of Mr. Robert 
Wilson Scott, of Bovina Centre; Alice, a 
teacher in Bovina; and Christina. Mrs. 
Thompson, of Walton. 

Mr. Russell, like his brother, Andrew T., 
takes no interest in the political concerns of 
the country, but has devoted the energies of 
his years to personal, social, and religious 
duties. His household is a household of 
faith, both he and his wife being conscien- 
tious members of the Reformed Presbyterian 
church. Mr. Russell's genial manner and 
kindly heart have won for him the esteem and 
regard of those who know him best. 



(51 HOMAS DkLANEY, the genial and 

* I hospitable proprietor of Hotel River- 
side at Walton, has become well and 
favorably known throughout the surrounding 
country. He was born in Orange County, 
New York, in 1835, son of James and Mary 
(Mills) DeLaney. His mother was a native 
of Orange County, where she died in 1844, 



RIOGRAI'lIICAI, KKVIKW 



IcLiving toLir ibilclicn, twn of wliom arc imw 
living, Thomas and his bruthcr Janics. The 
younger James has led a life (luite different 
from that of his early associates. When hut 
thirteen years old, he went tci (ieoigia with 
I-ilder Beebe'ssiin: and, when the war broke 
out, ho joined the rebel army and fought 
bravely for that side, while his lirother was as 
bravely fighting for Northern principles. He 
was taken ])risoner ami placed in Point Look- 
out Prison, but escapei', and after the war 
went to Orlando, Orange County, I'la., where 
ho is now a wealth)' merchant. James l)e 
Lanoy, Sr., who was born in New York Citw 
died when past middle life, in Orange Count\'. 

Thomas DeLmey learned the blacksmith's 
trade: and twent)' years of his young life were 
spent in Sullivan Count v, working at that 
trade, which is so fascinating to the minds of 
poets and artists, as tvpical of human strengtii, 
skill, and mastery. In 1.S62 Mr. DeLanex- 
volunteered in Comjiany G. One Ihmdred and 
Forty-third New ^'ork \'olunteer Infantry, 
going out as Second Sergeant. He served 
three years, and saw some of the most o.xciting 
work of the war, being with Sherman in his 
march to the sea, and in other engagements of 
note. In 1885 ho came to Walton, and pur- 
chased the hotel propertv then known as the 
Riverside Hotel, and kept by (jrocn Chase. 
The location is a charming one; and Hotel 
Riverside, as it is now called, is a favorite 
summer resort, Mr. Del.anev having done 
much to im]:)rove it and make it more conven- 
ient and attracti\o. It is now a large cot- 
tage, with additions and imi)rovoments on the 
original house; and it is more than likely 
that before many years larger accommodations 
will have to be provided for the many guests 
who frocpient this place during the warm 
weather. 

In 1860 Mr. iJel.aney married Sarah 
Palmer, of the neighboring village of Downs- 
ville, a daughter of Ahcll and Clarissa 
Palmer. Her parents, who wore natives of 
this county, died during the war in Oregon, 
leaving a family of six children. Mr. and 
Mrs. DeLaney have two children; one son, 
Walter; and a daughter, Grace, who is a 
young lady of much artistic talent. The 
walls of her father's house bear witness to her 



taste and skill in oil p.iinliug. IK'r work is 
of tile realistic schocd. which i> in these days 
coming to be ver\ popular. 

Mr. DeLaney is a membi-r of the (ieneral 
Mar\in Post, .\o. joo, (;r.ind .'\rm\ of the 
Republic, having been transferred from the 
I'loming Post of Downsville, in which he had 
been ( juartermaster. He is a liini Ripuhli- 
c;in, and ser\ed as Deputy .Sheriff under Clark 
and Crawford. Heing a Chapter Mason, he 
filled several chairs while in .Sullivan Countv, 
anil is a highly respected brother in all Ma- 
sonic circles. .Mrs. DeLanev is a niiinber of 
the Congrogati(jnal church, and mu'Ji inter- 
ested in church work. l"or some vcars before 
her marriage she was a teacher, and she con- 
tinues much intoreste<l in educational matters. 
Mr. DeLaney is a valued citizen of Walton. 
The many people with whom he has business 
and social relations hold him in the highest 
esteem, and are glad to reckon him among 
their friends. 




iHARLLS R. ll.\ri'Ii;LD. whose 
death at his home near Griffin's Cor- 
ners two years ago was a cause of 
mourning throughout the commu- 
nity, was born in Now York City, Januar\- 17. 
1825, and was the son oi Charles R. and Marv 
(McAully) Hatfield. The father was of laig- 
lish descent, while the mother was a native of 
Scotland. i'hev had a large family of chil- 
dren; namel}'. ]\Iarv, I-^mily, Elizabeth, .Me- 
lissa. Catherine. Armintha, Christina. Eve- 
line, James. Maria. Charles R. The last 
named was brought up in the metropolis, and 
learned the trade of gilder and frame-maker, 
being engaged in the manufacture of picture- 
frames in Now York City, until the Civil 
War. He then enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Forty-fourth Regiment, and served with 
credit to the close of that momentous struggle. 
Ho selected as his life partner Miss Christina 
Miller, daughter of Adam and Eliza (tiihsoni 
Miller. Her [larents. who wore natives of 
Scotland, came to .Vniorica in 1S30. and set- 
tled in New York City, where they estab- 
lished a hair-dressing business, which Mr. 
Miller continued until his death at the ago of 
thirtv-two, his wife preceding him to the 



560 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



other shore by five months. ' They had three 
children, of whom Mrs. Hatfield is the only 
one now living. 

Mrs. Hatfield's health failing in the city, 
they came to Delaware County; and, buying 
the Willoughby farm near Arkvillc, Mr. Hat- 
field remodelled the house and adapted it to 
the wants of summer boarders. This proving 
a successful venture, he then sold out and 
bought the old Lee farm, three miles from 
Griffin's Corner.s, and here built a large 
house, which his widow now carries on as a 
boarding-house and hotel. A family of six 
children were born to him and his wife, the 
following being a brief mention thereof: 
William married Sarah Adams, and lives in 
Kidgway, Pa. Charles R. took for his wife 
Alice J. McKillip. Thomas F. lives at 
home. Elizabeth became the wife of James 
\V. Curtis, of Fleischmanns. John W. mar- 
ried Maggie A. G. Seacor, making his home 
in Brooklyn, N.Y. Katie L. is the wife of 
Philip Schaffer, and lives at Williams Bridge. 

Mr. Charles R. Hatfield lived to be sixty- 
seven years old. He was a Republican, and, 
while in New York City, was a member of 
the Broadway Tabernacle Church. After his 
death his wife enlarged the house, which can 
accommodate sixty boarders. It is called the 
Hatfield Mansion, and is a landmark in this 
part of Delaware County, having an elevation 
of about twenty-five hundred feet above the 
level of the sea. The scenery is grand, em- 
bracing a view of ten different mountain 
peaks. 

Mrs. Hatfield is a business woman, with 
plenty of friends. 




^\CAJ/n,LIAM H. BROWN, a well- 
known citizen of Hancock, Dela- 
ware County, was born August 25, 
1825, in the adjoining town of Walton. His 
father, William Brown, a native of Rhode 
Island, came to Walton in the early days of 
its settlement. He married Sophia Bene- 
dict, a daughter of Daniel and Lois (McCall) 
Benedict. The Benedict family originated in 
Connecticut, and was one of the first to settle 
in Walton. Mr. and Mrs. William Brown 
had two children, namely: George A., who 



was born June 2, 1823, and, after learning the 
shoemaker's trade, removed to Glendale, 
Wis., where he now resides; and William H. 
The father of these two boys was lost in the 
river while employed in rafting. 

Young William was but nine years of age 
when he made his home with Mr. Seth Hoyt, 
with whom he lived until his sixteenth year. 
In 1850 he removed to Read's Creek, Han- 
cock. On March 11, 1852, he married Miss 
Rachel S. Hood, daughter of William and 
Nancy (Apley) Hood, of Hancock, and a 
member of one of the oldest families of that 
section of the country. Mrs. Brown's great- 
grandfather came from Holland with his two 
brothers, and located his home in Colchester, 
while one of his brothers settled on the Mo- 
hawk ; and the other, supposed to be the an- 
cestor of General Hood, took up his residence 
in the South. The Apley family came from 
Connecticut, and was among the first to settle 
in the Delaware Valley. Mrs. Brown's par- 
ents had nine children, three of whom lived 
to reach maturity: Mrs. Brown, who was the 
oldest; Clark, who is a prominent lawyer and 
stock-raiser in La Crosse County, Wisconsin ; 
and Betsey, who married Mr. Carley, of 
Deposit. 

Mr. Brown enlisted in the Second New 
York Heavy Artillery in September, 1862, 
and was mustered into the service at Elmira. 
He took an active part in the engagements at 
Spottsylvania Court-house, Hanover Junction, 
Swift Run, and Cold Harbor, lying at the 
latter place eleven days under fire and with- 
out relief. His next engagement was at 
Petersburg, where his regiment was reduced 
from seventeen hundred to eleven hundred 
men. June 16 they charged on the rebels, 
and Mr. Brown was wounded in the leg. 
For eleven months he lay in the military hos- 
pital, where his wound partially healed; but 
for thirty years it continued to be extremely 
painful, and in January, 1892, he had the leg 
amputated. After leaving the army he re- 
sumed his former occupation of farming and 
lumbering and working as a steersman on the 
river. 

Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the ]3arents of six 
children: The eldest, Sophia, was born April 
3, 1853, and married H. D. Mills, a stone- 



HIOGRAPHICAI. RKVIKW 



'^r,i 



mason at Fish's Kdtly. Louisa was horn 
September 4, 1854, ami is tlie wife ot Henry 
Denio, a farmer of Tompkins. (;eorf;e is ;i 
farmer at Read's Creek, Iwrn Sejjtemher u, 
1S56. Charles was born July .'. 1858. and 
resides at East Branch. Ai)ram, a farmer and 
lumberman, was born September 9, 1860. 
Clarence I.., the yoim.i;est, was horn August 
13, 1871, and is employed in tlie factory on 
Read's Creek. 

Mr. Brown is a Reixiblican in politics, lias 
been Constable, Collector of Taxes for seven 
years, and has twice taken the census of his 
town. He is a man of u|)right character, a 
worthy citizen of the Iowa where he resides, 
with the good works of which his name is ever 
identified. 




I'ORtil-: W. MARXTX is a highly 
respected and thriving citi/.en of 
Walton, N.\'., owns and occupies a 
good farm in Marvin Hollow, about two and 
one-half miles from the railway station. He 
was born in the town (jf Walton, No\ember 
20, 1817. His grandfather, Alatthew Marvin, 
a native of Xew^ Canaan, Conn., came to this 
State after the Revolution, and first lived for 
a few years near Hoosick. (l-'or furtlu-i- an- 
cestral history see sketch of N. C. Marvin.) 

Jared Marvin, a son of Matthew and Marv 
(Weed) Marvin, was born in the town of 
Pioosick, and was reared on a farm, but later 
worked at the cariienter's trade, and was also 
employed in a mill as a cloth-linisher. He 
afterward adopted the calling of a ])ilot, and 
won a wide reputation for skill in guiding 
rafts down the ri\-er. He s])cnt the last years 
of his life in the town of Walton, and died on 
the farm adjoining that of his son (ieorge. at 
the age of seventy-six years. He married 
i'anny Rogers, the daughter of .Vsa and Cath- 
erine Rogers, who occupied the farm adjoin- 
ing his father's. Mr. and ^Irs. Rogers 
removed from (jranville, Mass., their native 
[ilacc, to Tompkins, at an early period, and in 
i8i2or 1814 came to Walton, where, buying 
a tract of heavily timbered land, they im- 
]iroved a farm. Mr. Rogers dietl when about 
seventv years of age. His widow, who was 
one of the old Hamilton stock, aiul the daugh- 



ter ol a woman who spent more llian .1 ( ••niurv 
of years on this sphere, was a ri-mark.ihjy 
well-preserved old lady, ever act ive ,uid .ilerl, 
and alter slie was eighty years old oik e 
walked a distance of four miles, clinihing a 
tremendous mountain on tlie w.iy. .She lived 
to the advanced age of ninet\-lwo vears. 'l"o 
Jared Marvin and his wife were i)orii the fol- 
lowing children: Catherine, who died at the 
age of twenty-three years; Georgi; W. ; .Marv, 
who marriet! Decatur Fells, of Walton: .Vbi- 
gail, who married Roswell St. John, and is 
now deati; Charles, a prominent minister, 
who resides in the West, where he has organ- 
ized and built up twelve churches; William: 
Lewis and John, the latter of whom died when 
a little lad of foiu" years. The mother, who 
spent her declining days with her eldest son, 
lived to the ;ige of fourscore years. Both 
were members of the Congregatittnal church. 
At the age of sixteen years George W. 
.Marvin, the eldest son of Jared, began the 
pioneer labor of clearing the land, taking a 
yoke of oxen and iloing a man's work. For 
some time he was engaged in teaching the 
district school in the winter, and working on 
the farm during the remainder of the vear. 
He remained with his jxirents until the home- 
stead, largely through his efforts, was paid 
for. He married when twenty-nine ve;irs of 
age, mox'ing then to a farm which he had i)re- 
viously ])urchased, and of which he had 
cleared a sm:ill portion. Having lived 
thereon foi- three years, Mr. .Marvin disposed 
of that propertw and with his brother Will- 
iam |)urchased three hundred acres of land, 
which constitutes his present homestead. 
\'ery little of this land h;id been cleared; 
and, assisted by his brother, he put up a saw- 
mill, and, cutting down the trees, sawed tiiem 
into lumber, which he sent to Philadelphia at 
first, but in later times began suppKing the 
\illage of Walton. He contiiuiecl in this 
business for nearl\- thirty ye.irs. and in the 
mean time jilaced his land in a good state of 
cultivation. He has a fine grass-bearing ;ind 
dairying farm, raises some grain; and, be- 
sides the numbers of cattle and horses on his 
place, he keeps a g(^od many siiee]^. He has 
erecteti excellent farm buildings, and has all 
the tools :ind macJTiner}' refpiisite for carrying 



562 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



on his business after the most approved 
methods. He had the misfortune to have one 
barn destroyed by lightning, but this has 
been replaced by two very fine ones. 

Mr. Marvin was married in 1846 to Hannah 
Eells, who was one of twelve children born to 
Mead and Philena (Johnson) Eells, natives of 
Walton. Mr. Eells was a dealer in lumber, 
and an expert in running saw-mills, being 
able to saw trees thirty-four feet long and 
four feet thick. Mr. and Mrs. Eells were 
both members of the Congregational church ; 
and both died at the home of Mr. Marvin, he 
at the age of eighty years, and she when 
seventy-five years of age. Mrs. Marvin, who 
departed this life December 20, 1892, bore 
her husband three children — Martha, Julia, 
and George. Martha had great musical tal- 
ent, received all the advantages afforded at 
the Providence, R.I., Conservatory, and won 
a fine reputation as a music-teacher in Provi- 
dence, having pupils from seven different 
States. Her death by drowning was a sad 
blow to her family and to her many friends. 
Julia, who was also a pupil of the Walton 
Academy, married William A. Drake, a civil 
engineer, who has been largely engaged in 
surveying Western railroads, and is now sur- 
veying in Arizona. They are now living in 
Pueblo, and are the parents of three children 
— Mattie, Nellie, and Dorothy- George mar- 
ried Lizzie Patterson, the daughter of George 
Patterson; and they have one child, Martha. 
He is a farmer by occupation, and assists in 
the care of the home farm. 




F. ADEE, proprietor and editor of 
the Delaware Express of Delhi, was 
born at Davenport Centre, August 
22, 1865, and is the son of George 
T. Adee, a prominent citizen of Delhi. Mr. 
Adee resided in Davenport Centre until he 
was ten years of age, when he moved w'ith his 
parents to this town. His early education 
was gained at the district school, and was 
supplemented by a course at the academy, 
from which he was graduated in 1885. He 
also spent one year at Cornell University and 
in 1887 entered the law department at Co- 
lumbia College, taking his degree in 1889. 



Upon the completion of his college course he 
was admitted to the bar, and returned to 
Delhi, where he practised law with his father 
for about two years. Turning his attention 
to journalism, he purchased the Delaware 
Express in March, 1891. This paper was 
established as far back as 1839, and is a 
bright, interesting newspaper, with a steadily 
increasing circulation. Mr. Adee has a fine 
outfit for all kinds of job printing, and does a 
large amount of business in this line. He 
was instrumental in starting the present 
Andes Recorder^ and also the Walton 
Times, both of which papers he subsequently 
sold, now devoting his whole time and atten- 
tion to the Delaware Express. Mr. Adee is a 
Republican in politics, and for the last four 
years has occupied the responsible position of 
Justice of the Peace. He has served on the 
County Republican Committee for one term, 
and is also a member of the Senatorial Com- 
mittee of his district. He is a member of 
Lodge No. 439, A. F. & A. M., and is an 
attendant and supporter of the Second Presby- 
terian Church of Delhi. 



/©To 



EORGE S. SEYMOUR is a success- 
\ '•) I ful farmer in the town of Tompkins, 
X.Y., where he was born on October 
7, 1848. His grandfather was William Sey- 
mour, who is further mentioned in the biog- 
raphy of Alonzo Seymour elsewhere in this 
volume. Charles D. Seymour, the father of 
George, was born in Tompkins, April 16, 
1823, and was brought up a farmer. He mar- 
ried Phoebe Walker, daughter of John and 
Betsey Walker, residents of that part of 
Tompkins now known as Deposit. 

George S. Seymour in his childhood was 
educated at the district school, and worked 
on his father's farm, a part of which he pur- 
chased from his father in 1880. On January 
19, 1 88 1, he married M. Eliza McDonald, 
daughter of D. G. and Jane (Chambers) Mc- 
Donald, of Walton. Mrs. .Seymour's paternal 
grandfather, Archibald McDonald, came to 
America from Scotland, and settled in North 
Carolina, where he remained for thirteen 
years, and then came to Delaware County, 
New York. He married Jennette Smith, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIP:\V 



5^1 



(laughtor of Jt)lin Sniitli. ol Wulion. Tlicir 
son, D. G. McDoiuikl, was born in North 
Carolina, and, when tiiirtccn \cars of ago, re- 
moved with his ]>arcnts to Xew York, where 
he was engaged in the lumber business and 
agricultural pursuits. )j. (i. MeDonald mar- 
ried Jane Chambers, who became tiie niotlier 
of eight children, namely: Maria; Mli/a, the 
wife of the subject of tiiis sketch; John; 
Archibald; Jennette; Jane and David, wlio 
were twins; and Sloane. Tiie family are Re- 
formed Presbyterians, and still reside on the 
old homestead. Mr. McDonald is a ivepuhli- 
can in jiolitics. 

Mrs. -Seymoui' resided with her ])arents in 
Walton, teaching school in various .towns of 
Delaware County for five years. She is the 
mother of two children - David N. and lilthel 
N. ; and both she and her husband are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian church. I'cditicalU', 
Mr. Seymour is a Republican, being a tlrm 
supporter of the j^latform of that pait\-; and 
his position as a man (jf unquestionable integ- 
rity is manifested by the respect with which 
he is rciiarded bv all who know liim. 



. Knapp, 

Charles 

' asiiier, 




iIl.\RLl-:S P. KNAPP, Cashier of the 
l)e])osil National Hank, is one ol the 
entei'|)rising citizens ol this place. 
lie has contributed largel}', both in 
mone\' and intluence, to ad\ance tlie interests 
of this part of the countv- A glance at the 
village of Deposit will indicate what niannei' 
of men have the controlling power, and will 
show the sort of public spirit thc\ jjossess. 
The electric lights, water-works, soldiers' 
monument, and \arious other public improxe- 
ments would be credit.able to a town four times 
its size; and Mr. Knapp has done his lull 
share, toward bringing these about. lie is 
emphaticallv a De|)osit man, having alwa_\'s 
made this village his home, and being famil- 
iarl\- known throughout the entire connnu- 
nitv. The bank of which he is the Cashier was 
started in 1X54 as a piivate institution, being- 
established by the lion. Charles Knapji, his 
grandfather, wh<i was one of the most ]iromi- 
nent men of his time in this part ol the -State. 
In 1864 it became a National H.ank, its num- 
ber under the national banking laws being 472. 



I'he present I'lesidenl is ( hai les | 
ot Hinghamlon; the Xice-PrcNident, 
Majiles, of New ^'(lrk Cilv. I'lie 
Chailes P. Kuapp, and the .\ssi>,i;iul C.ohicr, 
Chailes PinkiU'\. are residents of Deposit. 
I he bank is on the soundest linaiu ial basis, 
and has never failed to pa\- its fne per lenl. 
semi-annual dividend, which is gDdd evidence 
ol the character of its m.inagenieul and some- 
thing ol an index of the |)rosperit\ of the 
village and conniumity. The father of Charles 
P. was James II. Knap]), who was also inter- 
ested in the bank, and was its j'lesident from 
July, i.S.So, until his death, which occurred 
November \ ;^, iX.Sj. He had previousjv been 
one ol the bank's cashiers and vice-presidents, 
and was elected Director January i). 1866. 
lie was a businessman, and did not interest 
himself jiarlicularly in politics. llis widow, 
thi' mother of Charles P.. is living at Deposit, 
and is a lad\' of fiftv vears, ])ossessing rare 
(|ualities of mind and ln'art, with the intelli- 
gence and retinement of the true wom.m. 

The subject of this sketch is an onlv child, 
lie was born Mav 16, 186;, and was brought 
up in the village of Deposit. lie attended the 
well-known Phillips (Ivxeter, N.ll.) .Acadenn. 
one ot the best preparalorv schools in this 
counti-}', from 1880 to 1884. 1 1 is father being 
in |)oor health, he was called to assist in the 
hank, November 21. 1884. and ranked as 
Teller. ( )n h'cliruai-v 17, 1888. he was 
electi'd to his present responsible position, 
which he has ,ably filled, contributing largeh' 
to the prosperilv of the institution. Mr. 
Kna])p is the President of the Deposit Hoard 
of Trade; and it has been through thi- untiring 
energv of this organization, made u]) mainh 
of the \-oung men of De])osit, that tlie jilace 
has seemed its varied industries, and has at- 
tained the proud distinction of being the most 
progressive place of its size on the road. Mi'. 
Kna]ip is also a stockholder and prime mover 
in the Deposit Plectric Companv. I'rater- 
nallv, he is Iligh-priest of Deposit C'hapter 
and Past Master of De|)osit I odge. A. I-'. & 
.\. M., and is a member of Malta Connnanderv, 
No. 21, at l^inghamton, and of the (Hseningo 
Consistorv, -S. P. R. K., of Hinghamton. 
.Sociallv, he is a gentleman whom it is a 
! pleasure to meet, genial and courteous, ha\ ing 



5^4 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



the characteristics that make an agreeable com- 
panion and faithful friend. 



J~N I'NCAN CAMl'BELL, who is spend- 
— I ing the eventide of an active life in 
9y restful retirement in the village of 
Bovina, was born in Scotland on 
December 24, 1817. His paternal grand- 
father was Alexander Campbell. But little is 
known of him beyond the fact that he was a 
soldier in the ]?ritish army. Duncan came to 
America in 1820 with his parents, Colin and 
Catherine (McGregor) Campbell, being on 
the Atlantic forty-two days. In Scotland, 
his native country, Colin Campbell had fol- 
lowed various occupations. After coming to 
this countrv. he settled on a farm in Andes, 
Delaware County, and, steadily applying him- 
self to agricultural pursuits, there passed the 
remaining years of his life. Both he and his 
wife lived to a green old age. They were 
loyal to the kirk of Scotland, never affiliating 
with the American branch of the Presbyterian 
church. 

A family of ten children, four of whom are 
now living, were brought up on the Delaware 
farm: namely, Alexander, Jannette, Mary, 
Nancy, Duncan, Catherine, Susan, Elizabeth, 
Colin, and John. Duncan and Nancy were 
twins. 

Duncan Campbell grew up and was educated 
in Andes, working at home until he was 
twenty-eight years old. Feeling then, doubt- 
less, that it is the part of wisdom for every 
man to establish himself independently, he 
began to take outside employment, and did 
whatever work he could find to do. He laid 
stone walls in the neighborhood, and toiled 
and saved his earnings until he had amassed a 
sum sufficient to purchase a farm of one hun- 
dred and ninety acres in Bovina. Here he 
established a dairy farm, which was financially 
so successful that he was able to extend the 
territory of his estate to three hundred and fif- 
teen acres. Me lived here for thirty-five 
years, a conspicuous example of industry and 
thrift. In 1893 he moved into the village of 
Bovina. 

On the 8th of January, 1857, he took for 
his wife and helpmate Miss Nancy Thompson, 



a daughter of George and Elizabeth Thomp- 
-son, of Bovina, both of whom are now de- 
ceased. Seven children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Duncan Campbell, and it is as yet an 
unbroken family circle. The eldest is a 
(laughter, Mary C. Campbell, who lives at 
home. Elizabeth, the second, married David 
J. Miller, and lives in Bovina. Colin, the 
eldest son, is a farmer in the near town of 
Walton. John M. lives on the old home- 
stead. Jannette Campbell is a teacher in 
Hobart. Margaret lives with Mrs. Miller in 
Bovina. And Emma, the youngest, teaches 
in the village. 

Duncan Campbell has always taken an 
active part in the politics of the Republican 
party, of which he is a clear exponent and 
strong advocate. He and his wife are both 
conscientious members of the Reformed Pres- 
byterian church, following the instincts and 
traditions of their Scottish ancestry. 

A portrait is herewith presented of this 
worthy representative of the noted clan Camp- 
bell, of which it has been well said that no 
other family can show a more numerous and 
illustrious roll of names. 




()\. CHARLES KNAPP, decea.sed, 
will long be remembered as one of 
the most distinguished men of his 
time in this part of the State, and 
one who contributed largely toward the devel- 
opment of De])osit and its vicinity. He was 
born in tiie town of Colchester, Delaware 
County, October 8, 1797. He had only such 
educational advantages as were afforded by the 
district schools of his native jilace eighty years 
ago, and they were certainly very limited. 
Colchester is situated upon the east branch 
of the Delaware (formerly Mohawk) River, 
and is one of the most rugged places in the 
State of New \'ork. Lumber was the chief 
resource of the early settlers, as it is of their 
descendants, notwithstanding the tanning of 
leather is an important industry and in the 
past five years the dairy business has grown to 
considerable proportions. 

Mr. Knapp was the son of a farmer, and was 
brought u]) to hard manual labor. His earn- 
ings till he reached his majority went into the 




D'JNCflN CAiViPBELL. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



'.f'l 



general fund fur the support ul his father's 
family. In 1S15 he henan his piihlie career 
by venturiui^ upon the occupation of a \il]aj;e 
school-teacher. I-Or a few years leaching' was 
his winter occujKUion, while in summer he 
returned to the farm. ( )ne instance of his 
thriftiness in his early life was teaching a si.\ 
months' term of school for sixteen d<dlars per 
month, and presenting to his father at its clo>c 
an even one hundred dollars, he ha\ing earned 
by overwork enough for his spending monev 
and sufficient to add a small sum to the amount 
of his regular wages. Of couise, his education 
did not sto]i with his school studies. He was 
gifted with a strong and assimilating mini!, 
and became in a practical sense a thoroughlv 
educated man. When he was twent\-one 
\ears of age, he embarked without capital in 
such local business as promised the best le- 
wards. Me continued as a farmer for a whiU-, 
but soon also engaged in the lumber trade. in 
1.S25 he opened a general countr\ store at 
Fepacton, near Colchester. The amount of 
his capital for that enterprise was onlv three 
hundred dollars: but he managed his little 
estate so that with the entire contidence of 
the ])ublie, which he ahvavs enjoyed, he gained 
rapidlv by legitimate enterprise; and in the 
course of twenty \ears he amassed what W(ju1(I 
be regarded, ewn in these times, a handsome 
fortune. lie did not confine himself to any 
one thing or a few things, but directed a large 
varietx' of ])aying enteritises. 

The high regard in which he was held l)\' 
his fellow-citizens was shown in 1S41 In his 
election to the State AssembI)'. lie dis- 
charged his public duties at Albanx', as he did 
his pri\ate business at home, in a manner 
which sustained him before the public as an 
upright, conscientious, and able man. in 
|84<S he moved to l)e]5osit, as the Mrie Kail- 
wa\' apjieared to be likel\- to make important 
changes in business channels and to aid him 
in larger enterprises than he had before been 
able to carr\- on. Here he engaged in larming 
to some extent, but largely in lumbering and 
tanning. In 1S54 he ojji-ned a banking hoirse 
under the indixidnal banking law ot the .State. 
This was the beginning of the Deposit Na- 
tional Bank, which has always been one ot 
the soundest and, it m v be adtied, one of the 



niost successful financial institutions ot the 
State. Two years later the li.ink became tin- 
pro]ierty of ,in association with a capital stock 
of one hundred and tweiits-five thousand 
dollars. Mr. Knapp retained .1 rnajoritN o| 
the slock, which ga\e him the control; ;ni(l 
the business management was still under his 
innnediate supi'rv ision. In r .S(')4 it became a 
.National Hank; and in I.S^^ ihe c;i|)ital stotk 
was incieased to tw<i hundred thousand, which, 
to a\<)id the payment of excessive taxes, was in 
iSjiS reduced to one hunched thousand. I'n<lei- 
the etticient management of .Mr. Knap]i the 
l)ank paid a good di\idend, besides :idding to 
its resources \ear b\ w:\y. 

In I .S6X Mr. Knapp w;is nominated l)\ ,1 
ke|)ublican conxention held at .Sitlney l'lain> 
toi' member of ('ongress. It was a long and 
tedious convention, in which Chenango Ccmntv 
jiresented the name of the lion. Isaac .S. New- 
ton, Delawaie Countv presented that of the 
lion. .S;unuel I-'. Miller, and ( )tsego Countv 
urged the nominati<in of the lion. David Wil- 
bur. .Mr. Knapp, being finalU' asked b\ 
telegraph il he would take the nomination, 
cmisented, and was elected by a large majority, 
lie serveil in Congress with ability ahmg with 
such re|)resentati\es as .Mr. llotchkiss froni 
this distiicl, llamilton Ward, William .\ 
Wheeler, John .A. (Iriswold. (jeneral .Slocmn. 
porter .Sheldon, and others from this .State. 

In 1.S70 he was offered a renominat ion, but 
declint'd, as he was o\er si-\ent\ three vears ot 
age, and did not care to burtlen his life with 
the responsibility of the position. lie \\as 
originally a Democrat, believing with Jackson 
and Benton on national issues and financial 
m.itters, but was an inflexible op|)onent of the 
extension of sla\er\'. and was conseijuenth' 
among the first in the ranks of the l\e|Hd)lican 
party. His whole careei' furnishes a remark- 
able exam])le of the stalwart, self-made men 
of this countrw lie learned to struggle with 
poverty when a boy, which taught him the 
proper use of wealth when he became a man. 
It was no great step for him t<i go from the 
mountain school-house to the national Con- 
gress, because the school-teacher possessed the 
ability of the statesman. ilarlv in life he was 
united in marriage with Sylvia Radeker at 
Colchester. The imion was eminently a hapjiv 



568 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



one, and was not ended until after its golden 
anniversary had been passed. Mr. Knapp died 
in 1887. Ten children were the fruit of their 
marriage, five of whom, three sons and two 
daughters, are now li\ing. 

The Hon. Charles Knajiji died in Jidy, 
1880. His life had been an eventful and a 
useful one. The world was the better for his 
having lived in it, and it is with pleasure that 
the publishers of the " Review " can place in 
their work the biogra])hv of so illustrious a 
representative of this part of the countr\-. He 
was an ambitiou.s man, it is true; hut his 
aspirations were always within their proper 
limits. There is in the human mind a natural 
desire for distinction, for being or acquiring 
something which ^hall lift the individual 
above the mass, and give him consideration 
with his fellows. A desire so natural and so 
universal as this, a desire that so readily joins 
hands with the highest motives, must have a 
legitimate s]ihere of operation, and must, when' 
confined to this sphere, be entirely consistent 
\vith the noblest life. When it is united with 
a sincere love of men and an honest regard for 
the effect of one's action u]ion others, when it 
is held subordinate and subsidiarv to the uni- 
versal good, when it grasps at nothing which 
actual excellence of power and character may 
not legitimately claim, then it is good in itself 
and good in its results. It is right for a man 
to desire to excel in an\thing worthv of a man, 
and in all these desires and ambitions Mr. 
Knapp had this concejJtion of the truth; and, 
whether in business affairs or ]3olitical affairs, 
he was not held or controlled by selfish mo- 
tives. He was a man who reached his ])osi- 
tion of influence solely as a result of honest 
methods projierl}- applied, and was enabled to 
become distinguished by virtue of his own in- 
herent worth. 




iLARK CAHLI-;, a substantial and 
, esteemed resident of the town of 

Is _ Delhi, was born in Hamden, Dela- 
ware County, X. \'., October 19, 
1832, being a grandson of Calvin Cable, who 
settled in Delhi at an early period of its his- 
tory, and there spent his last years. The 
father, Simon Cable, was born in Columbia 



County, New York, and removed with his 
parents to Delaware County, remaining witii 
them until he became of age, and assisting in 
the work of clearing the farm. He then pur- 
chased a farm in Walton, which he carried on 
until his death, which occurred when he was 
seventy-two years old. His wife was Maria 
Launt, a native of Delhi, and a daughter of 
Jeremiah Launt. She sur\-ived her husband 
man)' years, living to the unusual age of 
ninety-four. .She bore her husband three chil- 
dren ; namel}-, Betsey Ann, Maria, and Clark. 

Clark Cable spent his early years in Walton 
on the parental homestead, and acquired his 
education in the district school. After attain- 
ing his majority he purchased a farm, and for 
twenty )ears was engaged in general farming. 
He then moved to Harvard, and for five years 
was the keeper of a hotel in that village. Re- 
turning to Walton, he worked in a mill there 
for the succeeding five years, gi\ing uj) that 
position to come to the farm of his father-in- 
law, where he has since resided. On Julv 2, 
1858, Mr. Cable was united in wedlock to 
Miss Sarah Launt, a daughter of John Launt, 
one of the oldest persons now living in Dela- 
ware County, and of their union two children 
have been born ; namely, John and Henry. 
The elder son, John, married Lizzie Wade; 
and they have one child. May. 

John Launt. the father of Mrs. Cable, is of 
German descent, being a son of Jeremiah 
Launt, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and 
whose father was a native f)f Germany. John 
Launt was born November 23, 1803. in 
Worcester, X. \'. ; but. when a little fellow, 
his parents removed to Nassau, Rensselaer 
County, where he li\ed seven or eight years. 
In 1 81 2 he went to Greenbush to see the 
soldiers, an event which he distinctly remem- 
bers. He afterward went with his parents to 
the town of Schodack, and was about fifteen 
years old when the family came to Delhi. In 
the latter place he attended the district school 
and worked on the farm, remaining at home 
until his twenty - first birthday. He then 
went for a time to the Black River country, 
and later bought a farm in Hamden, which he 
managed for fifteen years, and then sold, and 
the ne.xt five years was engaged in farming on 
Walton Mountain in the town of Walton. 



BIOGRAIMIICM. l-;i:\'IF':\V 



5^", 



V\w yeais thereafter lie hi)u_i;lit liis |)ivsent 
farm, which then consisted of verv wild land, 
but was pleasantly located on I'lattner I^niok, 
al)oiii three miles from Walton. ]\\ per- 
severini;- industry he cleared and improved a 
tine homestead. .At the ai,^e of twenty-four 
years he married Jeanette Warren, a native 
of llamden, and one of a large family born to 
i;iias and Nancy (("xiodrich) Warren. Mi. 
and Mrs. Launt reared four daughters, of 
whom we record the following: .Sarah be- 
came the wife of Clark Cable, whose name 
heads tliis sketcli. Mary mairied l:pliraim 
Wakeman. of Walton, anil thev reared live 
children. Matilda' became the wife of Will- 
iam Leonard. And Angeline, who manied 
Clark Trij^ii, became the mother of six chil- 
dren — Hetse\- .Ann. Cecilia, .Sarah, ludson, 
Laura, and lulia. 




LOXZO SI-;\\M()CR is a native resi- 
dent of the town of Tompkins, which 
he re])resents as a member of the 
Coimty Hoai'd of .Super\ isors. 11 is 
great-grandfather, William .Se\nioui-, who, it 
is ,sup]:)osed, was of luiglish l)iith, foi' man\- 
\ears was a iiromiiient business man at .\ew- 
burg, .\.\'. He also built two Liverp<iol 
l)ackets, the ■"Williani iVnn " and the "On- 
tario." the latter being a vessel of li\e bundled 
tons' burthen, the largest packet at that tinu- 
in the Liverpool trade. lie was an extensive 
dealer in real estate, and did much for the im- 
pro\-ement of the \illage, where he was a resi- 
dent to the time of his death. 

His wife, acconi|)anied b\- his son William, 
who was born in New ilaxeii. Conn., moved 
then to Delaware Count\', where thev were 
among the tiist settlers. i'liis son purchased a 
tract (il heavily timbered land on tlie south side 
of the west iiranch of the Delaware River, 
which included the hind now owned ])\- the 
subject of this sketch. in these earlv ilavs no 
railroads or canals shortened the distances be- 
tween towns and villages, and the isolated 
])ioneers sidisisted chietlv on the |)roducts of 
their own laiul and the deei' and fish which 
were then abundant in the surrounding countiv. 
William Seymour, Jr., commenced at once on 
his removal to his new home to cleai' his laiitl 



and lake his lumber by me,ins of rafts down the 
river to I'hilailelphia, returning over the Ion- 
route on loot. December \(t. i.S(. 5. hi- mar 
ried Dorothv Lord, daughter of Idiphalet and 
Mary ((ireeni Lord, She was born .\ugusl, 
2.S, I 7.S,S, and died j.inuary j,S, iSC>U. the 
mother of ten children, having lived to see the 
wilderness about her home transformed into 
the .seat o| a prosperous, vvealthv commnnilv. 

W'iUet .Seymour, a son of \\ilii;im 'and 
Dorothy Seymour, and the father of the subject 
o| this sketch, was born on the old farm in 
Tompkins, May 6, iSo;. and w.is reared to 
agricultural and limibering jmrsuits, in which 
he was employed throughout his life. ( )n the 
death ot his father he became the jiossessor of 
the <ild homestead; and here he still resides in 
his ninetieth year, retaining to a remarkable 
degree all his faculties. His vvite w.is .Mary 
(ioodrich, to whom he was married |ulv jS, 
1830. .She was lioru in .Sidiiev, X.\'., .Sep- 
tember I, I, Si 4. Her grandfather, Zeiias 
(ioodrich, who was a Revolutionary soldier 
and a pioneer of Sidney, married Mercv Law- 
rence. .\lleii (ioodrich, the father of Mrs. 
W'illet .Sevmour, married Miss T^lizabeth 
Lord, a daughter of T;iii)halet and .Marv 
((ireeii) Lord. .Nine of the ten children 
born to Mr. and Mrs W'iUet Seymour lived to 
reach maturity: namely. AmaiuTi, .\lon/o, (iil- 
bert, (.liarles. i-jastus I'.. . W'illet, j-'lorence. 
and Recto]-, Lewis dying in infancv, and 
Washington dyin.g at the age of fortv-eiglit 
vears. Mrs. .Sevmour was a thrifty housewife, 
and before her marriage had learned, besides 
the necessary household accomjilishments, the 
art ot weaving, carding, and spinning, so 
that in her eailv married life she dressed her 
children in the homespun vvhicii she made 
[ entirelv with her own hands. 

Alon/.o .Sevmoui' was brought U]i to the 
lumlier business, assisting his father in liuving 
the standing lumber and rafting it down the 
ri\er to I'liiladelphia. Ciion reaching his 
majority he purchased a tract of lanil in the 
town of Tompkins, on which there was an im- 
jjioved water-power and saw-mill, and has been 
since that lime continuoiislv engaged in the 
manufacture and sale of lumber. He has also 
been greatly interested in farniiiig. and in iS.S.S 
]5urchased the old homestead which he now 



57° 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



occupies. In i860 he married Miss Josephine 
liradbury, who became the mother of six chil- 
dren : Oakley A. ; Irvin W. ; Ziba A. ; John 
W. ; June; and Kate, who died at the age of 
five years. And they have also an adopted 
child, Belle. 

Politically, Mr. Seymour is a Republican, 
being a stanch supporter and active worker of 
that party, and has held man\- offices of trust 
and responsibility, among them being that of 
Supervisor, to which he was elected in 1893 
ancF re-elected in 1894. He has also held 
positions on various committees, his long ex- 
])erience and natural business ability and 
well-known integrity making his co-operation 
doubly valuable. Mr. and Mrs. Seymour are 
both earnest, active members of the Baptist 
church, where the\' are universallv esteemed. 



tILi:V SANFORD was born 
l>ell Hill in Middletown, 
fount V, on the I'ourth 
"^ 1822. His iirandparents. 



on Hub- 
Delaware 
of July, 
dparents, William 
and Fhcebe (Hull) Sanford, came to New 
York from Connecticut in 1790, bringing with 
them a famih' of small children. Their jour- 
ney was through a wilderness, and the only 
landmarks that the travellers could depend 
upon in the trackless depths of the northern 
forests were blazed trees. 

The Sanfords were among the very earliest 
settlers, and lived in great isolation, being two 
miles distant from the few emigrants who had 
settled in the neighborhood previously. Some 
time \s'as s]ient in selecting a good location for 
the future home, and a spot was at last chosen 
which is now known as Hubbell Hill. Here 
a tract of one hundred and eighty acres was 
bought, and the sturdy pioneer fell to the task 
of cutting down trees for the construction of an 
humble home. For a week at a time he saw 
no living things save the wolves and panthers 
that infested the limitless forest around him 
and ])rowled dangerously near the lonely .set- 
tler's rough fortress of defence. As the sons 
grew u]), they were each one taught the use of 
axe and spade; and before long the beautiful 
timber was cut down and burned, in order to 
clear a space where grain could be raised. 
Just as he had begun to enjoy the fruition of 



his labors, he died, at the age of eighty years, 

i leaving a wife and eleven children — Charles 

C. , William, Ziba, John, Mrs. Bennam, Mrs. 

j Reed, Ruanna, Lucy, Marauca, Betsey, and 

Amy. 

Charles C. was born, in Connecticut, and 
was nine years old when his father came to 
Delaware County. It fell to his lot to con- 
tinue the work begun by his father; and he 
improved the property by putting up buildings 
of a more substantial .sort, and by cultivating 
the land more extensively. He was joined in 
the holy estate of matrimony to May Smead ; 
and to them also were born eleven children, 
namely: Daniel, William Perry, Harriet, 
Charles, Alonzo, Riley, Levi, John S. , Jona- 
than, Edgar, and Irving, all of whom grew to 
maturity. The father, Charles C, lived to be 
eighty-six years old. Both he and his wife 
were members of the old-school Baptist church. 
Riley Sanford, whose name is the title word 
of this biographical memoir, was married at 
twenty years of age to his first wife, Miss 
Temperance Jenkins, whose full history is 
contained in the I. H. Jenkins biography. 
She died at the age of about thirty-two years, 
leaving four children to mourn with her 
bereaved husband — Henry, Asol, Fmery, and 
David. Mr. Sanford's second wife was Miss 
Phebe Jenkins, a daughter of John Jenkins. 
The offspring of this marriage were two chil- 
dren, Charles H. and Esther T. 

Henry, the eldest son, married Sarah San- 
ford, and lives in Bragg Hollow. Asol was 
married three times. His first wife was Mary 
Thorpe, who left one child; the second was 
Mary Hanley, who also left one child; and the 
third w-as Agnes Miller, who is still living, 
and resides with her husband at Halcottsville. 
Emery was joined in wedlock to Eunice Jen- 
kins. They live at Kelly's Corners, and have 
four children. David F. married -Sarah 
Brooks, and is the father of three children; 
he owns a farm of one hundred and twenty-five 
acres, and is considered one of the most suc- 
cessful farmers in this region. Charles H. 
married Miss Marv A. Jaquish, and lives in 
Bragg Hollow. F^sther married Charles D. 
Rowe, lives in the same locality, and has four 
children. 

Riley Sanford disposed of his estate on 



BIOGRAPHIC A I, K KV I K\V 



y/i 



llubbcll Hill, and in iSj.S nicivx-d In iIk' tanii 
he now owns, ami upon wliich lu- n.-sitk-N. 
The handsome new l)iiiklini;> on llie place 
and its ;;enerally ini|ini\etl condition hear 
witness to his indiisti\- and jiid^nient. lie is 
a man <it fine pliysii|ue and slinni; nei\e, and 
is full of plans foi' future inipro\enient. Some 
years ago he mastered the art of veterinarv 
surgery, and- lias been \er\- successful in his 
practice. lie has held se\eral town olhccs. 
iiicluding that of Assessor. 




"()\. ISA.XC llOklOX M.WNAKI) 
is one ol the citizens of Delaware 
Count\' whose reputation as a man 
of ])ublic affairs extends far besoTuI 
the boundaries of his native .State, and whose 
name is connected with some (jf the most im- 
portant exents of the .State and nation in recent 
years. 

lie was born on April g, 1838, in ]-5ovina, 
son of Isaac and Jane (1-alconer) .Ma\nard. 
His great-grandfather, Isaiah Mavnard, emi- 
grated to this countr\- from the north of Eng- 
land about 1750, settling in the town of R\-e, 
afterward Harrison, Westchester Countv, X. \'. 
During the Revolutionary War the grandfather 
of Juilge Mavnard, l^lisha H. Maxnard, distin- 
guished himself as a ])atriot soldier; and in 
1790, when the dav.s of fighting were o\ei", he 
removed from Westchester Countv and settled 
in Bovina, then a part of Stamford. Delaware 
Countv. He was the first settler 'within the 
|)resent limits of the town of Hovina. Here 
in the wilderness he reared his familv of tne 
sons and seven daughters; and Isaac, born in 
1795, the father of the present Judge Mavnard. 
was the first white child born in the new settle- 
ment. Isaac .Maynard was a ])rominent man 
in the affairs of the town and county, serving 
as Magistrate for moit.- than twenty vears. 
His wife was born in 1797. in the citv of 
New \drk, and was the daughter of Archibaltl 
l-'alconer, a native of Nairn, Scotland. 

In the healthful and vigorous work of the 
home farm Isaac II. Maynard develo])ed a con- 
stitution which has not failed him in the 
arduous and wearisome tasks ol his maturer 
vears. In September, 1854, he entered the 
Stamford Seminary, where he jirepared for col- 



lege ; ;uul in 1838 he entered .\mll(■l•^l 
College, from which he vva> graduiiled with 
high honor in i8r)j, He tuok pri/e> lui 
(iieek, ;ind one lor prolu ieni v in t\Icm|)or.i 
neons deb;ite, delivered the ( iei ni:in oral ion at 
the Junioi- exhibition, pronounced one of tin.- 
luiglish or.ilions at c<pnnnencenunt, a'iid was 
valedictorian. He then studied law with the 
late Hon. William .Muirav, and in .November, 
1863, was admitted to the bar ;it Hinghamloii. 
He practised law in I)elhi until 186;, then 
removed to Stamford and formed ;i law partner- 
shi]) with his cousin, the Hon. I'. K. dilbeit, 
the firm of (iilbert & Mavnard continuing until 
January, 1878. He was Sufpervisor of the 
town, and was largelv instrumental in securing 
the incorporation of the village of .Stamford bv 
special act of the legislature in 1870. and was 
the author of its charter. He was the first 
President of the village, and was re-electeil 
unanimously for ten vears in succession. He 
was one ol the foimders of the .Stamford 
.Seminary in 1874, ■•■ ' -is a member of its 
Hoard ot Trustees ccame a |)art of the 

Cnion 1-ree .School in 18.S1. He was also one 
of the organi/.ers of the latter institution. 

His legislative career began in 187;. when 
he was elected a member of the Assemblv from 
Delaware Countv. and in that capacitv served 
on many im])ortant committees. He was an 
active su|)|)orter of (iovernor Tildeii in the ex- 
citing Presidential contest of 1877. and one of 
the foremost leaders of the Democratic ])artv. 
In November. 1877, he was electetl Jutlgeand 
.Surrogate ol Delaware Countv, and in hi> full 
term of six years showed rare judicial abililv 
anil integrity. In 1883 he was a candidate on 
the Democratic ticket for .Secretarv of .State, 
but was defeati-d. ( )n Januarv 1. 1S84. Judge 
Maynard was a])pointed bv .Attorney-Cieneral 
O'Brien. ]-"irst Deputv Attornev -(ieneral. and 
held the otifice till Jime 1. 1884. when he re- 
signed to Liccept the office of .Second Comp- 
tndler of the I'nitetl .States Treasurv, to 
which he hail been ap])ointed bv President 
Cleveland. When Judge .Mavnard went into 
the .Second Comptroller's oflice. the work of the 
office was over two vears behind; but. when he 
left it, the work was up to current <late. 
.Xjjril I, 1887, he was appointed .Assistant 
Secretarv of the Treasurv ; and here he hail 



S72 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



charge of the Custom Senice, the Internal 
Revenue Service, the Revenue Marine, the 
.Su|3crvising Surgeon-general's Bureau, the 
Navigation Bureau, the Life-saving Service, 
the Light-house Board, the Steam Inspection 
Service, the Miscellaneous Division, and the 
Supervising Architect's Bureau — all of which 
reciuired his personal attention. All these 
official services at Washington, involving so 
many different and intricate cases. Judge May- 
nard rendered thoroughly and faithfully, to the 
hearty satisfaction of the government and the 
approval of the public. On the inauguration 
of President Harri.son, Judge Maynard resigned 
his office, and May 22, 1889, was appointed by 
(iovernor Hill as one of the commissioners to 
revise the general laws of the State. In this, 
as in all of his official duties, he displayed 
rare ability. The work of the commission 
resulted in reducing by about one-half the 
entire bulk of the laws of the State. In Janu- 
ary, 1892, he was appointed by Governor 
Flower Associate Judge of the Court of 
Appeals, the appointment being confirmed by 
the Senate. 

Judge Maynard was married June 28, 1871, 
to Margaret M. Marvine, daughter of Charles 
Marvine, of Delhi, X. V. They have one 
daughter, Frances, a young lady of eighteen. 
Few ot our public men have discharged more 
constant and arduous duties than Judge May- 
nard. From the time of his first election as 
Supervisor of Stamford he has without ceasing 
worked for the public good in professional and 
political capacities, and his executive ability 
has proved to be of the highest order. For the 
foregoing facts, summarizing the career of this 
eminent citizen of Delaware County, the " Re- 
\iew " is indebted to the Albany press. 



ir^^AV'lD C. HO AG, a prosperous farmer 
I I of Andes, was born in the town of 

^4^9^ Delhi, July 3, 1864. His grand- 
father, William Hoag, a stone-mason 

of ICnglish descent, was born in Scotland. He 



married Kllen Jack.son, al.so a native of Scot- 
1 uid, who lived to be over ninety years of age. 
Mr. Hoag's death, which occurred when he 
was but fifty years of age, was caused by a 
large stone falling upon him. 



John Hoag, the father of the subject of this 
biography, came to America in 1852 with his 
wife Margaret and one child, James, and en- 
gaged in carpenter work at Andes. But eight 
of their family of twelve children are now liv- 
ing: James, whcj was born October 18, 1852, 
and with his wife, Blanche Bell (Knapp) 
Hoag, and two children, now resides in Wayne 
County, Penns)ivania; John, Jr., who married 
Betsey Hitt, and now lives in Evansville, 
Sullivan County, and has two children; Ella, 
who married William Van Kuren, a farmer of 
Andes, and is the mother of two children; 
Robert, who married Libbie Lewis, and is now 
a farmer with five children, in the town of 
Hardenburg, Ulster County ; Jennie, who mar- 
ried Warren Dean, a carpenter in Bovina; 
David C, the subject of this biography; Will- 
iam, who married Belle Middlemist, and is 
now a farmer in Sullivan County; and Thomas, 
who married Jennie Lunn, and is a farmer of 
Delhi, with one child. John Hoag moved from 
Andes to a farm in Delhi, whence he returned 
to Andes, where he bought one hundred and 
fifty acres. This he afterward sold, and went 
back to Delhi, where he at present tends the 
toll gates. He is a Republican in politics, 
and a member of the Presbyterian church. He 
was always active and industrious, and has 
been very successful in his undertakings. 

David C. Hoag was educated in his native 
town of Delhi, and at the age of twenty-three 
bought of Margaret Hoag a farm of two hun- 
dred and forty acres. His brother William 
shared the expense with him, and together they 
purchased two more farms, one of ninety-si.x 
and the other of fifty-fi\e acres, making them 
then the possessors of about four hundred acres. 
After a year David bought his brother's share, 
and, having .sold eighty-five acres, operates the 
rest as a dairy farm. He keeps thirt\' cows, 
grade Jerseys, and some young stock. In 1892 
he married Tina Fenton, daughter of Orin and 
Mary (McLean) l-'enton. Mr. F'enton owns a 
farm of two hundred and thirty acres near Perch 
Lake, and has a family of five children: Alex- 
ander, Geoi-ge, Andrew, Mamie, and Tina. 
Mr. I'enton enlisted in the One Hundred and 
First New York Infantry at the commencement 
of the war, received his discharge after three 
years' service, and is now drawing a pension. 



BIOGRAnilCAL REVIEW 



•^Ji 



Mr. Hoat;' is the owner of almiit twu-thirtls 
of I'crcli I.ako, an cxteiuleil \ie\v of which is 
ol)tainc(l fiom his residence. lie is classed 
anions; the successful farmers of the \icinitv. 
lie is a Republican in jiolitics, a man of broad 
views, liberal in relij;ious matters, and a 
kind nei<;hbor, lo\ed anil resjiected h\ all who 
know him. 




^ 'LUM-AX L. WAl riJ-.S is the 
wealthiest citizen of Sidney Centre, 
in the town of Sidney, Delaware 
County, where he has held many 
offices, and is a very influential man. He 
was born in another jxirt of the same town, 
May 6, 1816, just as the War of 1812 was 
over, and in the very year when James Mon- 
roe was elected as the successor of James 
Madison in the Presidential chair. 

'I'he grandfather for whom he was named, 
Sluman Wattles, was born in the town of 
Lebanon, Litchfield County, Conn., in 1753, 
of Scotch descent. He was a lanti surveyor, 
and came to this region in 1784 to make sur- 
veys in connection with the Livingston 
grants. He brought his young wife with him, 
bought land, and at last became owner of a 
quarter of the Livingston Patent. The whole 
estate measured four miles by si.xteen, and 
Grandfather Wattles's jiart of it was a mile 
from the present town of Franklin. When he 
first came hither, Surveyor Wattles was on 
horseback, and had to follow the water- 
courses as his only guiile. It wp.s an un- 
known country, full of Indians; but the)' were 
not hostile to the new-comer, who made a 
treaty with them, though not without the 
[jlentiful aid of whiskey. They knew him 
well, and trusted him: and, when his log 
house was built, with its bark roof and doors 
of split log, they often stayed over night 
within its shelter. At the outset there were 
no white settlers in the neighborhood. The 
nearest mill was at Schoharie, forty miles 
away. l-"or meat they had game from the for- 
est and fish from the stream: and their bread 
was mostly johnny-cake, made of mai/e, or 
Indian corn. P"or a long time he held the 
office of Judge. As such he heli)ed organize 
the countv, and was the first member elected 



from it to the .State Assembly. The Judge's 
first wife died in early lifi-. of sm;dl-po.v. 
His second wife was Hetsy Hulls, of .Sidney; 
and his first child, Mrs. Hetsy iJcwey, en- 
joyed the distinction of being the first white 
child born in the county after the Kevcdulion. 
The old gentleman was a stanch Presbyterian, 

I and spent his last years in Siilney, where he 
died in 1S37, at the good, square age of 

' eighty-five. He had raised a large family, all 
of whom li\'ed to glow Lip, though only two 
survived him. Their names were: Caroline, 
Sluman, Join, .Simon, .Sally, 15et.sy, Chand- 
ler, Nathaniel. 

Of these children the youngest, Xalh;uiiel, 
was born in I-'ranklin, and married l-.niily 
Birdsall, of Otego. He combined the two 
professions of agriculture and theologv, being 
both an able farmer and a good Bajjtist 
preacher. Alwa\s of studicnis habits, he ob- 
tained a good education for his day. His last 
years were passed on the farm at East .Sidney, 
where he died at the age of sevent\-five ; but 
his wife died at forty-five. They brought 
into the world si.x boys and a daughter, all 
but one of whom are still living. The eldest, 
Sluman L. Wattles, named for his grand- 
father, is the subject of this sketch. Caro- 
line is the wife of William Dewey, of Sidne)- 
Centre. Walter \\'attles is a Sidney farmer. 
Gilbert Wattles is at Minneapolis, Minn. 
Homer Wattles lives in McHenry, III. 
lulwin Wattles is in .Sidney. Their brother 
Russell died in the ])riiiie ',f lift-, aged only 
thirty-five. 

Mr. Sluman L. Waiue^ g'>" !■" manhood 
in East Sidney, attending the district school, 
and then studying at Trenton .Academy. 
Though he followed farming as his life work, 
he was always a great student. ]ioring o\er his 
books almost unaided, but to such gooil pur- 
pose that at the age of eighteen, in the _\ear 
1834. he could teach school, and continued so 
doing for ten successive winters, always re- 
turning to the farm in summer. Soon after 
reaching his majority, in 1S37, he was ap- 
pointed Superintendent of .Schools for the 
towMi of Sidney. In 1S46, at the age of 
thirty, he was created Justice of Peace, and 
held the office for nearly a quarter-century. 
In fact, during nearly all his adult life 



574 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



he has held one or another public position, 
having been Supervisor five years. He was 
also a Notary Public; and this led him into 
much legal business, in addition to agricul- 
ture. 

On the second day of the year 1847, at the 
age of thirty-one, he was married to Wealthy 
Ann Porter, a native of Conway, Franklin 
County, Mass., where she was born October 
1 8, 1824, the daughter of George R. and 
Elizabeth (Chauncey) Porter, who was a kins- 
woman of Commodore Isaac Chauncey, an 
officer of great service to the States in the 
War of 1812. G. R. Porter was a native of 
Nova Scotia, and belonged to an old family. 
In his early days he came to Sidney, where he 
farmed until his death. He was the father of 
five children, four of whom have lived to ad- 
vanced age. Of these children Mrs. Wattles 
is the eUiest. Mary Ann Porter is the widow 
of Rinaldo Southwick, and lives in Boston 
with her son. William Porter carries on the 
home farm. Elizabeth Porter is the wife of 
Isaac De Cou, and makes her home in Harrison 
County, Iowa. George Porter, named for his 
father, died in babyhood. The Porters were 
Baptists, and in this religious faith Mrs. Wat- 
tles continues. Her husband, however, is a 
liberal, belonging to no church. When he 
sold his farm and came to Sidney Centre in 
1846, there was no village here; and he wit- 
nessed the erection of every house in the 
place. They have but one child, Kate, born 
in Sidney, March 21, 1855, and married to 
luigene Hanford, a Walton lawyer. 

In politics Mr. Wattles is a Democrat. 
He is a leading man in town affairs, a large 
owner of real estate, and Vice-President of 
the Sidney National Bank. He is a genial, 
cheerful, and popular gentleman, who rarely 
goes beyonil the boundaries of his native 
town; and his wife is a born lady, given to 
liospitality. 

"Agriculture engenders good sense, and 
good sense of an excellent kind." This say- 
ing of a French author fits the career of Mr. 
Wattles, who would perhaps add, with the 
English poet, Alexander Pope: — 



For modes of faith, let graceless zealots fight : 
His can't be wrong whose life is in the right. 



Ji 



Wi: LU ROBERT.S, one of the ex- 
tensive agriculturists of Delaware 
County, was born in Bragg Hollow, 
in Middletown, April 30, 1838, 
.son of Joshua F. and Hulda (Weld) 
and grandson of Da\id Weld and of 



being a 
Roberts, 
Ira Roberts. 

David Weld, the maternal grandfather, 
settled in Delaware County in the early days, 
when the country was still wild and mostly 
inhabited by the . bear, wild-cat, deer, and 
other wild animals. Afterward he went 
West, and died there. Ira Roberts, the pater- 
nal grandfather, came with his wife, whose 
maiden name was Baker, from their native 
place, Putnam County, in 181 5, and settled in 
Bragg Hollow. His farm here consisted of 
one hundred acres of land that had been some- 
what already improved. About six months 
after entering upon his undertaking he died in 
his new home, leaving his wife with eight 
children, one of them being Joshua 1". Mrs. 
Roberts lived to be about eighty years old. 

D. Weld Roberts, son of Joshua F. , was 
educated at the district school, and afterward 
turned his attention to the work on his father's 
farm till he was about twenty-eight years old. 
Then he was married to Miss Elizabeth Mead, 
daughter of John T. and Rachel (Keater) 
Mead. John T. Mead was a son of David and 
lilizabeth (Ballard) Mead. His father was a 
Baptist minister, a laborious and earnest man, 
devoted to the spiritual welfare of the people 
he endeavored to serve. John T. Mead had a 
district-school education ; and, when of age, 
he bought of Orvy Stevenson a farm of one 
hundred and ten acres, where he lived for six- 
teen years, adding new buildings, and improv- 
ing the place by degrees. But, concluding 
after a while to .sell out, he bought the Thomas 
and Harry Keater place, and there lived about 
fourteen years. Then, circumstances seeming 
to call for a change, he went to Roxbiuy, 
bought a house there, and settled down for 
some time. Still later he moved over to 
Batavia Kill, where he remained till his death, 
which occurred at the age of eighty-five years. 
John T. Mead was a Republican, and it is 
related of him that he never missed putting in 
a vote. 

Rachel Keater, wife of fohn T. Mead, was 




George Hdee. 



HIOGRArillCAL RF'-.VIKW 



.';7 7 



a (laui^htcr of Joseph and I'olly (White) 
Kcatcr. Joscjih Kcater was lioin in l\.inj;'slnn, 
a son of Cornelius Keatcr. lie was also one 
of the ])ioneers, antl took his part in suhduinj; 
the wilderness. lie settled on the Halavia 
Kill, and hou;.;"ht the farm of l)aniel Keater 
eonii)osed of ahout three hundred acres, hut 
S(dd one-half of the land. lie has elearetl the 
remainder, and has now li\ed on the place 
forty-eight \ears. His wife is now sexenly- 
foiu" years old. They have had ei,i;iit chil- 
dren—Mary, Mehitable, l-;iizaheth, Rachel, 
Deborah. Ihomas, Harry, and t'hauncx. 
Thomas and Harry built the first store in the 
Kill, and were \er\- successful in conducting 
it, considering the limitations of those da\s. 

Mr. and Mrs. U. Weld Roberts have two 
children. (leorge, the elder .son, l)orn Januar\' 
29, 1868, married Miss Peace llubbel; and 
they live at the ]iarental home. The other 
son, Nelson J., born .A]iril 7, 1874, is a car- 
penter by trade. I). Weld Roberts bought a 
farm of two hundred and si.xty acres in Hragg 
Hollow. After selling it to his father, he 
piu'chased other land, and continued to add 
more aiul more, till now he has a spacious trad 
of culti\-ated land co\ering fully three hundred 
acres. He has built a ver\- large barn, which 
is in size sixtv-four by sixt\-six teet, twenty- 
six feet of this being an overshot. Mr. 
Roberts has a herd of foity cows, mostly 
Alderneys; also a flock of o\er eighty sheej), 
with poultry and other accessories of a ])rosper- 
ous farm. Mr. Roberts is a Democrat in his 
|)olitical opinions. Hoth he and his wife are 
members of the Methodist I'.piscopal churcli. 



/^JlTuRGK ADEl':, a well-known lawyer 
\ JX residing on Main Street, Delhi, 
^-^ N.Y., was born January 25. 1834. 
in Bo\ina, Delaware County. His lather, 
.Stephen R., was a native of the same town, 
born there June 14. iSoi. and was the sf)n of 
.Samuel Adee. who was the son of Jonathan, 
who died about the commencement of the 
Revolutionary War. Jonathan had two .sons 
and three daughters: namely, Samuel. Ph(fbe, 
Sarah, Rebecca, and Jonathan. Their father 
was John, who had four sons and one tlaughter; 
namely, Jonathan, William. Daniel. John, and 



Hannah. John .\dei- .\,i^ .1 ui i... m i.iils' 
lite, and nio\i'd from I'l ii\ idiiicc. R.I., to 
Rye in or liefore 1721), and en;;aL;ed in farm- 
ing and real est.ite ojierations. lie- ilieij in 
17S4, having li\ed in America most of his 
lile, his native countr\' being ICngland, where 
he was born, and Iroin whence he c:iin<- to 
.\merica with his family in the earh pirl of 
the eighteenth century. The family were of 
P'rench extraction, (lating b.ick to Count 
Adee. whose aricestial home was at Cler- 
mont, forty miles from Paris. The second 
brother of the \'iseount was contemporarv 
with the celebrated i\Iary. (jueen of .Scots, 
and accompanied that unfortunate queen when 
she left France tfi take her place on the throne 
of .Scotland. One branch of the family moved 
to Cirencester. Ciloucestershire, I-Ingland : and 
their moninnents may be seen to this dav. 
bearing the family coat of arms. 




••I5i(,i..\M>'s Hi-roKV or- GMU-cr:sTi:KsHii<i;, 
"1791. 

■"Arms of Adee of (.'irencester in Glouces- 
tershire. England, namely:-- 

"Three ' crosses, points downw.ard, one in 
pale and two in saltier, encircled with :i 
coronet. 

"In the south cross-aisle of the church of 
Holvrood, parish of .Xmpney. in the hun- 
dred of Crowther and Menter and in the 
deanery of I'airford. two miles from Air- 
mouth, there is a monument with a Latin in- 
scription recording the death of Mary, wife "l 
Smithin .Adee, Ksquire. who died on the loth 
of lulv. 1729; and on it are these arms, 
namely : — 

"Three cros.scs. jiolnts downward, one in 



57S 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



pale and 
coronet. 



two in saltier, encircled with a 




"The family arms of Adee of Aberdeen- 
shire, Scotland, descended from the second 
brother of the Viscount Adee, who came over 
to Scotland from France in the suit of Mary, 
the Oueen Mother, with the motto on scroll: 
"'Crux Mihi Grata Ouies.' 
"(The cross to me is joyful rest.)" 




The Adee coat of arms was brought to 
America by John Adee about two hundred 
years ago. 

Samuel Adee, grandfather of the subject of 
this sketch, was a boy only ten years of age 
at the outbreak of hostilities with the mother 
country. The Tory boys would whip him 
while on his way to and from school on ac- 
count of his patriotism, but it only made 
him more enthusiastic. He moved to the 
town of Bovina with his family in April, 
1793, being one of the first settlers in the 
town. His brother Jonathan settled near 
Reynoldsville, Tompkins County, N.Y., about 
the same time. Samuel was an energetic man 
in all that he undertook. Settling in the 
midst of a dense forest, the piercing scream 
of the panther, the sullen growl of the bear, 
the sharp bark of the wolf, were ever and anon 
heard, kept back at night by large fires kin- 
dled for that purpose. In three days he 
erected a log house, which in the course of 
seven or eight years gave way to a fine frame 
dwelling; while a large frame barn, with some 



seventy-five acres of cultivated land, attested 
his enterprise and perseverance. His wife 
was Sarah Bloomer, of White Plains, where 
she lived in the troubled times of the Revolu- 
tion, when the country was scoured alternately 
by the redcoats and the patriot soldiers of 
Washington. They were married soon after 
peace was restored, and reared a large family 
of children to be useful and worthy members 
of the community. • They were members of 
the Baptist church, old school. He would go 
fifteen miles on foot to a church a little east 
of Harpersfield Centre, and his wife on horse- 
back, to attend divine service. He died in 
October, 1828, and his wife in March, 1843. 
Their children's names were as follows: 
Joshua, Elizabeth, Ann, Jonathan, Deborah, 
Darius, Esther, and Stephen B. 

The latter, inheriting his father's energetic 
nature, remained on the old homestead, and 
occupied himself with its cultivation and im- 
provement. He erected a fine house in 1839, 
and subsequently new barns. In 1831 he mar- 
ried Miss Elizabeth D. Ludington, a lineal 
descendant of Lady Jane Pinckney, a daughter 
of Sir John Pinckney, England's historic law- 
yer and Earl of Derby. His son, Thomas 
Pinckney, came to America in 1687, accom- 
panied by his sister Jane; and he was com- 
missioned Governor of the Carolinas. Jane 
married Mr. Fowler; and their daughter Jane 
married Thomas Foster; and their daughter, 
Mary, married Joseph Northrup; and their 
daughter, Jane, married Henry Ludington ; and 
their daughter, Elizabeth D., married Stephen 
B. Adee, father and mother of George Adee. 
They were members of the Baptist church, old 
school. Henry Ludington's father, Samuel, 
and five brothers served under Washington 
during the Revolutionary War, and one was a 
Colonel on his .staff. The father of the six 
Ludingtons was an Englishman, born in Liv- 
erpool, and had been an officer in the ICnglish 
navy. He moved to America with his family 
at an earlv date, and settled at the place in 
Putnam County that bore his name. Their 
patriotism made them famous for the part 
they all took in gaining our independence. 
Samuel marched with the troops from New- 
York, and was present at the surrender of 
Lord Cornwall is at Yorktown, Va. He moved 



RIOGRAl'HICAI. REVIKW c;70 

from Liuliiigtonvillc with liis family, in 1795. I<>w;i, with a (iau-iUfr <if hrr lirst in.tt ria.;.-. 

He and his sun Hcniv cleared up adjoinini; Thr l^octor was a son nf lli-nr\ i-'urniaii. a 

farms in Bovina, N.\'., the whole hcin.i; now thrifty farmer residin;; aemss the river frum 

owneil and occupied hy Henry's son, Thomas Hlnumville. who was a son of Jaeoh I'orman, an 

H. Ludin,!;ton. early settler in that vicinity, and whose father 

Stephen B. Adee and his wife I~.lizaheth D. came to this country hefore the Revidnt ionarv 

reared six children Henry L., Ceori^e, War, and had a flail made of iron with which 

•James S.. William A., IClizaheti) R., and to thrash I'ories. He was taken prisoner 

Mary H. The mother died April 2^, 1847, ^^''^'1 '^'^ '1'i'l' ''"'I ^'^'"'^ t" l'-n^;iand for trial, 

aged thirty-seven years. The father, Stephen He was ac(iuitted, and returned to this coun- 

B. Adee, married .Miss Nancy Orr, of Kort- try: hut his flail is in the Ijiglish .Museum 

right, in 184S. He died February 15, 1870, to this day. George Adee remained at iJav- 

and his wife in 1877. They are now resting enport Centre till 1875, having a large law 

in a cemetery in the upper jvart of Bovina, practice. In the year mentioned he removed 

where the eldest son, Ilenrv L., who died at to Delhi with his family, and still resides 

the early age of sixteen, was laid by tlie side there, having a successful practice in all the 

nf his mother in 1848. courts of the .State, including the general 

George Adee, the subject of this notice, terms of the Supreme Court and the Court of 

s[)ent his early years on the old homestead Appeals, where he has met with great success, 

where his father and grandfather had lived George and I-'rances M. .\dee have one 

before him. He attended the common child, a son, Stephen Forman Adee. horn 

schools, and out of school hours assisted his August 22, 1865, at Davenport Centre, where 

father on the farm. In 1854, at the age of he attended the comnKjn school till he moved 

twenty, he entered the Delaware Academy at to Delhi with his jiarents in 1875. He then 

Delhi, N.Y., where he remained for two entered the Delaware .Academy, and was grad- 

years, except one term, during which he iiatcd in 1885. l'"rom this institution he 

taught school. In August, 1856, he entered went to Cornell University at Ithaca, N.\'., 

the law office of the late Hon. .Samuel Gor- where, after a year of unceasing study, his 

don, of Delhi, w^here he read until July 15, health gave way ; and he returned home for a 

1857, and was then admitted to the iiar at a year. His health improving, in September, 

general term of the Supreme Court held at 1887, he entered Columbia College Law 

Coojierstown, X.Y. He began practice in .School in Xew \'ork City. While there, in 

Hobart, where he remained four years. In 1889, he was admitted to the bar at a general 

1861 he removed to Davenjiort Centre. On term of the .Suiireme Court held in Brooklyn. 

October 4, 1864, he m:irried Miss I'rances M. and was graduated at the close of the term in 

Forman, daughter of Stephen I'orman. M.D., June, 1889. Returning to Delhi, he then 

of Bloomville. who practised there for more entered upon the practice of law with his 

than fifty years. Her mother was Miss I'm- father, the firm being G. & S. F. Adee; and 

dence Roberts, a daughter of ICli Roberts, a they enjoyed a good and successful practice 

successful farmer, who moved from Dutchess until February, 1891, when he bought the 

County, Xew York, and settled about four Delaware /f.r/»n-,o-, and was a successful editor 

miles above Bloomville, when it was all a and [proprietor of that i)aper. Soon tiiereafter 

wilderness. She was an interesting lady, a he started and was projirielor of the Amies 

leader in society, and a worker in the Metho- Rccoidii; at Ancles, X.Y., and also started 

dist I'^piscopal church at Blo<imville, of which and was proprietor of the Walton Tinus, at 

she and the Doctor were members. She died Walton, X.Y., each of which he sold: and 

in 1857. The Doctor afterward married Mrs. October i. 1894, he sold the Delaware /:".r//v.o- 

ICmiline Wright. He died Se])tember 4, to William Clark, and then formed a copart- 

1884, and was" laid at rest beside his wife and nership with G. W. & H. D. Crawford, under 

two daughters in the cemetery at Bloomville, the firm name of Crawfords & Adee, and they 
N.Y. His widow now resides at Inwood, , entered into an extensive lumber business as 



s8o 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



manufacturers, imjiorters, and wholesale and 
retail dealers at Delhi, N.Y. The family 
attend the Second Presbyterian Church of this 
place, of which the mother and son are active 
members. 

George Adee, in the mean time, continued 
the practice of the law. He has always been 
a consistent Republican, and in many a politi- 
cal contest has stumped the county, and made 
speeches from time to time in almost every 
town therein, being hailed as one of the best 
Republican speakers of the county. He is a 
good orator, whether in a political contest or 
at the bar, his aim being to follow down the 
lines of truth and so arrange the facts and law 
as to carry conviction to jury and court. His 
pleas are interspersed with touching pathos 
and cutting sarcasm, and he so fully debates 
both sides of the issue that opposing counsel 
have but little to say except to repeat his 
arguments. His audience often sit in breath- 
less silence, except when he turns a point of 
mirth, and then break forth in cheer upon 
cheer. He has won many a legal contest by 
his superior eloquence over his adversaries. 

He still resides at Delhi, hale, hearty, and 
robust, pursuing the even tenor of his way, 
and enjoving great popularity. He has al- 
ways been an able counsellor, a true and 
trusted friend, an accommodating neighbor, 
beloved and respected by every one, a kind 
and affectionate husband and father. His 
house is fitted with all the modern improve- 
ments, and furnished in the best and latest 
style; and it is often the scene of joyous 
social gatherings, presided over with graceful 
hospitality by his loving wife, a lady of rare 
gifts of heart and mind. 

The accompanying portrait of this distin- 
guished member of the Delaware County bar, 
together with the illustrations of the escutch- 
eons of the ancient family of which he is a 
notable representative, will be highly appre- 
ciated h\ the readers of the "Review." 



'OSEA JENKINS, well-known dealer 
in agricultural implements at Trout 
Creek, in the town of Tompkins, 
was born in Roxbury, in the east- 
ern part of the countv. His great-great- 




grandfather was Solomon Jenkins, whose son, 
Nathaniel, was born in Dutchess County. 
Nathan Jenkins, son of Nathaniel, was also a 
native of Dutchess County; and his son Hor- 
ace, the father of the subject of this sketch, 
was born in Roxbury. The Jenkins family 
came to this country from Wales. One of 
the ancestors of Mr. Jenkins was killed in the 
battle of White Plains; and for many years 
some of his clothing, torn with buckshot, 
showing where he received his death wound, 
was preserved in the family. 

Nathan Jenkins was one of the pioneers of 
Batavia Kill, being the first man to drive a 
wagon into that town ; and there he cleared 
his land, and erected a log cabin, subsisting 
chiefly on the fish and game which abounded 
in the vicinity. His father was a Revolu- 
tionary soldier, and received a pension for his 
services, dying in Roxbur\' when over ninety 
years of age. Nathan Jenkins married Lydia 
Morse, of Roxbury; and nine children were 
born of this union — Horace, Hosea, Benja- 
min, Smith, Albert, Phoebe, Celia, Margaret, 
and Irene. Nathan Jenkins died at Batavia 
Kill, aged eighty-three years. 

Horace Jenkins attended the district school 
in Roxbury, assisting his parents on the farm, 
and later purchased land for himself, which 
he cleared and cultivated. His wife was Annie 
Vermilya, daughter of Solomon and Susan 
(Milnix) Vermilya, of Middletown, Delaware 
County; and she became the mother of five 
children, as follows: Susan, who married 
Jesse Howes, of Sullivan County; Orson, who 
married Helen Chandler, of Pennsylvania; 
William, whose wife was Sarahette Southard, 
of Tompkins; Irene, who married John A. 
Wilber, of Sidney; and Hosea, subject of this 
sketch. Horace Jenkins, after disposing of 
the old homestead, removed to Tompkins, and 
purchased land on Knickerbocker Kill, clear- 
ing one hundred acres, and engaging in farm- 
ing and dairying. On the death of his wife 
in 1890, he sold this place, and retired from 
active pursuits, going to live with his daugh- 
ter in Tompkins; and here he still resides, 
strong and hearty as of old. He cast his first 
vote for Andrew Jackson, and his last with 
the Democratic party was for James K. Polk. 
He then gave his support to the Republican 



HIOC.RAI'HICAI, Ri;VIK\\ 



',S, 



party, voting with that organization at the 
lime of Lincoln's st-conil election, and has 
c\er since been a stanch defender of its jirin- 
cijiles. He is a highly respected nieniher of 
liie Baptist church, in the good works of 
which he is always prominent. 

llosea Jenkins, son of Horace and .Annie 
(Vermilya) Jenkins, removed to Tomiikins 
from Ko.xbury with his ])arenls when l)ut ten 
years of age, and, besides attending llie dis- 
trict school and assisting in the care of the 
farm, learned the carpenter's trade. He pur- 
chased a farm containing a portion of the old 
homestead and some adjoining land; antl here 
he lived until 1894, when he sold it antl 
bought a home in the \illage of Trout Creek, 
where he now resides. I'or twenty vears he 
has dealt in all kinds of farm implements, and 
is still engaged e.\tensi\'ely in tiiis business. 

March 13, i<S58. he married Miss Mary 
Ann Sherwootl, daughter of James and Chloe 
(Steward) Sherwood, of Ro.\l)ury. The Sher- 
wood famih' are of German ancestry, the 
father of James Sherwood being Moses Sher- 
wood, a ijioneer of Roxbury, and a sharp- 
shooter in the War of 1812. It has always 
been said that he was the man who killed 
(ieneral Brock: ami his own explanation of 
the affair was, "I don't kn<iw as I killed him; 
but 1 took good aim, and saw him fall." 
Moses Sherwood settletl in Roxbury at the 
beginning of this century, his first habitation 
being a log cabin with a blanket for a door. 
The wolves and other wild animals howled 
about the house at night: and many a time, 
while her husband was at war, the wife of this 
sturdy pioneer was obliged to lift her oldest 
bov to the horse's back that he might go to the 
mill. He lived to be over ninety years of 
age, active and rugged to tiie end. being able 
to read without glasses. His wife, Sarah 
Cator Sherwood, was born in Roxbury. Their 
son James, the father of Mrs. Jenkins, was a 
successful farmer of Roxbury, fidlowing that 
occupation throughout his life. His children 
were: George, Mary. I'.lizabeth, James, Sarah. 
I'lleanor, Chloe, Peter, and Melissa. He 
died at Ro.xlniry in 1894. at the age of eighty- 
four years, having been for many years a 
member of the Methodist Kpisopal church. 

Hosea Tenkins and his wife are the parents 



er 



I »i it Ml 1 i il 1 ii 1 1 1 ■! I 

Shultes 

mother of one child 

married Marvin H 



I . \ , 1 , 1 I n ■ win- ■ 1 1 > n 11 u I 

in I'ompkins, and tiie 

]!lan(lie: jjnm.i, \\lici 




111 
hi 

CO 



ig as commissKdier 01 iiigiuvays. I 
s estimable wife attend the Methodi>t 
)]>al church at Trout Creek. 



■pi- 




\<)Rri;K j.AKIX, a respected citi/en 
ot the town o| Hancock, was born 
[£i I )ctober 9, 184;, on the old home- 
stead in Hancock, r.ow occu|>ied b\ 
his l)rother, James I. akin, whose biograph\'. 
together with the familv historw mav l)e found 
in anotlur ])ait of this \olume. 

Portei' l.akin was educated in tin- <listih t 
schools of his nati\e town, and since his six- 
teenth vear has followed the ri\'er as a lumber- 
man, besides carrying on an extensive farm 
business. His home has been in the neighbor- 
hood of Hawk Point. June 16, 1867, he mar- 
rietl Marv Mills, a native of Prattsville, 
daughter of ilenr\ and Margaret (Rowe) Mills. 
Henr\ Mills came from Glasgow, .Scotland, 
and setth-d at Prattsville, Greene County, 
where he was for a time employed in the 
woollen-mills. Later he mo\ed to I'.quinimk, 
Pa., where he bought a \ vr.:t and lived for some 
vears, after which he came to Hancock, first 
making his home on (ireeiie l-"lat, later :it 
Hawk Point, where he ]Kissed his last da\s, 
dying in 1868. His wife, who was a native 
of Greene Count}'. sur\i\ed him a number of 
vears. -She was the mother of a large family. 

Mr. and Mrs. l.akin ha\e had ten children, 
namelv : Jidius. born December 30. 1 8'>S ; 
Lrnest, born ( )ctober 7. 1871; 1 Lury I^gbert. 
born October 16. 1872; Maud Lillian, born 
Ianuar\ ro. 1876, died .SeiHember 20. 18S0; 
Porter 1).. born March J8. 1878, died .\i>ril 7. 
r88o: Pari R.. born l-'el)ruary .y;. i.'<8o; Her 
bert 1), born January 8, 188.?: .Margaret .M.. 
born .November 9. 1884: Lllen Mills, horn 



582 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



June 26, 1887; Porter H., born November 4, 
1892. 

Mr. Lakin has over ei<;ht hundred acres of 
land, much of which is under cultivation, the 
methods used being the most modern. By his 
interest in the public welfare and his diligent 
application to business he commands the re- 
spect of his fellow-townsmen, whose apprecia- 
tion of him has been often attested by their 
votes at the polls. He is a Democrat, and has 
held a number of positions of trust and honor, 
having been Assessor of the town for six years, 
and being now Commissioner of Highways. 



Knox H., a child of two years, having been 
born October 18, 1892. 




lEV. MILTON C. HAMBLY was or- 
dained in October, 1893, as pastor of 
the Presbyterian church of Ham- 
den, Delaware County, N.Y. He 
is a Canadian, having been born in Nobleton, 
County York, Ontario, in 1858. His grand- 
father was William Hambly, of Nova Scotia, 
who married Nancy F"isher, and died in the 
prime of life, leaving a widow, three sons, 
and one daughter. Their son John was born 
in Nova Scotia in 1828, and married Mary 
Ann Holden, who was born at Brampton, 
Ontario, in 1839. ^'^^- Hambly is engaged 
in mercantile life in Toronto. He and his 
wife are the parents of seven children: 
Amelia C, wife of W. H. Ayer, of Toronto; 
William S., a commercial traveller, residing 
in Toronto; the Rev. Milton C. ; Jennie E., 
wife of John A. Trollope, a Methodist minis- 
ter in Ontario; John W. F., a commercial 
traveller, who is unmarried and lives at his 
parents' home in Toronto; George J., who is 
also a commercial traveller; and M. C. F. 
Hambly, who is married and in business with 
his father. 

Milton C. Hambly received his early educa- 
tion at Nobleton, and was graduated from Knox 
College, Toronto, in April, 1893. He is an 
energetic, earnest worker in the gospel, intent 
on rightly divining the word of truth. On 
May 19, 1 88 5, he married Miss Elspeth L. 
Butchart, of Mildmay, Ontario, daughter of 
John and Isabella (Kennedy) l^utchart. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hambly are the parents of three 
children: Ivan C, born February 5, 1887; 
Elwood C, who was born December 7, 1888; 




RTHUR F. BOUTON, well known as 
a leading business man of Roxbury, 
N.Y., was born in this town, July 
I, 1872, son of Burrett and Eliza- 
beth (P'risbee) Bouton. The paternal grand- 
parents were John T. and Betsy M. (Fuller) 
Bouton, the former of whom was the son of 
Samuel Bouton. 

Burrett Bouton was born in Roxbury in 
1847, and received his education at the Rox- 
bury Academy. At the age of fifteen he 
began to work as a clerk for his father, who 
kept a store of general merchandise, and after- 
ward became a partner in the business. 
Having acquired a knowledge of the legal pro- 
fession, in 1S85 he gave up commercial 
interests, and devoted his entire time to the 
practice of law. He was an active and useful 
citizen, a strong Democrat in politics, and 
twice served his town as Supervisor. He 
died in 1891, at the comparatively early age 
of forty-three, leaving three children — Ar- 
thur F., Anna, and John Frisbee Bouton. 
The mother of these children, Mrs. Elizabeth 
(Frisbee) Bouton, daughter of John and Jane 
(Smith) Frisbee, survives her husband, and is 
a lady much respected by a wide circle of 
friends. She is a member of the Reformed 
church of Roxbury. 

Arthur F., the elder son of Burrett Bou- 
ton, received his early education in the com- 
mon school at Roxbury, and later attended the 
Stamford Seminary. At the age of seventeen 
he began to read law with his father, and after 
the latter's death continued his legal studies 
with A. C. Crosby, I£sq. Later he turned his 
attention to the insurance business, and at 
this time represents the New York Life In- 
surance Company, and also some of the best 
fire and accident insurance companies. In 
1892 he married Miss Lulu Craft, a daughter 
of A. J. and Elizabeth (Faulkner) Craft, of 
Roxbury. Mr. Bouton's office and residence 
are both on Main Street. He is the Town 
Clerk, and is connected with the fraternal 
orders, being a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, No. 608, of Ro.xbury. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



v<^^ 



(^AMES HUNT, a practical farnuT and 
highly respected citizen ol' Tompkins, 
Delaware County, N.Y., was born in 
Charlestown, N.H., May 2~, 1827, and 
was of ICnglish and American parentage. 
His father, Henry Hunt, was a native of Lon- 
don, England, and led a sailor's life for a num- 
ber of years, afterward settling in America. 
He married Esther Hart, wIkj was horn near 
Charlestown; and for a time he resided in the 
State of New Hampshire. He then moved to 
Springfield, Vt., where he died in the prime 
of life, leaving his widow with four children. 
She lived near Springfield until her death. 

James Hunt was very young when his father 
died, and he came to live with his aunt, Mrs. 
Benjamin Lane, about one mile from Can- 
nonsville, Delaware County. Here he grew 
to manhood, and lived until his marriage at 
thirty-four years of age. Starting out in life 
for himself, Mr. Hunt purchased a tract of 
timbered land, which he cleared, and then sold 
a few years later, buying one hundred acres now 
included in his present farm. .About twenty 
acres of this land had been cleared, and it 
contained one log house. Mr. Hunt at once 
began to fell the trees and preiwre more land 
for cultivation. He has at present uj)ward of 
seventy acres cleared, and has erected good 
frame buildings. 

Mr. Hunt was married on November 6. 
1861, his bride being Miss Harriet I'llizabeth 
Hathaway, who was born in Tomjikins, a 
daughter of IJenjamin and Llizahelh Hatha- 
way. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt are the parents of 
two children: Grace 15., w'ho married .Samuel 
L. Halbert: and I-"rank L. Mrs. Hunt is a 
member of the Presbyterian church at Can- 
nonsville, and both she and her husband are 
respected throughout the community in which 
they reside. 




)E\T SYIA'ESTI'.R CIIACE, druggist, 
also Postmaster of Walton, Delaware 
County, N.Y., was born in the 
town of Hamden, January 21, 1.S37. 
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Chace emi- 
grated from Holland previous to the Revolu- 
tionary War, and at the breaking out of 
hostilities was a soldier under General Wash- 



ington. He settled in Rhode Island, a\v\ w.is 
the father of three sons who lived to niaturitv. 
all of whom came to Delaware County. Thev 
were .Sylvester, Philip, and (ieorge. (ieorgi- 
Chace married Christina \'.in Hun.->< n, by 
whom he had ten children, who may be thus 
briefly mentioned: llir.im (i. settled near 
Hetliany, Pa., where he married and reared a 
family. William (',. settle.l in Hradfonl 
County, Pennsylvania, and married .Miss R. 
Church. P'rancis, who went to California, 
died young. Henry is a residrnt of Delaware 
County. p:(Kvard lives in Illinois. Sarah 
married Allen Crandall. of Alba, Pa. Maria 
married Henry Lill, i>f Delhi, both of whom 
are deceased. Lydia A., married to George 
Innman, died in Pennsylvania. Amv married 
Warren Peak. Augustus H., tiie father of the 
subject of this sketch, was born in Hamden 
in 1813, and married Miss Harriet .Monfort, 
of Kortright, by whom he had these children: 
Levi S. is our subject. Jared, a farmer of 
Delos, N.V., died 1S91. William is a resi- 
dent of Binghamton. N.V. Marv, married to 
Clark Gould, of Walton, died in 1871. 
Emily is the wife of Robert Harvey, of this 
county. Hattie died [889, at p:imira, N.V. 
Mr. Chace lived to see many important 
changes in the county, all the outcome of 
progress and [prosperity. He was an old-time 
, Democrat up to the time of his death, in 
1874. Mrs. Chace is still living, residing 
with her son at \V;Uton. 

Levi S. Chace was educateil at the schools 
of his native village, afterward settling ujinn 
a farm, where he remained utitil 1864, when 
he came to Walton, shortly emlj.irking in the 
drug business, which he has continued up to 
the i)resent time. He was married in 1S50 to 
Miss Mary Tiffany, a daughter of llair\ 
Tiffanw Miss Tiffany was born at Black 
River in 1839. They reared live chiklren. 
namely: Harry, who was killed on the rail- 
road in 1889; .Marcia, wife of William Borst, 
of New Jersey: George, who resides in Nor- 
folk, \'a., a jeweller by trade, and married to 
Miss Maggie Sutherland: Helen, wife of 
Alvin Reiniiart, of Walton: Herman, a grad- 
uate of pharmacy. Mr. Chace has lieen Chief 
of Police of Walton, and twice occupied the 
position of Collector of Walton. He was ap- 



584 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



pointed Postmaster of Walton, February 21, 
1894. He is a member of Walton Lodge of 
Free Masons, No. 559, and a charter member 
of Walton Chapter, No. 251. Mr. Chace has 
done as much as any man of his time in pro- 
motinir the welfare of Walton. 




[DWARD F. TOMPKINS, a very suc- 
cessful merchant of Union Grove, was 
born January 8, 1867, son of Daniel 
and Sarah (Turner) Tompkins. His paternal 
grandfather, a farmer, married Elizabeth Post, 
and had a family of seven children — Daniel, 
John, Charles, Robert, Mary, Esther, and 
Libbie. 

Daniel Tompkins was born in Roxbury, 
where he was educated and grew to manhood. 
When quite young, he commenced working at 
lumbering, and to some extent in the tan- 
nery business. In 1862 he enlisted at Delhi 
in the Fourth New York Cavalry, and served 
throughout the war. While carrying de- 
spatches, he was taken prisoner, and held for 
nine months. After his release he met and 
married -Sarah E. Turner, whose father was a 
large planter, of Portsmouth, Va. At the 
close of the war he returned North, buying a 
farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Canada 
Hollow, in Middletown, about six miles from 
Margarettville. Here he was very successful 
in his farming career. He and his wife be- 
came the parents of the following children: 
ICdward F., the subject of this sketch; Mar- 
garet, who married W. C. Sanford, of New 
Kingston; Susan, who now lives at New 
Kingston; Charles, a farmer of Margarett- 
ville; Frona, who lives in Stamford; 
Chauncy, who resides at New Kingston; and 
Edna, whose home is also at New Kingston. 
Daniel Tompkins sold his farm, and removed 
to Arena, Delaware County, where his wife 
died October 31, 1887. He has since lived 
with his son Edward. He is a Republican, 
and an active worker in politics, being also 
very liberal in religious views. 

Edward I'. Tompkins was educated at Jack- 
sonburg, but when quite young commenced to 
work on a farm. At the age of eighteen he 
became a clerk in the store of D. A. Fletcher, 
in whose employ he remained for five years. 



He then came to Union Grove, buying a store 
from Mrs. F. B. Mason, on the corner of 
River and Barkerboom Streets. He here car- 
ries a complete line of general merchandise, 
is always obliging and courteous to his cus- 
tomers, and has a very large patronage. 

The wife of Mr. Tompkins is P'lora, daugh- 
ter of Warren and Elizabeth (Brower) Weaver. 
Peter Weaver, the grandfather of Warren, was 
born in Dutchess County, and came to Dela- 
ware County, settling in what is now known 
as Weaver Hollow, where he owned a large 
farm. He married Sarah Phenix, by whom he 
had ten children. His son William, the 
father of Warren, was born on the old home- 
stead, and was educated in the common 
schools. He married Eva Austin, and had 
four children — Warren, Angelina, Ira, and 
Sarah. William Weaver bought a part of the 
old homestead, and lived there till his wife 
died. He then married Mary Travis, and 
went into a hotel at Lumberville, now called 
Arena, where he resided several years, and 
afterward bought a farm in Prattsville, but 
on account of his wife's ill health removed to 
the village of Durham, Greene County. In 
1885 he came back to Delaware, and has lived 
with his son Warren. His second wife died 
in 1894. He is a Republican, and an es- 
teemed member of the Methodist P^iiscopal 
church. At the age of twenty-one Warren 
Weaver, the father of Mrs. Tompkins, bought 
one hundred and fifty acres of land on the 
Delaware River, where his sister Angelina 
kept house for him a few years. In 1866 he 
married Elizabeth, daughter of Louis and 
Mary Brower; and they have two children 
now living: Flora, who married the subject of 
this sketch; and Alma, who is at home with 
her parents. A daughter, now deceased, was 
named Olive. In 18S7 Mr. Weaver bought 
an adjoining upland farm, removed there, and 
now makes that place his home, while he still 
owns the farm on the Delaware. 



YP^ANSOM R. hawk, one of the be.st- 

I ^-^ known citizens of East Branch, Han- 

£b\ cock, belongs to a family that is 

^"^ one of the oldest in the country, 

the branch in Delaware County being de- 



BIOGRAl'IllCAL RKVIKW 



5S.S 



scendod, it is su|i|)()sc(l, tiom Adam Iluwkcs, 
who early settled in Saugus, near l.vnnlield, 
Mass., where some of his liescendants still 
reside. 

John Hawk, the i;randtather of Ransom, 
was born near ICaston, I'a., and was a child at 
the time of the Kexolut ionai'\' War. His 
famil)' lived on the outskirts of tiie town, and 
were oblit;'ed to leave all their effects behind 
them, and drive their stock to the block-house 
in the \-illat;e to escape from the Indians and 
Tories, who were leaving devastation and 
deatli in their i)ath. John Hawk remembeied 
many thrillini;' tales of those excitini;' tinu's, 
having been well acc[nainted with Tom ( )uick, 
the noted Indian slayt'r, from whose lips he 
heard many stories of adventure, and having 
also known Kanope and Ben Shank, two fa- 
mous Indians, the former ol whom fell before 
the rille of (juiek, while the latter escaped 
and fled the country. J(din Hawk marrieil 
Jane Ross, a nati\e of ("ochecton : and they 
had the following children : John, Xathaniel, 
George, Rosanna, I'ollv, and .Sallw and one 
child who died in infancy. The parents (jf 
these cl". ildren were highly respected, and 
both lived to be o\'er eighty years of age. 

George Hawk was horn at the foot of 
Hawk"s Mountain, which was named for his 
family. He was educated in his native town 
of Hancock, and followed the occui)ati<ins of 
farming and luml)ering throughout his life. 
He married Susan Dennis, a daughter of a 
soldier of the W'ar of 1S12, who died at .Sack- 
ett's Harbor. She was a descciidant of the 
Dennis faniih' of Andes, some of the members 
of which settled in Tompkins. Mr. ami Mrs. 
Hawk had seven thildren: Maria, who was 
born January 18, 1833, and married (ieorge 
\V. Houston: Ransom R. : Jeremiah D, born 
June 12, i<S37: Henry J., born July 30, 1839; 
James B., born June 24, 1844: John J]., born 
December T), 184": and .Sally A., born April 
22, 1850. 

Ransom R. Hawk, eldest son of George, 
was born in Hancock, November 12, 1834, 
was educated in his nati\-e town, and learned 
the carpenter's trade. In 1872 he erected the 
store now occupied b\' Mr. Mel lory, and car- 
ried on a general merchandise business for a 
number of years. In i\ugust, 1S64. he en- 



listed in Conii)an\ (', Ww \'ork l!ngiiu-er 
Corps, (jf which comp.iny W. M. {{rowii, of 
Cohoes, was Captain, and from whieli he n-- 
ceived his discharge |uly 4, 18^,5, at Hilton 
Head, S.C. June 2S,' 1866, he married Mi->s 
I'.Uen .M. Miller, daughter of James and 
.'\nnie M. (Williams) Miller, of Hancock. 
The Miller family is one of the ohkst in this 
section of the connliy, to which the\ immi- 
grated from Connecticut, .is did also the Will- 
iams family. Nathan Williams, gran<lfallier 
of Mrs. Hawk, was a soldier of the War of 
1812, and for his ser\ices at that time drew a 
pension from the government. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hawk have two children, 
Susa M. and Philij) 1?., both of whom resitle 
with their parents. The family attend the 
Methodist ICpiscopal ciiurch at ICast Branch, 
of which they are valued members. Mr. 
Hawk has been Justice of the Peace for two 
terms, also .Assessor and Inspector of Klec- 
tions. He is a Rcijublican in politics, a 
member of .Shehawken Lodge of I'ree Masons, 
and of the Hancock Chapter of Royal Arch 
Masons: and the esteem with which he is re- 
garded by ail testifies to his worth as a citi- 
zen and a friend. 




'^r\ l-'(il.S'rrS II. TODD, a more than 
ordinarily successful mechanic and 
] dumber of Delaware County, was 
born on the iith of A]3ril, 1S63. 
His great-grandfather, the first of this fiunilv 
in Americ;i. had an interesting and romantic 
historw The ship which brought him and 
his parents to these shores was wrecketl off 
the Connecticut coast: and the little boy of 
three years old was the only one of the entire 
family who was saved, no trace of the others 
ever being discovered. L'pon being ques- 
tioned, the little fellow said his name was 
■'Sanimiir Todd"; and by this name he was 
caileil. i\ compassionate man took the child, 
raised and educated him. At eighteen he 
entered the American army, :ind ser\ed 
through the Revolutionary \Var. When he 
had marrietl and was about to seek a new 
home, he recei\ed from his foster-father two 
oxen, a horse, and a cart. With this limited 
capital .Samuel Todd settled on a luuidred 



S86 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



acres of land in Middletown, Delaware 
County, and began to earn a support for him- 
self and his brave young wife, who dared to 
share his hard fortune. Eight children were 
born to the stout-hearted settler. Samuel 
Todd lived to the remarkable age of one hun- 
dred and two years. 

Isaac, their youngest son, lived on the place 
settled by his father, and married Miss Fanny 
Bouton, of the same county. He bought a 
farm of one hundred and thirty-six acres at 
the upper end of Dry Brook, and later one 
hundred and sixty more at Clovesville. In 
the early days of these settlements the pioneer 
farmers lived for the most part on the deer 
which abounded here, selling the skins and 
purchasing their other supplies. A family of 
seven children were reared by Isaac and Fanny 
Todd. It fell to the lot of the eldest son. 
Burr, to stay and work on the farm, so he 
missed the meagre chance of an education that 
the country schools afforded at that time. 
But, being naturally quick and intelligent, he 
learned to read and write, and became an ex- 
tremely enterprising and successful business 
man. 

liurr Todd came into possession of his 
father's farm, but enlarged his business by 
carrying the neighboring farmers' produce to 
Kingston in his line of wagons, and fetching 
back groceries and family supplies. So en- 
tirely trustworthy was he that he established 
quite a business by this simple arrangement. 
At thirty-eight years of age he bought the 
hardware store of W. D. Doolittle, and was 
eciually successful as he had been in other 
lines of business. In 1856, at Griffin's Cor- 
ners, where he established himself in mercan- 
tile life, he married Miss Susan Stone. Miss 
Stone was born December 5, 1835, ^"'^ was a 
daughter of Robert and Caroline (Griflfin) 
Stone. Robert, her father, was born in 
Clovesville, and was the son of Russell Stone, 
an early settler and a man of progressive 
ideas. Ten children were reared by the par- 
ents of Mrs. Todd: Hannah; Augustus; 
Susan L. ; John F. ; Mary; George; William 
H.; Josephine; and Rutson and Judson, who 
were twins. 

Burr Todd and his wife were the parents of 
three chilchx-n. The eldest, Carrie T., born 



July 27, 1858, married Allen Doolittle, of 
Griffin's Corners, and has one child, Roy C. 
Lilian, the other daughter, born February 
21, 1873, married Charles V. -Spriggs, and 
lives in Arkville. Burr Todd was a stanch 
Re])ublican and a zealous worker in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church, of which he was a 
member. He helped to build the old church, 
and was one of the first subscribers to the new 
one built in 1885; but he only lived to see 
the corner-stone laid, being called to that 
"mansion not made with hands, eternal in the 
skies." 

Augustus H., the only son of Burr and 
.Susan (Stone) Todd, received his early educa- 
tion in the school in Griffin's Corners, at 
fourteen spant three months in Eastman's 
Business College at Poughkeepsie, and at 
twenty went into partnership with his father 
in the hardware store. Six years after the 
death of his father he sold out to Mr. J. M. 
Hicks. In 1883 he began to work as a 
plumber. A shop was built across the creek 
on Main Street in the fall of 1893, for plumb- 
ing and other work; and here a large business 
is done, a four-horse-power water-motor being 
employed in the establishment, where general 
repairing of machinery is a specialty. He 
has also a turning-lathe, and employs an ex- 
pert to take charge of this branch of the busi- 
ness. Mountain staffs, souvenirs, and various 
small fancy articles are made here from the 
woods of the Catskills and find a ready sale 
and large market over the United -States. 
Mr. Todd is superintendent and a heavy 
stockholder of the water works of this place, 
and has put in the water works of Roxbury 
and Griffin's Corners. 

Mr. Augustus H. Todd wooed and won 
Miss Sarah Beardsley, a daughter of Nelson 
and Melissa Beardsley. Nelson Beardsley 
lives at Kelly's Corners, and has three daugh- 
ters and one son — Sarah, Nettie, Addie, and 
Earl C. Two children have blessed the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Augustus H. Todd: Otis H. 
and Marea H. 

The political influence of Mr. Todd has 
always been used in disseminating the princi- 
ples of the Republican party, of which he is 
a strong advocate. In religious views he is 
strong, liberal, and charitable, and bears in 




L. P. May. 



BIOGRAIMIICAI. RE:VIEW 



5S9 



all the relations of life the impress and inllii- 
ence of judgment and sagacity. 




;^ rilll.i;iL'S .may, a well-known and 
highly respected farmer of tJie town 
of Masonville, Delaware County, 
N.Y., was born in Coventry, Che- 
nango County, November 28, 1827, son of 
Willard and I.ucy (Kenyon) May. His 
father was born in Massachusetts in 1794, and 
his motiier in Rhode Island ai)out 1790. His 
grandfather, Samuel May, who was a Massa- 
chusetts man, moved from that State to New 
York with an ox team, and settled at Hain- 
bridge, Chenango County, aJjout the )-ear 
1810, being among the first settlers tiiere. 
In the course of time he was the owner of 
a fine farm, of which lie had cleared a good 
part and brought into a good state of cultiva- 
tion. The latter part of his life was spent in 
the town of Colesville, Broome County, where 
he died, aged about eighty. lie was twice 
married, his second wife being I'att)' Hudson. 
He iiad a large family of children, only one 
of whom is alive at the [iresent day, Will- 
iam S. May, of Harpursville. 

Willard May grew to manhood and received 
his education in Massachusetts and \'ermont. 
Shortly after coming to this .State with his 
father, he enlisted in the American army, and 
was in active service in the Way of 1812 14. 
He was by trade a car|)enter, an occupation he 
followed in conjunction with farming. He 
resided in Coventry until after the death of 
his first wife, when he moved to Afton vil- 
lage; but he spent liis declining years with 
his son, Jabez May, at I'enn \'an. \'ates 
County, where he died aged eighty-four. In 
politics he was a Whig, and afterward a Re- 
publican, and in religious matters was a mem- 
ber of the Baptist church. Mr. May's second 
marriage was to luniice Metcalf, widow of 
Seth Sceley. He was the father of seven 
children, three of whom are living: Sally, 
widow of Isaac Randall, of Masonville; Jabez 
May, of I'enn Yan ; and L. I'hiletus, tiie sub- 
ject of this sketch. Warren died agetl twenty 
years, Mary Ann aged twenty-four, Laura 
agetl sixty-two years, and Willard, Jr., aged 
five years. 



I., riiiletus May was educated in the town 
of Coventry. I le g;ive liis attention to farm- 
ing and carpentering, learning ihc latter lra>ie 
under his father and f(d lowing it as ;i business 
for several years. In 1859 he came to Mason- 
ville, and ijonght the f;irm upon which he now 
resides, the land then being uncultivated and 
witii no improvements. He speedily set 
about clearing the land, and irecting line and 
substantial buildings. The farm consists of 
one hundred and thirty-tliree acres of good 
land; anil he conducts a fine tiairv, keeping 
about twenty-two iiead of cattle. Mr. May 
has always been a hartl-working man, and has 
gained his present compett-nc\' b\- industry 
and good mmagement. He is a member of 
the Baptist church of Masonville, anil is now 
one of its Trustees. In politics he is a Re- 
publican. 

Mr. May was married by IClder A. St. John, 
September 25, 1862, to ICmih- M. Beach, who 
was born September 10, 1832, a daughter of 
Lumon and Maria (Brainerd) Beach, of .Ma- 
sonville. Mrs. May died Decendier 31, 1S88, 
leaving no children. 

Mr. May is one of the tew old settlers of 
Masonville now living. He lias never taken 
an active part in ])olitics, but has always been 
ready to devote his time and influence to the 
best interests of the town, rendering sul)stan- 
tial aid in works of improvement anil progress. 

.As a scion of good old New Kngland stock, 
a thri\ing member of the farming community, 
and a public-spirited citizen of Delaware 
Counts', Mr. May is especially deserving of 
portraiture in this " Biogra|ihical Review." 
His likeness on an adjoining page will be 
readily recognized by friends and accpuiint- 
anccs. 




\\ l\ ji 1 1 1 ! was born in 
e, Delaware C'ounty. un 
14. 1859. His hither. 



ll.l.IAM I 
I )iiwns\i 
( )ctober 

Philander Wright, w.is a native of ( Hsego 
Counts, but moved to Dehiware, in wiiieh 
county he has followed farming and other occu- 
pations, anil where he is now lixing. He mar- 
ried Miss l-"rances Williams, I'heir' son, 
William R., whose name heads this biogra]ihy, 
grew up and was educated in his native town. 



59° 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



where he learned the cigar-maker's trade, and 
where he estahlished a cigar factory. His 
patronage, which was small at first, and only 
warranted the employment of three workmen, 
was gradually enlarged, as the fame of his 
brand of the "Golden Gem" was noised 
abroad; and Mr. Wright found it expedient to 
enlarge his factory and increase the number of 
his employees. In a few years he opened a 
general grocery-store, which has also proved a 
financial success. 

In 1879 Mr. Wright married Miss Lydia 
Thompson, a daughter of Andrew and Margaret 
(Oliver) Thompson. The father is a success- 
ful farmer in Hamden, and bears a record 
worthy of mention. He is of Scottish parent- 
age, being a son of Andrew Thompson, Sr. , 
who came to America in 1800, and settled in 
Bovina, there living to be a very old man, com- 
pleting his ninetieth year. Andrew Thompson 
enlisted in 1864 in Company K, One Hundred 
and Forty-fourth New York Volunteers ; but, 
finding the ranks filled when he arrived at Port 
Royal, S. C. , he was transferred to Company 
A, New York Engineer Corps. His coura- 
geous bearing and unflinching adherence to 
duty while under fire at Morris Island won for 
him the highest commendation from the com- 
mander in charge. Captain Brown. He be- 
h)ngs to England Post, Grand Army of the 
Republic. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wright have one little son, 
Harry, born January 28, 1890. The strict 
probity and keen sense of honor which char- 
acterize Mr. Wright's dealings with the public 
have won for him universal respect; and this 
has been, perhaps, one of the chief reasons for 
that success which has attended him as a mer- 
chant and manufacturer. He is an adherent 
of the Rejjublican jjartx', to which he has 
alwa\-s lieen loval. 



7T^HARLi:.S -S. WOODRUFF. The 
I Sj-' subject of this sketch spent the early 
^jHs years of his life in the \-illage 

wherein he was born, and in the 
district schools laid a substantial foundation 
for his education, which was comideted in the 
Delaware Academy in Delhi, and from which 
he was graduated with an honorable record. 



Before his graduation he had spent some time as 
a clerk in his father's store, and he afterward 
gave his entire attention to mercantile pursuits. 
In 1880 he bought an interest in the store, and 
has continued in active business since. This 
is one of the most wide-awake and enterprising 
firms in this section of the county, carrying an 
extensive line of dry goods, boots, shoes, and 
ready-made clothing, besides being largely en- 
gaged in buying and selling butter throughout 
this State and Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Woodruff has ever taken an active in- 
terest in the prosperity of his native town and 
county, aiding all beneficial schemes tending 
to develop its business resources or improve its 
moral, educational, or social .status, and has 
filled man)- of the offices of the town. He 
served as treasurer of the fire department three 
years, was Treasurer of the village three years, 
and for a long time did efficient .service as 
Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Trade. 
For two years he was President of the Dela- 
ware County Agricultural Society, and has 
been instrumental in raising it to its present 
prosperous condition. He was Secretary of 
the Republican County Committee for many 
years, and in 1893 was nominated by acclama- 
tion to the office of County Treasurer. 



(*)| RUMAN LEWIS, Assistant Po.stmaster 
* I at .Sidney, N. Y. , was born in the town 
-*- of -Sidney, Delaware County, March 
4, 1843, son of Reuben Lewis, who was 
born in Greene County in 1802. Reuben 
Lewis was a farmer, and for si.xteen years 
occupied the position of Ju.stice of the Peace 
of Sidney. In 1842 he married Mi.ss Eliza 
Olmstead, of Greene County, who became the 
mother of six children, five of whom lived to 
reach maturity, although but three are still 
living, namely: the subject of this sketch; 
Hiram, a farmer, who is married, and has a 
familv in Ashtabula County, Ohio; Reuben, a 
railroad engineer in Scranton, Pa., where he 
has a wife and family. Their only daughter, 
Maria, died at the age of twenty-five years. 
Mrs. Lewis lived to be eighty-five years of 
age, retaining her faculties in a remarkable 
manner until her .sudden death, January 21, 
1893, of apoplexy. 



HldGRAl'HICAL REVIKW 



59' 



'rruinan I.owis lived mi ilic hirin with his 
parents until 1S59. when he niu\e<l with iheni 
to the village. lie attended the distriet schoul 
in his boyhood, but, when ei^i^hteen, learned 
the blacksmith's trade, at which he was em- 
ployed for twenty years, or until 1 SN 1 . In 
1849 he married Miss liattie L'amion. of 
Sidney, who was a nati\e of ("annons\ille, 
a daughtei' of Mlisha Cannon. ( )ii .Se|)tenibei- 
9, I.S92, Mrs. Lewis passed away: and her 
husband was left a childless widower. Like 
his father, Mr. Lewis is a Democrat. lie was 
Road Commissioner in I.S.S4, and is now serv- 
ing in his fourth \ear as Justice of the J'eace. 
l'"or the last nine years he has been employetl 
as clerk in the jiost-ofiTice. which is lecorded as 
a third-class one, altiiough handlini;- more mail 
than man\- offices of hi;;her rank. lie now 
occupies the position of Assistant Postmaster 
under Charles A. Wood, and, bein_g thorouL;hl\- 
accpiainted with all the de]iartments of the 
office, as well asentirel)' trustwoitlu and atten- 
tive to his duties, is often left in full char,i;e. 
As a gentleman of correct morals and sound 
judgment, he is held in high regard bv his 
friends and fellow-workci s. 




DW'I.X W. FOXi). general insurance 
agent, residing in the village of Wal- 
ton, has been identified with the 
business circles of this |)art of Delaware 
County ff)r several \ears, an<l is regardetl as 
one of its most enter]:>rising and able citizens. 
lie is of New bjigland birth and ancestrw hav- 
ing been born in New IlartfortI, Conn., in 
1.S33. His father, J. R. Tond, was a native 
of the same town, and there reared to maturit}'. 
He was a farmer and dairyman in the earlier 
years of his life, and later became one of the 
earliest manufacturers of condensed milk. In 
I1S80 he came to Walton and established the 
jilant known as the Granulatetl Milk I'actor)-, 
which is still in successful ojieration. He 
subsecjuent 1\ renioxei! to Oregon, and died near 
Portland, in 1 .S9C), at the age of seventv. He 
was twice married. His first wife. Martha A. 
Watson, was the daughter of Iiarve\' and .Sally 
(Wells) Watson, esteemed residents of New 
Hartford, Conn. She died in the village of 
Walton, in 1884, at the age of sixty-three 



years, leaving, besiiles the subjecl <if this 
sketch, who was her oids son. .in adojiled 
daughter, Cora 1.., the wife of hldward Mri-^ac k, 
of Cnion City, .\.J. Mr. l'on<l married |..r hiv 
second wife .M.uy .So]iliia .Sheiwond. wlm sur 
\ives him, and is now a resident <i| \\;dt<in. 

i-^dwin \\ . INiud was reared as a farmer'- 
son, acciuiring his rudimentary education in 
the ])ublic schodls, and afterward pursuing a 
lull .academical course. lie worked with his 
father in the milk factory until 1879, when he 
removed to I'lirt I'lain, Monigunierv Count\. 
to take charge of the nianufactorv uf the 
Orange Countv Milk Association, remaining 
there two years. Receiving a flattering offer 
to assume the management of the Heidelberg 
Cheese and Contlensed Milk Coiiipan\ at ^'arla 
i'lats, near Melbourne, Australia, he went 
there, and continued in chaige three \ears. 
.\ftei- travelling around the world, .Mr. I'ond 
came to Walton in 1884; and three \e.ir> 
later he established himself in the insurance 
business, in which he disphns more than uidi- 
nary ability and tact. He now represent- 
seventeen strong and trustwortln insurance 
companies, and is recognized as a straight- 
forward, thorough-going business man. merit- 
ing the confidence of his fellow-citizens. (In 
b'ebruary if. 1886, Mr. I'ond was married t^ 
Miss I'lorence St. John, a nati\e of New \'ork 
City. Mrs. Pond's parents were .S. llenrvand 
I'.mily (Leavens) St. John, the latter of whom 
was born in 1815 in New Wnk Citv. anil dieil 
in Walton in 1878. Mr. .St. John was a native 
of \\'alton, and in earlv life went to New \'ork 
Cit\' as a clerk in a dry-goods store, in which 
liusiness he remained some time. He after- 
wards entered into co[)artnersIii]i with his 
brother, (ieorge St. John, as merchant tailors 
I and general clothiers, under the firm name of 
' (ieo. & .S. II. -St. John. Ha\ing secured .1 
competencv. he retired from actixe busine--, 
and. coming to Walton, built a fine residenr> 
near the present h<ime of Mr. and .Mrs. Poml. 
and thereafter lived retired, dying in f89;. 
wlie'ii seventv -nine vears old. He reared three 
children, as follows: Sarah, the wife of A. I.. 
H\(le. lixes in New ^'ork City. Lmnia. the 
wife of the Re\'. Ree\e Ilobbie. resiiies in 
Newark. N.J. Mr. S. H. St. John had the 
following brothers antl sisters who reached the 



592 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



age of maturity: Martha St. John Bassett, who 
lived at Independence, N.Y. ; Maria, the wife 
of Joseph E. Shefheld, of New Haven, Conn. ; 
Thoma.s and lirastius, who lived at Mobile, 
Ala. ; and George, who resided at Walton. 
Mr. S. H. St. John at the time of his death 
was the only remaining child of Colonel John 
Trowbridge and Mary St. John, who were 
among the early settlers of this section, com- 
ing to Walton from Connecticut. 

Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
I'ond, two little daughters died in infancy, and 
two are now living, namely: Sarah K. Fond, 
born April 2, 1889; and Samuel Henry St. 
John Pond, bom August 24, 1891. Politi- 
cally, Mr. Pond is a steadfast Democrat, and 
has served as village Trustee. He is a promi- 
nent member of the Masonic fraternity, belong- 
ing to the Walton Lodge, A. ¥. & A. M., 
where he has taken the thirty-second degree, 
and in which he is now serving as Senior War- 
den. Religiously, he is a Vestryman of the 
Christ Episcopal Church, of which both him- 
self and wife are communicants, and toward 
the support of which they cheerfully contribute. 




|j^|ANSOM PALMATEER, a householder 
and dairy farmer of Andes, N. Y. , was 
born in New Kingston, Middle- 
town, on May 7, 1854. His grand- 
father, John Palmateer, was of Dutch extrac- 
tion, being son of a Hollander, but was 
himself American born, a native of Dutchess 
County, where he lived and reared a family of 
nine children: John, William, Abraham, 
Cyrus, Lucinda, Jessie, Owen, Sylvester, and 
Mary. In the latter part of his life John Pal- 
mateer moved to Saginaw County, Michigan, 
and sojourned there until the day of his death, 
which occurred in his ninety-fifth year. His 
wife, Elizabeth (Warner) Palmateer, also 
lived to be very old. She was a member of 
the Baptist church. 

William, the second .son of John, was born 
December 14, 18 14. He began to work out 
on a farm when a boy of twelve years of age, 
and, when twenty-si.\, married Mary A., 
daughter of Cornelius and Mary (Yeaples) 
Demond. Mary Palmateer was a grand-daugh- 
ter of Christian and Anna Yeaples, who lived 



at Kingston, Ulster County. This village was 
burned during the Revolutionary War, in 
which Christian served; and the family moved 
to New Kingston Valley, Delaware County, 
and bought a farm, upon which their grand- 
daughter, Mrs. Mary Palmateer, now lives. 
Christian Yea,'les built the first log house 
there. The flat surface of the land selected 
for a habitation to be erected upon was covered 
with a growth of pine-trees, which were rare 
in this locality; and many stumps still remain 
to attest the industrious hand of the ancestor 
who felled their trunks so long ago. Bear and 
wolf, elk and deer, disa]:)peared gradually from 
their native haunt.s, as the white man's foot in- 
v'aded year by year their wild domains; and 
it was not long before smoke curled up from 
many a settler's cabin chimney, and the soli- 
tude of the forest rang with the .stroke of the 
axe and blow of hammer. Mr. Yeaples was 
the father of these children: Jacob; John; 
David; Henry; Christian; Cornelius B. ; 
May; Catharine; Rachel; Nellie; and Mary, 
Mrs. Palmateer. 

William Palmateer did a great deal toward 
the improvement of this estate. He built a 
large frame house and farm buildings. To 
William Palmateer and his wife the number of 
offspring of the Yeaples family was repeated. 
Of their twelve children, eight are now living, 
and may be thus mentioned : Phoebe, who 
married John V. Simmons, a farmer located 
near Roxbur}-, and is the mother of two chil- 
dren; Sylvester, wht) married Estella Sanford, 
and lives in Andes with their two children; 
Harriett, who married first Edward Taylor, by 
whom she had one child, and secondl)' 1*. 
Kaughman; Ransom, the original of this pen 
sketch; Emily, who married John Rhoter- 
mond, has one child, and lives in California; 
Rhoda and Etta, who live at home; Mary, now 
Mrs. George Hewitt, of Margarettville, who 
has one child. William Palmateer died in 
1877, at sixty-two years of age. His widow 
is still living. Both were members of the 
Methodist lipiscopal church. 

Ransom Palmateer worked at home until he 
was twenty-five years old, gaining a practical 
experience and knowledge of farm life. He 
then bought three hundred acres of land from 
Hizer & Liddle, and began to think, as most 



ItlOGRAPHICAI. RKVIKW 



593 



young farmers do, that it \va> 11..1 wise im mni 
to live alone. So he wooed and married Anna 
Simmons, the daiij^hter of John \'. and Har- 
riett (Beers) Simmons. I'he iMide's paternal 
grandparents were Xohle and Sarah (Randall) 
Simmons, the former a native of Mas.sachu- 
setts, though of ICnglisJi jiarentage, and a 
-soldier of the War of i>Si:;. Mr. Xohle Sim- 
mons's estate was joeated in what is now known 
as North Ro.xhury, at that time an ahsolute 
wilderness. Me and his wife reared seven 
children: Hiram, George, I'iliza, Daniel, 
J-'.meline, l.ydia, and John \'. John \'. Sim- 
mons, the "Benjamin " of his father's old age, 
received a good education, and began teaching 
at .seventeen years. At twenly-si.x he married 
Miss Harriett Beers, a daughter of David and 
Polly ((iould) Beens. I'o tiicm seven chil- 
dren were born. Sarah V.. married a Mr. 
Scudder, W. Porter married C. Devo, Xathie 
died young, Jennette married the Rev. C 
Artmari, l-jiima married (!. (iraham, .M. 
Agusta married II. L. Kelly, and Anna is the 
wife ot .Mr. R. Palmateer. Mr. Simmons was 
left a widower, and married for his second wife 
Miss l{liza (ileason, who bore him two chil- 
dren. Cileason and John. .She died; and he 
married thirilly .Miss .Acldie Palmater, bv 
whom he has one child. Mr. and Mrs. Sim- 
mons soUl their estate to their son, and are 
now living a quiet life. 

Ransom Palmateer' s marriage has l)een 
blessed b\- the advent of fi\e children, four of 
whom are now living; namel\-, .\itluir, Mav. 
Everett, Edith, and Howard. He has re- 
modelled the buildings on his fairii. and is 
preparing timber for the construction of a 
capacious overshot barn. He has one of the 
largest dairies in Amies, keeping a herd of 
fifty graded Jersey cows, a\'eraging two hun- 
dred and hftv pounds of butter per head. Mr. 
and Mrs. Palmateer are hapjjily allied in the 
bond of a common religious faitii, both being 
members of the Methodist l'l|)iscop:il church ; 
and in politics he is a Democrat. 




i:oR(;p; ii kp.ator. a successful 

fanner of Roxburs', X.\. , was hf)rn 
m West settlement in this town on 
March 11, 1837. He belongs to a f:miily that 



has been in Del.iw.irc ( ounlv for three genera- 
tions, being a grandson of (.iiie.m Keator, 
who was a native of lisopus, lifter ('ount\ , 
and thence came here with his f.unilv and 
settled iri Brookdale, near the vill.ige of Rox- 
hur\-. 
: The wilderness still hid the most lertile 
lands under its veil f.f dense uiiderbrirsh ,ind 
mighty trees. But Gideon Keat.>r threw him- 
self with a will into the work of reclaiming; 
his six hundred acres, and soon the fruitful 
fields were beginning to crowd out the forests. 
The earth yielded uj) its increase, ami Mr. and 
-Mrs. keator were very prosperous in their new 
home. Barns and other necessary buildings 
were put up as fast as the\- were needed ; aiTd 
the estate came in time to be verv valuable, so 
that Ml. Keator had no dithcultv in .selling it 
for a good price when he decided to make a 
change. Benjamin Scudder was the purchaser, 
and he lived on the place all his life. Mr. 
Keator and his wife .Mary had eight children - - 
John (;., Charity, (ieorge, Harriet, Hiram, 
Katie, Peter, and Henrv. 

George Keator, second .son of (lideon Kea- 
tor, was born in L'lster Countv, came with his 
father to Delaware Comity, and was educated 
in the district school of Roxbury. When he 
came to man's estate, he contracted marriage 
with Betsy Benjamin, a daughter of Jesse and 
Katherine Benjamin, who were early settlers 
in Roxbury. He jiurchased si.\tv-nine acres 
of cleared land in West settlement, and then, 
as soon as opportimity offered, .secured one 
hundied ;icres more of jsartly reclaimed new 
land. These two ijurchases made a fine farm 
when .Mr. Keator had |)Ut on the improvements 
that he saw were desirable — new houses and 
barns. He lived on this farm until his death, 
at the age of eighty-four. .Mr. Keator was a 
Democrat, and an old-.school Bajitist. Mrs. 
lk-ts\- Keator lived to the age of eightv-si.x. 
•She had si.x children, but three of the.se died. 
1 he three who li\ed became well-known men 
in the community. Jacob P. married Jennie 
\'an Kureii, but she died, leaving one daugh- 
ter. Millie; and he married again, this time 
.May Douglass. By his second marriage he 
had one son, John, who li\es at Rondout, and 
is a ])alace-car conductor. John B. married 
Eleanor Bartram. and died, leaving one dauuh- 



594 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



tor, Mary, wlm is now the wife of John P. 
Ganoung. 

The other son, George H. Keator, was edu- 
cated at Roxbury Academy and at Syracuse. 
At the age of twenty-three he married Miss 
Frances B. \\'alker, daughter of Daniel and 
Eliza Walker. Mr. Walker owned a large 
farm, and in addition owned and operated a 
fulling-mill. He also did some work as a 
contractor and builder. He had seven other 
children — five by his first wife, the mother of 
Mrs. Keator, and two by his second wife. 
Mr. Walker was a Democrat, and lived to the 
age of seventy-one years. After his marriage 
Mr. Keator took charge of his father's farm, 
he being imable to manage it on account of ill 
health. This he continued until 1867, when 
he went to Dover, Del, and took up a farm 
there. After one year's trial his father, find- 
ing the home work too much of an under- 
taking, sent for him to come back to the old 
place. So he took up the affairs of the estate 
anew; and there he lives to-day, about five 
miles out from the village. 

Mr. and Mrs. Keator have had three chil- 
dren, of whom one is now living. Bessie M., 
who was born January 23, 1865, married Adel- 
bert Carroll, and is now dead. Alice M. was 
born September 3, 1866, married H. G. \'. 
White, of East Branch, and died at twenty- 
seven. Maud M. was born March 15, 1880, 
and still lives at home with her father. Mr. 
Keatt)r is a Democrat, and has held the office 
of Assessor for four terms. He is a member 
of the Methodist ICpisocal church, and of 
Hobart Lodge, No. 62, Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. 



J">vA\'n) FOOTE is an influential 
— \ citizen of l-"ranklin, Delaware 
QJ County, in which town he was many 
years an active and progressive 
farmer, though of late years li\-ing a some- 
what retired life. 

Looking backward, we find that all the 
l'"o()tes of the country, for nine generations or 
more, are descended from Nathaniel l-"oote, 
who came earh- to Wethersfield, Conn., and 
had two .sons — Nathaniel and Robert. Many 
facts concerning the famih' are set forth in 



the Foote genealogy, published in 1849, and in 
the sketch in this volume of Mrs. S. E. Foote. 

The grandfather of David F'oote, Cliarles 
F'oote, was a tanner, currier, and .shoemaker in 
Colchester, Conn. ; and his wife was Jerusha 
Chamberlain. He was also a surveyor, and 
went to Wyoming, Pa., in pursuance of his 
calling, expecting to remain there; but, the 
Revolution coming on, both he and his son 
Charles enlisted as soldiers. He had five boys 
and four girls, all of whom li\ed to be married 
except the youngest daughter and one son. 
The fourth child and second son was Elias, the 
father of Mr. David I'oote. 

Elias Foote was born in Colchester, New 
London Countv, Conn., on October 4, 1766, 
ten years before the Revolution, but died in 
Franklin, Jul_\- 5, 1855, when nearly ninety 
years old. His wife was Sally Tracy, born 
in Lenox, .April 13, 1780, and therefore four- 
teen years her husband's junior. She was the 
daughter of Ezekiel and Patience (Kimball) 
Tracy, both from Massachusetts ; but she was 
married in Otsego County, in the town of 
Oneonta, in 1809, though later they lived in 
Otsego, on a farm of forty acres, afterward 
increased to twenty more. Mr. F"oote sold 
this land in 1844, and ended his life in the 
home of his son David in North Franklin, and 
was buried in the graveyard near the Baptist 
church, where his wife also was placed at the 
age of seventy-six, both being firm Baptists. 
They had four boys and three girls, and two 
sons and one daughter are still living. One of 
the sons is David, the subject of this sketch ; 
and the other is ICzekiel, a retired blacksmith 
in the same town. Their sister I^sther never 
married, but has a home with her brother 
David, though she and her sister Jane had a 
home together in the same town, till it was 
broken by death in 1889. 

David F'oote was born March 24, 181 2, at 
the beginning of the la.st war with England; 
and his birthplace was on the banks of the 
Susquehanna, in what was then a pavt of the 
town of F"ranklin, but is now within the limits 
of Otsego. Though a farmer, he was for sev- 
eral winters a teacher also. Like his father, 
he married somewhat late in life, October i, 
1857, when he was forty-five. His wife was 
Marv Parsons, of Franklin, a daughter of 



BIOGRAPHICAL RKVIFAV 



59'; 



Thomas and Anna Parsons, who lanio Ironi 
Connecticiil in i Soo. IMr. and Mrs. l-"o(ito 
have no cliihlron, tliough llicy liaxc i;i\c'n a 
home to the cliihhx'ii ol others, tlius hlcssini;- 
their feUow-men. In politics Mr. I'oute was 
a Republican initil i S.S.|. when his rei;aii! for 
temjjerance led tn his union with the I'lu- 
hibitory part}'. lhiuii;h he lias lu-ld \u> public 
office. He has. however, been ap])oinled ex- 
ecutor for several estates. lie owns a faiin of 
one hundred and tort\ acres in Xdith l-'iank- 
lin, purchased in 1S44. and nn which he has 
resideil e\er since. 1 ie has also another estate 
of one huntlred and twelve acres of bottom land 
along the Sust|uehanna, once the property of 
his brothel' Asa, who died at the age of 
se\'enty-si.\. leaving a son and daughter. 'I'he 
son, (ieorge II. l-"oole. has been a teacher diu'- 
intr se\enteen winters. 




I,. Ml'RR.XN'. ail enterjirising business 
man, wlm condiiiU's the])ractice of the 
tonsoiial ait with the duties of 
Postmaster i>f Ark\'ille, to which 
latter office he was aii]ininted in 1S93, was 
born in Middlelown, Januai'\ 10, 1 >S66, son of 
(ieorge and I.ucinda (Rlish) Murras, and the 
grandson, i>n the ]iaternal side, nt James ,uid 
.Mar\' ( l'd)anathus) Murray, both natives of 
Scotlanil, and who came to America about 
the opening \'ear of this centui'y. settlirig ill 
.\ew N'ork C'it\'. Ihe foriiier was a seafaring 
rnan. holding a iiosition as second niate, and 
was lost at sea when about foi't\'-two years of 
age, Iea\ing a wife and two children - Robert 
and (ieorge. 11 is wife sui'\'i\'ed him si.\ 
years, and died at the age of forty-si.\ years in 
New York City. 

Roliert Murray died in the South during the 
late C\\\] War; while his brother (ieorge. 
boi'ii in iSici. in .New \'ork ('it\', was brought 
up there, but later went to Hyde Park, 
Dutchess County, where he learned the tan- 
ner's trade. In 1.S33 he enlisted in the navy 
as a L'nited .States marine on L'nited States 
ship "Peacock," and served for o\'er three 
years, visiting m;ui\' foreign countries and 
iiiost of the iH'incipal seajiorts of the world. 
In the pursuit of his calling he contracted 
rheumatism, and, receiving his discharge trom 



the nav\', resumed his tra<le o| tanner, coming 
to Delaware Connt\ in i.S.(J, and thelollow 
ing year mari'\ ing I.ucinda, daughter o| lohn 
and I.uiinda ll'ownsend) Hlish .\ lamihcif 
twelve children was born t<i them, nanieh ; 
Robert .\. marrieil Mai\ He, idle, and re>i(les in 
Middlelown. Norman J. died at the aL;e of 
thirteen. ()li\ei' 1.. married .Sarah I'.uker. 
and resides at (irillin's Corners. I'lli/.a died at 
the age of ele\en \ears. Artemesia. now de- 
ceased, became the uife of John A. Jones, and 
at her death left one child. Celia I. married 
■■"rederick J. Mlmore, and resides in Ssracuse, 
\. \'. Mar\ 1^, liecame the wife of John II. 
Depew. of Walton. James (i. chose for his 
wife I.N'dia Kellv, and settled at (iriffm's Cor- 
ners, (ieorge died in infanc\'. A. !.. is the 
subiect of this sketch, Dorleskie and I.odus- 
kie were twins, the first of whom died at the 
age of si.xleen vears, and the latter became the 
wife of Walter I.. I'".lwoo<l, and resides in Wal- 
ton, \.^'. Soon after his marriage (ieorge 
Mm'rax bought a farm of one himdred acres 
situated on the Kingston and Delhi turnpike 
near .\rk\ille and along the bank of the Dela- 
ware Ri\'er. Here he resided for thirt\-two 
vears, ching at the age of se\enty-three. Ik- 
was a Democrat in ])iditics, and was ()\erseer 
of the Poor in his town. His wife still sur- 
vives him, and is now se\'ent\'-two \ears ol agi'. 
.A. I.. Murra\ was educated at CloUs\ille. 
and learneil the lonsorial trade, which he i>rac- 
tised at (iritTm's L'orneis, later buying a shop 
at Margareltville. After slaying in the latter 
place some thirteen months he sold out to ]•;. J. 
l-'.astman, and came to Ark\ ille, where heo]iened 
a shop and soon met with good |)atronage. He 
was appointed Postmaster in July. I.'^y3. antl 
has satisfaetorilv ])ert'ipniied the duties of the 
office to the present time. Mr. Murra\' chose 
for his wile Miss .Anna Conklin. daughter of 
Arthur and l-'.mma A. ( ( )sterhoudt ) Conklin. of 
Margarettville. They have one .son, Harry 
W., born May 15. i<*^93. Mr. Murray has so 
far in his career shown good business ability, 
and is the sort of niaii who knows how to make 
the most of op|)ortunit ies. He is interested in 
the affairs of his town, and contributes his 
share toward its material welfare. His wife is 
a member of the new-school Ha])tist church, 
and is a lad} of nian} ])leasing qualities. 



596 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 




HOMAS D. KINGSTON, proprietor of 
the Kingston Hotel, Delhi, is well 
known as one of the best hotel men in 
Delaware County. He made his first start 
as a landlord in this village, purchasing his 
present house, which he has rebuilt and re- 
furnished in the most approved modern style, 
and has since conducted with marked success, 
winning popularity as a host who understands 
how to cater to the wants of the public, one 
who well knows that "fine words butter no 
parsnips. " 




HADDKUS S. HOYT, a highly re- 
spected farmer, residing abtjut fi\c 
miles north of the village of Walton, 
was born about three miles below his pres- 
ent residence, October 28, 1821. His father, 
Amasa, was also born at the same place. 
The grandfather, Thaddeus Hoyt, came origi- 
nally from New Canaan, Conn., and was one of 
the pioneer farmers of Delaware County. He 
reared a family of four sons, Amasa being the 
third in order of birth. He and his elder 
brother, Thaddeus, were farmers. The second 
son. John Benedict Hoyt, was a graduate 
of Yale College, and a well-known minister 
of the Presbyterian Church. Amasa resided 
on the old homestead until the time of his 
death. His children were all prominent mem- 
bers of the community, several of his sons 
being Deacons of the church. The family 
have always been among the foremost in church 
matters, the grandfather having been instru- 
mental in building first a log and afterward 
a frame church about one mile from the \illage 
of Walton. -Amasa Hoyt was married to 1^1 iza 
H. Seymour, a daughter of Samuel and Anna 
(Whitney) Seymour. Her jjarents reared the 
following family: Samuel, Lewis, Thaddeus, 
Andrew, Annie, Pollie, Sallie, Hannah, I^liza, 
and ICmma Seymour. To Mr. and Mrs. Amasa 
Hoyt were born nine children; namely, Ga- 
briel, Amasa, Thaddeus, l-'rederick, Edward, 
ICdwin, William S. , Julia, and Whitney. 

Thaddeus S. Hoyt received his education at 
the district and a select school at Walton, 
afterward teaching school for one winter. At 
the age of twenty-two he purchased froiu his 
father-in-law, Thaddeus Fitch, the farm ad- 



joining the one upon which he now resides. 
Mr. Hoyt was married September 12, 1843, to 
Letitia Fitch, a daughter of Thaddeus and 
Hannah (Mead) Fitch. The family originally 
came from Connecticut, Mr. 1-itch coming to 
the farm upon which the subject of this sketch 
now resides in 1808. He died in 1879, at 
the advanced age of ninety-five years, being 
an extremely active man until the time of his 
death. He was Deacon of the Congregational 
church for many years. He was a man of 
much influence, and held in the highest re- 
spect by all throughout the town. Mr. and 
Mrs. Thaddeus S. Hoyt have ever been active 
in religious matters, leaving the church at 
Walton to assist in building one at \\'estbrook. 
This church was organized in 1857, Mr. Hoyt 
being elected Deacon, and serving as Tru.stee 
for many years. He has been superintendent 
of the Sunday-school for thirty years, Mrs. 
Hoyt having been engaged in teaching in the 
school' for nearly that length of time. Li poli- 
tics Mr. Hoyt is a supporter of the Republican 
party. He has always been known as a saga- 
cious and ]irudent farmer, his good judgment 
having brought his farm up to its present .state 
of productiveness. He is held in the highest 
esteem b\' his neighbors, as a man of rare 
moral and intellectual wt)rth. Mr. Hoyt 
served as Registrar of the Delaware Congre- 
gational Association for ten years. A portrait 
of Mr. Thaddeus S. Hoyt finds an appropri- 
ate place in this gallery of Delaware County 
worthies. 



TT^HARLES P. MOFFATT, one of the 
I \X most extensive and enterprising 

^^U^^ farmers of Delaware County, and 
a citizen of Grand Gorge, Ro.xbury, 
was born October 12, 1827, son of Isaac and 
Mary (Poppino) Moffatt. He owns and occu- 
pies the farm on which his paternal grand- 
father settled nearly a hundred years ago. 

Isaac Moffatt, Sr., was born May 6, 1750, 
and married Anna Scott, who was born Au- 
gust 27, 1752. He came from the north of 
Ireland, and settled in Washingtonville, 
Orange County, where he worked at the shoe- 
maker's trade. In 1799 he accompanied an 
exploring party to Delaware County, and. 







-^'K 




Thaddeus S. Hoyt. 



niOGRArilK AI. KIA IKW 



^')0 



finding here a suitaljle place tor a home, re- 
turned for his wife and child, lie erected a 
log house, cleareil his land, and worked a 
little at shoemaking. He and his wife had 
nine children, namely: Jane, horn March 18. 
1782; Francis, born May 17. 17S3; Xathan, 
born SeiJtemlier 27, 1784: William, horn 
I'ebruary 8, 1786; Mary, born October 5, 
1787; Isaac, born May 10, 17S9; David, born 
March 29, 1791; I':imer, born February 15, 
'793; George, liorn January 5. 1795. The 
father of this family died in January, 1825: 
and his wife passed away March 21, 1820. 
He was a Democrat in politics, and was a 
member of the Presbyterian church, as w^as 
also his wife. 

Their son Isaac, the father of Charles I'., 
was born in Orange County, May 10, 1789, 
and was but ten years old when his parents 
moved to Delaware County. His school davs 
were e.\trcmely limited; but by improving 
his leisure at home he became a well-read 
man, and continued working on the farm, of 
whicli he assumed the management after his 
father's death. He married Mary, daughter 
of Jonas and ICleanor Poppino, who was born 
-September 12. 1796. Mr. and Mrs. Poppino 
settled on the farm now owned bv Charles 
Mayhand; and they reared the following chil- 
dren: Temperance, .Mary. ICliza, Amanda. 
John Ci.. Thomas J., and Charles. Mr. and 
.Mrs. Isaac Moffatt. Jr., had ten children - 
Cornelia, Ivliza J.. Adeline, Fllen, Charles 
P.. . Sally Ann, .Amanda, Mary. .Samuel, and 
Harriet. Mr. Moffatt improved his farm and 
erected new buildings, living to be sixty-eight 
years of age. He was a Whig, and with his 
wife was a member of the Presb\teri:ui 
church. 

Charles P. Moffatt received a district->Liino; 
education, and at the age of twenty-five mar- 
ried Mary J. Rickey, daughter of John M. and 
Hannah (Judson) Rickey, of Jefferson. Scho- 
harie County. Mr. Rickey's father owned a 
farm near .Stamford, which was then in an 
unsettled condition. He was a CajJtain in 
the Revolutionary War, and was the father of 
eight daughters and three sons. John, the 
father of Mrs. .Moffatt, purchased a tract of 
one hundred acres of timbered land, which he 
cleared, erecting substantial buildings. He 



w.is a mendx-r of the Methodist I-ipiscopal 
church, and died when thirt\-lhree years of 
age, the father of two children: Caroline, who 
married Willi. un Moore, and died, leaviui; 
three sons; and .Mary, the wife of .Mr. .Mol- 
fatt. His widow married .Mr. \'andvkr, and 
became the mother of three sons. 

Mr. :ind Mrs. .Moffatt have Ii.id ihrer chil- 
dren, two of whom are now living. The 
other, FUa I"., who married .Melvin j'arsoiis, 
died when thirty-seven years of age. leaving 
one daughter. Carrie A. Moffatt. who married 
Mr. Brown, of Oneonta, and has one child. 
Charles W., the only son, and a merchant in 
.Stamford, married Ikdle I'almadge. and has 
one child. .After his marriage Mr. Moffatt 
purchased a farm of one hundretl and sixty 
acres now owned by Mr. Iloleside, and there 
he lived for four years. He then sold tlKit 
property, antl purchased the old homestead 
where he now resides, having remodelled the 
house, the frame of which is nearly one hun- 
dred years old. He has erected commodious 
barns, and keeps fifty or sixt\- cows and six 
horses. One hundred :icres have l)een added 
i.0 th '■ original land, and the farm of three 
hundred acres is now one of the finest in this 
l^art of the countrv. 

Ml'. Moffatt is a Democrat in politics, and 
for nine terms, or twent\'-seven \ears. held 
the otTicc of Assessor, to which he was three 
times more elected, but declined to serve; 
and for six years he was Fxcise Commis- 
sioner. He was drafted in the Civil War. 
but ])aid three hundred dollars for a substi- 
tute. Mr. .Moffatt is a mendier of the Meth- 
odist P^|)iscoiJal church, and is identified with 
all the good works of that " organizUion, .is 
well as with those of the town in which he 
resides. 



tl2)T<)R.ACF. G. ITIKLPS is a plain and 
[■ n; I unassuming but infiuential farmer 

I ^ 9 I and trader, living in L'nadilla. two 

^*"^ miles from the village of .Sidne\-, 
Delaware County. He was born in Dutchess 
County in November, 1834. His father, 
B. W. Phelps, the second of two sons, was 
born in the same county in 1797. and died in 
Afton, Chenango County, in our centennial 



Goo 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



year, his age lacking only one year of four- 
score. 

B. W. Phelps's wife was Anna Crandle, of 
Micidlefield, Otsego County, the daughter of 
Isaac Crandle. They were married about the 
year 1819, and during nearly all their lives 
carried on a farm in Guilford, Chenango 
County. They had eleven children, of whom 
seven sons and three daughters are still liv- 
ing, Mr. Horace Phelps being the fourth in 
the order of birth. The one deceased 
daughter was Octavia, the wife of George 
Brightman, and died in March, 1888, about 
fifty-seven years old, leaving a son, Eugene 
Brightman. Of these ten surviving children 
the youngest is now, at the close of 1894, 
fifty-one, and the oldest over seventy; and all 
are married. Their mother died in 1865, five 
years before her husband; and their bodies 
rest in the East Guilford cemetery, amid the 
rural scenes wherewith their memories are 
affectionately and respectfully cherished. 

Their son Horace grew up like the sons of 
other farmers, attending the district school, 
and working on the land. With dawning 
manhood, at the age of seventeen, he began tp 
be greatly interested in live stock, which he 
purchased for his father, who was every inch 
a farmer. On reaching his majority, Horace 
bought sheep and cattle on his own account, 
subsequently hiring three or four farms for 
stock-raising; and to this business he devoted 
the most of his time for two years, when he 
began to trade in lumber with Charles G. 
Brooks, of Mount Upton, buying and clearing 
timber land, and getting the lumber ready for 
the general market, but chiefly for railroads 
and mines, having contracts for the supply of 
the Delaware and Hudson Mining Depart- 
ment. This of course involves an immense 
traffic throughout Delaware and other coun- 
ties, to the extent of a hundred thousand 
dollars a year. In all Mr. Phelps personally 
owns some twelve hundred acres, and the firm 
holds still larger tracts of land. He is a 
vigorous man, but finds himself physically 
well ta.Kcd, as one of the busiest men in the 
county, looking after his numerous interests. 
In politics he is independent, and has never 
held any public office; but as a financier he is 
interested in six national banks as stockholder 



and director. In Sidney and other towns he 
has monetary ventures in several different en- 
terprises, for he is a tower of strength in 
every line of work. 

Mr. Phelps married in 1861, at the age of 
twenty-seven, just at the beginning of our 
great Civil War. His wife was Isabelle Tal- 
cott, of Guilford, the daughter of Adna and 
Eliza (Wright) Talcott, natives of the State 
of Connecticut. Lena, the only daughter of 
Mr. and Mrs. Phelps, is the wife of Edgar 
Beal, of East Guilford; and they have one 
son, Horace Beale, named for his affectionate 
grandfather. An eminent preacher has well 
said, in words w^hich apply to our subject: 
" Remember you have not a sinew whose law 
of strength is not action. You have not a 
faculty of body, mind, or soul, whose law of 
improvement is not energy." 



Mr. 



'OHN D. VAN AKEN is a well-to-do 
and prosperous agriculturist, whose val- 
uable farm is located about seven miles 
from Walton village, near Loomis. 
Van Aken is a native of the Empire 
State, having been born in Middletown, No- 
vember 17, 1823. His father, Albert R. Van 
Aken, and his grandfather, Gideon Van Aken, 
were both natives of this State, the latter 
having been a prosperous farmer of Plattner 
Brook, in the town of Delhi, both he and his 
wife spending their last years on the farm 
which they wrested from the forest. 

Albert R. Van Aken was one of a large 
family of children born to his parents. He 
spent his early life in the manner common to 
farmers' sons, assisting on the farm until at- 
taining his majority. His first purchase of 
land was in Walton, being the farm on which 
the subject of this sketch now resides. The 
land was then in its primitive wildness, 
scarcely a tree having been cut. He erected 
a log house and barn, and by dint of zealous 
industry succeeded in placing much of the 
land in a yielding condition. During his 
residence here he saw great changes in the 
aspect of the surrounding country. Selling 
this property to his son John, he bought an- 
other farm about a mile below Loomis, where 
he lived for a time, going thence to a farm in 



BIOGRA I*H ICAI, RKV 1 KVV 



Co I 



Tompkins, near Deposit, wliere lie spcui ihc 
remainder of liis eartlily life, dying at the aj;e 
of seventy-two years. 1 1 is wife, Catlierine 
Delemater, was the tlauf;hter of Isaac Dele- 
niatcr, a pioneer of Middletown. to which 
place he came with his wife when the tim- 
bered land was the home of wolves, bears, and 
other wild animals. The log cabin, which 
was their first dwelling-house, was the place 
of birth of the larger number of their large 
family of children, but was eventualh' re- 
placed by a substantial frame house. ()! the 
union of Mr. \'an Aken and Catherine Dele- 
mater nine chihh-en were burn, seven of whom 
grew to maturity, namely: Jeremiah, who 
died inthearmv; John I).; William; Jacob; 
James: Matilda; and -Sarah Jane. Tiie 
mother, who lived to a good old age, died in 
what is now De[)osit. 

John 1). \'an Aken was educated and spent 
the earlier years of his existence in Middle- 
town, tilling the soil in season, and attending 
the district school in winter and whenever he 
could be spared from work. At the age of 
eighteen years he came with his parents to 
Walton, and for some time thereafter assisted 
in the labor of clearing the land and improv- 
ing the farm. He subsequently worked nut 
b\' the month for a while, and, when twent\- 
eight years old, bouglu the homestead of his 
father, in which he has since made extensive 
improvements, building the [nx'sent fine resi- 
dence and the convenient barn and out-build- 
ings. In addition to the raising of the 
cereals common to this section of our country, 
Mr. \'an Aken devotes his attention to the 
dairy business, kee])ing from twelve to fifteen 
cows, and making a superior grade of butter, 
which he disposes of to pri\ate customers. 

]\Ir. Van Aken was united in the bonds of 
matrimonv, in 1862, to Miss Jane C. White, a 
daughter of Robert and Anna White, and who 
came from Scotland in the year 1S33 with her 
parents. A brother. John G. White, now 
resides in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. White 
were early settlers in the town of Bovina. 
The only child born of this hapjjy union was a 
bright and interesting Ijoy, named \Miitc G. 
Van Aken, who ]5assed from this life when 
only eleven years old. Although no asjiirant 
for political honors, Mr. \'an Aken keeps well 



inlonueil on topics oi general inli/re>t, anil in 
politics indorses the princii)les of the Kei)Mljli- 
can |)art\'. Mrs. \'an .Aken has been actively 
identified with the I'resbyterian church, of 
which she is a \aluable member, since I1S57, 
first in Hovina, and later in Walton. 



AMlvS WILLIAM CLRTLS is the pro- 
jirietor of Maple \'illa, situated three- 
quarters of a mile fiom I-'leischmanns 
depot. lie was born in New York 
City in i860, October 24. His grandfather 
was .Samuel Curtis, and the grandmotiier's 
maiden name w-as Mary .Ann Kell. .Samuel 
Curtis was born in London, and was a seafar- 
ing man, dying at the age of thirtv-five, while 
in command of a ship. His wife long out- 
lived him. dying at the great age of ninety- 
five. Her last years were sj)jnt in this 
country with her grandson at Majjle \'illa. 
John Kell ('urtis, eldest son of Samuel, 
was born in London, but came t.> America at 
the age of sixteen, and learne;! the jeweller's 
trade with his uncle, John Hruck. whose shop 
was on Chatham Street, Xew \'(jrk Citv. 
After six V'ears' apprenticeshi]) John began 
at the age of twent_\-two. to trade for himself, 
at Xo. 83 Bleecker Street, Xew York City, 
antl soon was the head of so good a business 
that at the end of five years he sold out the 
Bleecker .Street shop, and opened a larger 
establishment on Broadway, between I'^igh- 
teenth and Nineteenth .Streets, where he re- 
mained for seven years. 15v this time he was 
nearly thirty-five years ol I, aii.l he engaged in 
the anticpie furniture trade for two years. 
Then he went in with the firm of Svi:)her & 
(^)., at 593 Broadway, where he continued 
many years, when he died at the age of sixty. 
His wife, Marv I'razier Gibson, was the 
daughter of a thriving jeweller. James Gib- 
son. Their onlv child now living forms the 
special sni)ject of this sketch. .After her hus- 
band's ileath Mrs. .Mary V. Curtis came to 
Delaware County to live with her son. and is 
still in the enjoyment of excellent health. 
She is attractive in person and manner, v.:*!-; 
an excellent faculty for business, and 
to the Dutch Reformed church, in whh n mi 
husband was an influential I{lder. 



602 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



James W. Curtis was educated in the New 
York schools. At the age of eighteen he 
became a clerk with Pope & Stevens, hard- 
ware dealers at 114 Chambers Street, New 
York City. After three years he went into 
the antique establishment of Sypher & Co., 
where his father was also employed, at 593 
Broadway. Still later he came to Delaware 
County, bought the sixty-five acres constitut- 
ing the old Patrick Redmund farm, and moved 
into the little frame house, where for a few 
years he entertained a few city boarders in 
summer. Being of an enterprising disposi- 
tion, and having a wide metropolitan acquaint- 
ance, he then built the large four-story house 
called Maple Villa, besides a barn and smaller 
buildings, and fitted up the grounds with a 
shaded lawn and four maple groves, the whole 
estate being situated twenty-two hundred feet 
above the level of the sea. A fine road leads 
from the village to the Villa, which affords 
accommodation for nearly sixty boarders, and 
is always well filled in the season. The land- 
lord also owns fine turnouts for pleasure- 
driving, and keeps eight Jersey cows, which 
supply cream for the table. He also raises 
his own chickens, geese, ducks, and turkeys. 
In 1883 he married Elizabeth L. Hatfield, 
daughter of Charles R. and Christina (Miller) 
Hatfield, of whose family sketches may be 
found elsewhere in our volume ; and they have 
one child, John K. Curtis, born May 26, 
1888. Mr. Curtis is a Democrat in politics; 
and both himself and wife are still members 
of the Presbyterian society in New York City, 
to which they belonged many years ago. A 
poetic preacher, Dr. Cyrus A. Bartol, has 
wisely written: — 

"Labor is never a thing of mere muscle or 
nerve. Are not intelligence, will, fidelity, 
and the sweat of the brow alike in the stu- 
dent's and the digger's task?" And this is 
the spirit of Mr. Curtis's life. 



CTAVE B. FLSH, one of the younger 
veterans of the late war, a well- 
known blacksmith of Fish's Eddy, 
is a native of Hancock, of which 
this village forms a part. On the paternal 
side he is of Welsh descent, his progenitors 




having come to America from Wales in the 
seventeenth century, being among the pio- 
neers of the New England States. 

Edmund Fish, great-grandfather of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, married Lydia Billings, of 
Connecticut. He was a Revolutionary sol- 
dier, and was employed throughout his life in 
farming. His children were: Isaac, Jehu, 
Daniel, Billings, Franklin, Lydia, Hannah, 
Lucy, Rebecca, and Grace. He removed to 
Vermont after the Revolution, and later went 
to Liberty, Sullivan County, N.Y., where he 
was one of the first settlers. Isaac Fish, son 
of Edmund, was born, in Stonington, Conn., 
April 14, 1777, and received his education in 
Vermont. Removing with his parents to 
New York, he assisted his father on the farm, 
and taught school in Liberty. He married 
Rachel Stewart, daughter of Jehial and 
Rachel (Williams) Stewart, of Massachusetts; 
and they had five children — Hiram, Jane, 
John, Stuart, and Charlotte. 

Hiram Fish was born in Rockland, Dela- 
ware County, February 5, 1809, and was an 
infant when his parents moved to Hancock. 
Later he removed with them to Rockland, and 
afterward to Ellenville. Having received his 
education in the public schools, he began 
while quite young to follow the life of a lum- 
berman on the Delaware River, and has now 
for many years been a steersman. When 
twenty-six years of age, he removed to Dela- 
ware County, where he married in 1836 Miss 
Persis A. Underwood, daughter of Silas 
Underwood, whose former home was near Bos- 
ton, Mass. Hiram Fish has been honored by 
having the thriving little village where he 
resides named for him; and he gave the land 
on which the depot of the O. & W. Rail- 
road stands, that it might be placed on his 
side of the river. He has held many town 
oflfices, as Justice of the Peace, Assessor, and 
Highway Commissioner, and was Postmaster 
from 1873 to 1887. He attends the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. He and his wife had 
eight children, five of whom still live, 
namely: Rachel J., who resides in Denver, 
Col.; Octave, the subject of this sketch; 
Emma M., wife of S. V. Proudfit, a lawyer of 
Glenwood, la.; Martha H., who married E. 
Martin Edwards, of Sidney Centre: and Ed- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



miind. The latter, who was born in 1S39, 
enlisted at the breaking out of the war, and 
served until 1863, when he was discharp;ed on 
account of sickness and returned home. In 
1 87 1, hoping to improve iiis healtii, hi- went 
to the Adirondacks, and lemained in that re- 
gion five years, following the occu]:>ation of 
guide and hunter. In 1876 he returned to his 
native town of Hancock, and seven vears later, 
in 1883, was appointed Assistant Superin- 
tendent of the Yellowstone National Park, 
and held that position until the park was 
placed under the control of the War Depart- 
ment in 1886. He returned home in poor 
health, but in 1893 his health was greatls 
benefited by a course of treatment. lie has 
served as Justice of the Peace, and votes with 
the Republican party. 

Octave B. P'isii was educated in the district 
schools, and in 1864, when but seventeen 
years of age, enlisted in Hancock in the One 
Hundred and I'orty-fourth Regiment, Com- 
pany F, and took ]iart in the engagement on 
James Island, in Februar\', 1865, serving 
until the close of the war, and being mustered 
out July 14, 1865. He then returned to his 
native town, where he engaged in lumbering 
until 1S70, when he learned the blacksmith's 
trade, at which he has since been employed. 
In the s]M-ing of 1881 he went to Colorado, 
where he worked at his trade for a time, after 
which he returned to Hancock. 

November 14, 1873, he married Miss Pillen 
M. Houck, daughter of Edwin antl Mary 
(Read) Houck: and they have had" four chil- 
dren: Jennie, born November 28, 1875: Syd- 
ney, born March 14, 1878; and Ennna and 
Mary, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. 
Fish attend the Methodist Episcopal church, 
and are highly respected members of society. 
Mr. Fish has been Constable for a number of 
years, is a Republican in politics, and is es- 
teemed wherever he is known. 




ried llie were >|ienl ill i_"\ciUl). \.^.; I.ii! 
shortly before llie deatii nl Mr. Eclis, r>n 
A[)ril 9, 1894, they moved to W'.iiton, wluii 
she now resides with hei childnn. Ten chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. i'.ells Cir.in- 
villc, Henjanun, Edward, Junius, Clanin e. 
I'"annie, Ailelaide, .Sophronia, Georgiana, :ind 
Juliet; and all are living but three. Mrs. 
ICells also has seventeen grandchildien to 
comfort her in her declining vears. 



RS. EMMA (McC'ALl.) i:i:i.l.S 
is the widow of Edward Eells, one 
of Walton's old residents. .She 
was born in Athens, Pa., in 
1835, antl at an early age was married to Ed- 
ward Eells. Most of the years of their mar- 



INirS HIRAM i:i;i.ES i> one .,1 the 
successful business men of \\'alti:)n, 
where his paternal grandfailiei', Henja- 
niin H. Eells, was an early settler, 
coming from Connecticut in 1770. In those 
days horseback was the only means of tra\-el- 
ling: and the familv emigrated in that wa\', 
bringing their household goods. Benjamin^ 
son, Jeremiah Baird, the father of Junius II. 
I'-ells, is now seventy-three years old, and fur 
over fifty years has been in the carriage busi- 
ness. He founded the firm of J. B. I^clls & 
Son, of which his son Frederick now has 
charge. J. B. Eells, or "Baird," as he is 
better known to the older residents, is one of 
the respected citizens of Walton: and during 
the late war he was elected .Supervisor. He 
and his wife, Sarah Olmsted, are enjo\ing 
the fruit of a well-spent life in their comfurt- 
able home on North Street. 

Mr. Junius H. Eells is a member of the 
firm of'l':ells & Mott, of Oneida, N.V., and 
rejiresents them on the road. He was born in 
Walton, February 21, 1S46, and when sixteen 
vears old enteretl his father's carriage-shop as 
an apjircntice. This trade he followed lor 
seventeen years, leaving it to travel fur 
Spencer & Co., of Oneida, whose business w;i> 
purchasefl by P'ells & .Mott over nine years 
ago. Mr. Eells was married December 27, 
1866, to lumicc C. -St. John, and four chil- 
dren were born to them: namely. I'r.mk. 
Howard, Bessie, and Emma, of whom only 
I-'rank and lunma are living. Mrs. Eunice 
liells died October 23, 18S3. On I'ehruary 
12, 18S5, Mr. F.ells married his second wife. 
Minnie Bass Tibbals, of New \'ork City, by 
whom he has had two children - Martha and 
Alden. The latter died August 4, 1892. 



6o4 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Mr. and Mrs. Eells also have an adopted 
child, Charlotte Brownell. Mrs. Minnie B. 
Eells was born in Stockbridge, Mass. Her 
grandfather was Jonathan Chamberlain, a 
Colonel in the War of 1812. A sturdy and 
patriotic citizen, with physical powers of re- 
markable endurance, he lived to be eighty-two 
years old without the loss of a tooth ; and it 
was his boast he did not know what the tooth- 
ache meant. 

In closing, it should be said that the sub- 
ject of this sketch, Junius H. Eells, is one of 
the best-known men in the carriage trade of 
the East, and the business of his firm covers 
six or seven States. Since May i, 1892, he 
and his family have occupied their spacious 
and comely new residence, built in the Colo- 
nial style, opposite the attractive home of the 
North sisters. 



(i)<^TLYSSES S. CAMPBELL was born on 
/At Campbell Mountain on December 5, 
iC yl 1837. The ancestor of this family 

^ of Campbells in America, and the 
grandfather of Ulysses, was Archibald Camp- 
bell, born in Scotland, September 24, 1776. 
Early in 1800 he emigrated to America; and 
in Westchester, N.Y., on November 29, 1803, 
he was married to Miss Mary Jones. Archi- 
bald moved to what is now known as the town 
of Colchester, but which at that time was al- 
most a trackless wilderness. With the cour- 
age and strength that marked the Scottish 
emigrant, he bought a tract of this land, and 
immediately began the arduous task of clear- 
ing a site for a habitation. There were Ind- 
ians in the vicinity more to be dreaded than 
the wild animals of the forest, and more jeal- 
ous of the encroachments of the "pale faces," 
who each year came in greater numbers to 
usurp the domains. 

In spite of the almost inconceivable diffi- 
culties of the situation, he brought his wife 
to their humble woodland home; and amid 
.these rough surroundings they reared a family 
of eleven children. Daniel C, their eldest 
son, born November 20, 1804, married Phcebe 
Bogart, and died November 12, 1874. Eliza- 
beth, born May 7, 1806, married Eleazer 
Conklin, and died July 30, 1853. Mary Ann, 



born March 29, 1808, married David Warren. 
Robert, born May 4, 1809, married Hannah 
Radeker, and died July 5, 1891. Janette, 
born May 15, 181 2, married Samuel Hitt, 
both deceased. Jane M., bom May 7, 1814, 
married W. H. Radeker, deceased. Archi- 
bald, born September 8, 18 16, married 
Charity Voorhees, and lives on Campbell 
Mountain. Cornelia, born August i, 1818, 
married Josiah Warren, and died June 15, 
1S69. John, born April 30, 1820, married 
Catherine Sprague, and died January 9, 1867. 
Esther, born June 3, 1822, married George 
Gregory, who died ; and she was married a 
second time to Enoch Knapp. Caroline, 
born August 25, 1824, was married twice, 
first to George Elmwood, second to Isaac Wil- 
son, and lives in Downsville. 

Archibald Campbell was left a widower, 
his wife Mary, who was born in Wales, June 
17, 1783, dying on the date of her birth, in 
1827, in Colchester. He returned to Scot- 
land after his second marriage, and died in 
his native land on August 8, 1856. Robert 
Campbell, the second son of Archibald, and 
the father of Ulysses, started out for himself 
at twenty-one years of age. He bought one 
hundred acres of his father's land; and then, 
as he saw that the business in which he had 
embarked — lumber dealing — was proving a 
successful venture, he purchased other timber 
tracts, and was soon considered the most skil- 
ful steersman who floated a raft on the 
Delaware. All of the lumber was sent to 
Philadelphia down the river; and the raftsmen 
were piloted back to Kingston, from which 
point they had to walk home. This return 
journey of sixty miles Robert often made in a 
day, being of remarkable physique and very 
athletic. He was deeply partisan during the 
anti-rent war, and was a Captain in general 
training at that time. 

He won the hand of Miss Hannah Radeker; 
and to them were born five children, namely: 
Ulysses S. ; Francis, born September i, 
1839, dying November 5, 1866, who was a 
Sergeant in the Civil War; Orin, born Octo- 
ber 28, 1844, who died in 1875; Helen, born 
October 31, 1841, now Mrs. C. T. Bogart, 
living in Downsville; Celestia Jane, born 
October 20, 1846, who married Mr. E. Brad- 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



''°5 



ley, and is now dead. Rolu-it Campbell died 
at the age of eighty-two years, having lived a 
useful Christian life worthy of the respect and 
imitation of all who knew him. He was a 
Whig in political faith and a Tresbyterian in 
religious convictions. His wife, Mrs. Han- 
nah Radeker, born May ^^'i, i .S04, was one of 
a large family, and the daughter of Jacob and 
Sarah Radeker. Her father was liorn Sep- 
tember 9, 1776, and died .A])ril 3, 1857. Tlie 
dates of her mother's birth and death were 
May 17, 1775, and .August i, J 8^4. 

Ulysses S. Camjibell grew up on the old 
homestead, which he afterward bought. He 
enlisted in the United Slates service in 1S62. 
in Company K, One Hundreil and l^'orty- 
fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, and was 
discharged in 1S63. In 1864 he re-enlisted, 
and remained in the ranks until the end of 
the struggle. In 1871 he was married, in 
Franklin, to ;\Iiss Sarah Francisco, a daughter 
of DeLancy and Jeannette (Davidson) Fran- 
cisco. Mrs. Campbell's |)arents were among 
the early settlers of Colchester. Her father 
was bom September 19, 1807, and died at the 
age of eighty-three years. Her motlier, 
whose home is with Mrs. Campbell, was born 
September li, 1811. Mr. Campbell has held 
several offices, and is now Commissioner of 
Highways. He formerly turned his attention 
to dairying, and has lately bought land in 
Downsville, where he has built a handsome 
residence. He lias always been an advocate 
of Repid)lican ])rinciples. Mr. and Mrs. 
Campbell are in the communion of the Pres- 
byterian churcli. They ha\e no children ex- 
cept two by adoption, namely: Mae D., who 
now resides with them; and Sherwood I). 
Francisco, who is now married, and resides 
on Mr. Cani[5beirs farm. They also gave a 
home to Robert C. Bradley and (Jrin Mathews 
for a number of vears. 



/^) I'.ORGF J. HL"\'(;K, a thriving farmer 
\ f5T of Dejjosit, was born in Tompkins. 
N.V.. September 7, 1840. son of 
Peter Huyck, jr., who was born in tlie same 
town, March 26, 1810, he being the son of 
Peter Huvck, a native of Schoharie County. 
Isaac Huyck, father of Peter, was also born 



in .'-icnMiKine County, and w,^^ n| Hutch de- 
scent, his ancestors having been among thi- 
original settlers of Xew \'..rk State, wiiile he 
was one of the founders of tlie town of Si ..dj, , 
or, as it is now ca!le<l, Schoharie. Kmioving 
from that place, he eventu.illy bou.-hl ;i farn^ 
in what is now Cannonsviile, on Trout Creek. 
.As time went on, iniprnvements were made by 
him, and the acreage increased. Isaac Huvck 
died when ninety six years of age, on the f;um 
lie Jiad cleared, and whicli is still held in his 
lamily. His son Peter assisted with the work 
on the farm, and later added to the number of 
acres on Trout Creek. .At the breaking out 
of the Revolutionary War lie enlisted with 
the American forces under different com- 
mands, and many and various were the anec- 
dotes of those exciting times he would relate 
to his grandchildren. He distinctly remem- 
bered the (light of his parents from their 
home near Kingston, whence they were driven 
by the Indians. Peter Huyck was married 
twice, first to Susana Gardner, of Kingston; 
and from this marriage there were four chil- 
dren — Lottie, Annie, (leorge, and Isaac. 
He married for his second wife Cornelia 
Huyck, a distant relative; and from this union 
there were seven children — Peter, Andrew, 
Jacob, Flisha, Susan, Julia, and Lavinia. Mr. 
Huyck lived on the homestead on Trout Creek, 
and died there when a very old man. 

Peter Huyck, Jr., started in active business 
life for himself as steersman, rafting logs to 
Philadeliihia. Later he took to buving nn;l 
selling live stock, walking long distances, 
driving his herd before him, buying and sell- 
ing as he went. At the end of a ^few years 
he bought a farm, which he stocked well, and 
in connection with his farm work engaged 
again in lumbering. When twenty-seven 
years of age, he married I^sthcr -Seeley, daugh- 
ter of William and Mary (Benedict ) Seelev, 
of Sidney. They had five children, namelv: 
William K., who married Lavinia (Begeal) 
Houghtaling, the widow of P^lias Houghtal- 
iiig, who was killed in the late war: George 
J., the subject of this biograjihy; Julia .A., 
who married Charles Downs, of Deposit: 
.Mary I£., who married William Begeal, son 
of Samuel and Charlotte (Barle\ ) Begeal. of 
Schoharie County; and Celia .Ann. who m.ir- 



6o6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



ried Charles A. Palmatier, of Tompkins. 
Peter Huyck, Jr., still lives at this writing, 
scarcely showing his advanced age of eighty- 
five years, and remembers all important 
events that have occurred during his life. 
Me was one of the founders of the Presbyte- 
rian church in his town, and its first Deacon. 
He was in his young days a Democrat; but at 
the starting of the Republican party he cast 
his vote with them, and has continued to do 
so up to the present time. 

George J. Huyck received his education at 
the district schools, helping his father with 
the farm work at odd times, and had just be- 
come of age, in 1862, when the war broke 
out. He enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Forty-fourth Regiment, New York Volun- 
teers, served three years; and at James 
Island, in front of Charleston, on February 
17, 1865, was shot by two minie balls, which 
struck both legs. After lying in the hospital 
at Beaufort, S.C., he returned to the regi- 
ment, and was granted a furlough of thirty 
days. He reported for duty at the end of 
that time, and was mustered out in Jidy of 
the same year. After remaining at home 
about two years, he went to Riceville, Mitch- 
ell Countv, la., where he engaged in farming 
and stock-raising. He remained there three 
years, then sold out, returned East, and 
bought the homestead, where he engaged in 
farming, dairying, and lumbering to a certain 
extent. In 1S92 Mr. Huyck sold that place, 
and went to the DeMoney farm, where he re- 
mained but a short time, as in 1894 he bought 
the Whitakcr estate, one of the best and old- 
est in the country. 

On November 27, 1872, (ieorge J. Huyck 
married Ann E. Travis, of Hale's Eddy, a 
descendant of the old Whitaker family, the 
original owners of his estate, and a sister of 
Squire Travis, of Hale's Eddy, town of De- 
posit. Mr. and Mrs. Huyck have three chil- 
dren — William Jan, Rutherford .Squire, and 
Celia Ann. Mr. Huyck is a member of the 
Presbyterian church, and his wife a member 
of the Baptist church of Tompkins. He was 
a charter member of Hathaway Post, Grand 
Army of the Republic, of Deposit, and is hon- 
ored and respected as a patriotic and useful 
. citizen. 



/m-p 



URDEN W. BATES, a descendant of 
\\^ I an old and honorable Scottish fam- 
ily, was born in the town of Col- 
chester, Delaware County, N.Y., October 13, 
1863. His great-grandfather, Robert Bates, 
left Monedie, Scotland, in 1801, and came to 
America, bringing papers attesting a highly 
honorable Christian parentage. 

James, the grandfather of Gurden, was a 
boy of ten years when his father emigrated to 
this country; and he grew up thoroughly im- 
bued with American ideas and Republican 
principles. He owned a place in Delhi, 
which he sold, and then settled on the estate 
in Colchester known as the "Squire Tate 
farm," a tract of four hundred acres of land. 
Here he conducted an extensive business in 
lumber dealing, floating his timbers down the 
Delaware to their markets. He belonged to 
the political party known as Whig in his gen- 
eration, and was of the old-school Presbvte- 
rian faith. To him and his wife, Elizabeth 
Bates, were born six children, namely: Mary, 
the wife of William Polleck, of Iowa; Sarah, 
the wife of Mr. Jared Fuller, of Iowa; Har- 
riet, who married Simon Horton, both dead ; 
Robert; James, Jr., who married Amanda 
Dann, of New York City; Gurden E., who, 
after serving in the Civil War, went to Kan- 
sas, and died there in 1888. 

Robert Bates, son of James, was born in 
Delhi on February 25, 1823. He was edu- 
cated in the district schools, and worked with 
his father in the lumber business until he was 
twenty-four years old, when he married Miss 
Mary Wilson, a daughter of John and Millicent 
(Rumsey) Wilson. Robert Bates bought the 
northern portion of his father's farm when he 
first began farming, and finally purchased the 
entire estate. He was largely engaged in 
lumber dealing, in which he was eminently 
successful. He held the office of Postmas- 
ter from 1849 to 1852, and was Justice of the 
Peace for twelve years. He was a Republi- 
can, and in 1879 was elected a member of the 
Assembly, and was Sabbath-school superin- 
tendent for thirteen years. He died on the 
13th of July, 1888, leaving his wife, who sur- 
vived him two years. 

Gurden W. Bates, son of Robert and Mary 
(Wilson) Bates, grew up and was educated in 



UKXJRAI'IIICAI. KKVIKW 



V.7 



his native town of Colchcsti,!. After liis 
father's death he took complete control of tlic 
home farm. He and his widowed mother 
moved afterward to iJownsville. when the lat- 
ter died. Mr. Giirden Hates was aiipointeil 
Deputy Sheriff in the autumn of 1889, and 
continues to hold this office. He belonj;s to 
the Rei)ub]ican jKirty in politics, and is in the 
conmuMiion of the I'reshvterian church. 



,incc 111 innl-.liii- u|) the tnwn, and ..n,- ,,1 t-iu- 
I strong- workers in the Maptisl cliurrh. He had 

I vv'i I VI' I \-> 'k; I •-11 'K i it tfli 1 .111 Ki .1'. . I . : •.. * I. : 1 




lAKl.I'lS K. S(_()l'ii;i.D is a worthy 
re|)resentati\e nf an honored pioneer 
il^ ^, family of the town of .Masonville. 
His birth occurred on the farm 
where he now resides, Maich j6, 185^, it 
bciiii;- the home of his paients, Hiiani and 
Angeline (Olmstead) Scofieitl, the former of 
whom was born in the town of Half Moon, 
Saratoga County, May J7, iSij, and the latter 
in Mason\ille, ( )ctober 10. 1814. 

^His ])ati'rnal grandfather, (lilbert Scoiield, 
and his maternal grandfather, Henjamin ()lni- 
stead, both served as soldieis in the Revolu- 
tion. The f<irmer was of Ivnglish ancestry, 
and the latter of h'.nglish and (iernian. (lil- 
bert .Scofield came to Mason\ille with his 
familv in 181 :;, ami bought the farm adjoining 
the one where his grandson now resides, it 
being then in a wihl anil unimproved condi- 
tion, a small opening on which a lude log 
house had been built being the on]\ attempt at 
improvement. ( )n a hill neai h\' Mrs. .Sco- 
field, when retiH'ning fiom a neighbor's one 
evening, was chased l)\' wdlves. .She carried 
a pine torch in hei' hand, anil was thus seen bv 
her husband, who took a toich and lan out to 
meet her. ( I ilberl '.Scoheld was an ingeiiicjus 
man, and before the invention of iion and steel 
l)loughs irsed to make wooden ones to irse 
in culti\ating his land. He was the first 
person in town to introduce a cook-slo\e into 
his household. lie died wiien but tift\-five 
\ears old, his wife li\ing to the age of eight\- 
one. Both were members of the Baptist 
chiu'ch ; and, |)<dit icall\\ he was a Democrat. 
Of their large family of ten children, Hiram, 
the father of Charles, is the onl}' one now- 
living. Henjaniin ()lmstead was also an early 
settler of Mason\-ille, anil managed a line farm 
of one hundred acres. He was of great assist- 



Iwd wives, each o| whom bore him Iwn chil 
dren, .\ngeline being a daughter ■ 
marriage. Both he and his : 
when about se\ent\ vears of ,ige 



r o| his (iist 
isl u ill- dinl 



Hii 



am .Scofield grew to inaidi«ioc| in .M;iM,n 
ville, receiving his schoolin- in the lo; 
school-house, which, with 
benches, stood two or thiee mijrs from 
h<ime. 



its ],in. legged 

. mi Irs Ironi hi> 

( )n .September 8, 18^''. he was united 
in marriage to .Angeline ( )lmstead, the Kew 
Henry Robertson, who now resides in Ben- 
nettsx i lie. ijerforminj. 
his man iaLie hi 



the ceremoUN. .\fter 



his marriage he bought land near the cdd lionu- 
stead, a part of which he alreadv owneil, am 
on which he engaged in general farming an. 
stock-raising for many \ears. In piditics he 
is a stanch Democrat, and has alwa\s been in- 
fluential in local affairs, haxing served as 
.Supervisor one term, besides holding minor 
offices. He is yet vigorous in intelleit and 
botlv bii- one <if hi.s advanced vears, and is 
looked u])on with respect and esteem. He is 
liberal in his religious views. ( )f the nine 
children born to him and his wife, who passed 
away Jidv ,0, 1888. eight ,u;rew to maturitv 
and si.\ are now living, the familv lecord being 
as lidlows: (iilbert B. , born .August 6, 1 8 ^<j, 
was married, and died Mav 15, 1886, in Dead- 
wood, Dak. ; .\daline, born Mav ^, 1841, died 
July j8, 1865; Matilda .A., born December 
16, 1842, is the wife of William Mosher. of 
l^ainbridge; Louisa, born ( )ctober 2. 1844. is 
the widow ol I-jnerson l-'rcnch, and resides in 
Morrisville ; Mai'v, born .August j8, 1846. is 
the wife of ( )scar Broad, of .North .Sanford ; 
lliiam ]•;., born July \2. 1848. died March 
25. 1849; ( )scar, born l-'ebiiiary 7, 1850, is a 
.-...;, I..,,. ..I (■...■i;.i.. ii., ,,-u..',.. 1,.. '.,..„. .. 



resilient of Carlisle, i'a 
creamery ; Charles R. : I 
[4, 1855, is the wife of Levi ( )1 



where he owns a 

a r. . horn March 

m stead, of 



North .Sanford. 

Charles R. has s]jent the larger part of his 
life in the i)lace of his nativity, having ac- 
quired his education in its district schools 
and in theacademv in L'nadilla. lie rem. lined 
a member of the ixuental homestead until 
attaining his majoritv, when he began life for 
himself. lie has devoted his attention to cul- 
tivating the soil, and for three vears was a 



6o8 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



resident of Afton, where he owned a good farm 
of one hundred and eight acres. This he sold 
in order to buy the homestead nl his parents, 
of which he tool< ]3ossession in 1892, and 
which he and his estimable wife are now 
managing with profit. His farm, containing 
one hundred and forty-nine acres, is pleasantly 
located, well supplied with substantial build- 
ings, and stocked with Jersey grade cattle. 

On November i, 1876, Mr. Scofield married 
Miss Deeta Keith, who was born July 21, 
J 853, in Milford Centre, Otsego County, 
being a daughter of Amos and Lydia (Scott) 
Keith, both of whom were natives of Massa- 
chusetts. Mr. Keith was a shoemaker by 
trade, but after his removal to Milford he 
engaged in farming. He died at the age of 
seventy-six years. His widow is still living, 
and makes her home in Binghamton with her 
daughter, Mrs. William Darling. He was a 
sound Republican, and both he and his wife 
were members of the Ba])tist church. They 
reared ten children, eight of whom are living,- 
namely: Andrew Jackson, of Hornellsvillc ; 
Lockwood, of Bainbridge; Mary Darling, 
residing in Binghamton; Newton, of- Mason- 
ville; ]{liza Phelps, of Chicago; George and 
Albert, of Sidney ; and Mrs. Scofield. The 
deceased were Luzerne, who died at the age of 
eighteen years; and Angeline Green, who died 
in Binghamton, at thirty-four. 

Mr. and Mrs. Scofield have four children : 
Harvey F. , born January 11, 1879; Emerson 
C, born September 2, 1885; Florence A., 
born November 30, 1889; and Mary ]i., born 
June 29, 1 891. Both parents are valued mem- 
bers of the Baptist church, and in politics 
Mr. Scofield is closely identified with the 
Democratic party. A man of undoubted in- 
tegrity, he is a member of Masonx'ille Lodge, 
No. 606, A. F. & A. M. 



fOlIX M. ORR was born on the farm in 
Kortright, where he now resides and 
has lived throughout his life. He be- 
longs to an old and prominent family, 
the members of which have been connected 
with the history of this town since the begin- 
ning of the century. Mr. Orr's grandfather, 
John Orr, was a nati\e of Ireland and a pioneer 



of Kortright, where he located his habitation 
about the year 1800, buying half of the land 
now occupied by the subject of this sketch. 
The tract consisted of one hundred acres, par- 
tially improved, containing a small clearing 
and a log house ; and here he resided for manv 
\ears, the latter ]jart of his life being spent in 
Kortright. John Orr was an industrious and 
religious man. He died at the age of seventy- 
five years, his wife Elizabeth also living to a 
good old age. Both were members of the 
United Presbyterian church ; and they were the 
parents of seven children, three sons and four 
daughters, all of whom have passed away. 

Their son, David Orr, was born in Dublin, 
Ireland, but at the age of twenty-one years 
came to America, where he married Nancy 
Spencer, of Davenport, N. Y. He was a 
weaver by trade, but gave his whole attention 
to farming in this countr\-. His new occupa- 
tion proved eminently successful, and he be- 
came the owner of two hundred and fifty-two 
acres of land. His death occurred in the town 
of Kortright, at the age of eighty-three years, 
his wife dying when sixty-five years old, both 
members of the Presbyterian church. Of their 
eleven children, six still survive, namely: 
Elizabeth, a resident of Kortright; Robert, 
who lives in Almeda; John, the subject of this 
biography; Joseph, of Kortright; William, 
also residing in Kortright; David M., a resi- 
dent of Davenport. The following have passed 
away : Sarah, Nancy, Hester, Mary, and James. 

John M. Orr was born November 12, 1823, 
and grew up on the old home farm, attending 
the district .school. In early manhood he pur- 
chased the old homestead, where he resided for 
twenty-six years, and then bought the farm 
which he now occupies, on the Beatty Brook 
road. He owns two hundred and sixty-two 
acres, carrying on general farming and dairy- 
ing. He has fifty cows, and manufactures 
butter of the finest quality. 

On January 20, 1856, Mr. Orr married Miss 
Mary J. Pogue, who was born in Kortright, 
August 8, 1836, a daughter of John and 
Hannah (Kilpatrick) Pogue. Mr. Pogue was 
a native of Ireland, and died at the age of 
fifty-two years, his wife, who was born in 
Kortright, living until her si.vty-second year. 
Both were Presbyterians. Mr. and Mrs. Orr 








(John M. Orr. 



KIOORAl'lllfAI. KKVIKW 



have been called lo pan with mie lIuUI. Alai; 
I-"., wife of J. S. I'ditei-. wlm died at the a-e 
of thirty-three years; and thev haw tliree 
childien now li\ini;-. nanieh ; James K. who 
resides at home and assists his father in tile 
manat;enient of the farm; 1 )a\ id \\ . . wiio also 
helps on the home farm; and Jenn\ il., wife 
ot I\ol)ert S. McCraeken, a farmer of Kort 
riuht. James K. ( )rr, eldest son of John M., 
has taken an acti\e part in politics, ha\in,i; 
been nominated for Super\isoi- bv the Demo- 
cratic ]Kuty. lie is a sin-le man, of liberal 
religi()ns \iews, and is a very siiccessfid 
farmer. 

Mr. ()rr's larm is carried on nndei" the lirm 
name of J. .M. ( )rr & Sons, and is one of the 
most thriving in this section of the countrw 
The family attend the I'reslnterian church, of 
which Davitl Orr is a Deacon. Ihev are 
hi_i;hly resjiected and honored throughout the 
town where the\- reside, the entire faniilv 
being industrious, energetic, and u]iright. A 
portrait ol this wortlu' representatixe of the 
sagacious and thrixing agricidturists of Dela- 
ware Coimt}- will be found on a neighboring 
Ijage. 




HOMA.S HILL. iJininietor anti manager 
)f the .Ackerly Hotel in Margarettviiie. 
was born in .Sjiokan, L'Ister Coimtx', on 
.\])ril 19, 1 S.^^). and is a grandson of .An- 
drew Hill, of I'eckskili. who was a large 
landholder, and one of the first ]irojectors of 
the I'lster & Delaware Railroad. Andrew 
Hill li\ed to an honorable old age, haxingbeen 
an energetic and successful worker foi' the 
Democratic parts', in whose [)rinci]des he was 
thorough !}■ and intelligeiUh' \ersetl. .Six sons 
were born to him, namch': Abraham; Will- 
iam; Samuel; John; .Andiew, Jr.; and 
Thomas — all of whom are now dead. i'homas 
Hill of the second generation, and the falhei' 
of the Thomas of whom this sketch is wi'itten, 
was also a large land-owner, and was engaged 
as a merchant farmer arid lumber dealer. He 
was a member of the legislature in 1 iS64, and 
was an ardent Democrat and able politician. 
He held the office of Superxisor, ami was prom- 
inent in civic affairs generallx'. In 1X40 he 
married Maria Russell, a daughter (if William 



Russell, a l.unui ol I'Nler t ounlx, ujin u.i-^ 
successlul in business ;uid the fiither i.| a hii'.- 
lamily. The nundier of desceiiikml-. was rr 
peated in this gener.ition, six rhildren b.in;; 
born to Ihomas and .Maria (Russelh Hill. 
< )ne ol their sons was J.>seph, wh.i m:irried 
Lli/ibeth llogan, :in<l who li\,-s will, hj^ 
family at Shok:ui. Thom;is Hill, the soun-er. 
with whose name tliis article begins, was t-du 
cated in the Shokan school, ;iu(l beg.m Inrsiness 
at the age of t wentx-lxvn xears :it .Sh.indiiken as 
a merchant, continuing in mercantile life for 
eighteen years, after xvhieh periorl he iioiighi 
the .\ckerly Hotel in Marg.irettx ille. which is 
still under his management. .Mr. Hill wim 
lor his wife Miss Jessie Huih.ius, a dauglUer 
of l-'rancis H. and Louisa (I'reston) Hurhaus. 
Three children were born c.f this union, as 
lollows: .Maud, born l-"ebiuar\ :;. iNjci; 
Ihomas H.. now dead, Ixirn I'ebi uarx 15. 1S74. 
and Jessie M., born on .August 20. 1 Sj^. I',,]- 
loxving the family traditions. Mr. Hill is what 
may be called a "Ijorn " Democrat, and holds 
a political office after the manner of his fore- 
fathers. 

.Mis. Hill's father, j-'rancis li. liurhaus. 
was a son ol luKvard Hurhaus. |i. . ;nid a 
grandson of Ltlward and M;ii\- .\ewinan Hui 
bans. I'.dward. the ancestor, was a native 
of Kingston, coming after the Re\'oliitionar\ 
War to Ro.xbury, where he bought the farm 
noxv owned b\ R. Modre. I'rancis H. Hur- 
haus started to earn his own lixing at fourteen 
years ot age. but short Ix' abandonetl farming 
antI learnetl the trade of liiacksmith, in which 
he was verx' successful. He afterward trav- 
elled as far west as Chicago, and in all the 
.States on this side of the Mississippi River, 
for Pratt. .Snyder & Co., oil-cloth manufact- 
iners. He ne.vt went into the hotel busi- 
ness, which 1h- finally gave up to enter 
mercantile life. He is a resident of M;ii 
irarettville. 



(^OII.X <•. WHirARI-.R. u farmer ..1 
Trout Creek, in Tomjikins. Delaware 
Coimtv, a representative of a well- 
known pioneer familv, was l>orn in this 

town, .-\ugust 2-. i^>49. He is a g- ' d- 

son of Ucujanw-n W'hitaker. who w.i i- 



6l2 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



of Wyoming Valley, Pa., and with his family 
was obliged to flee from the Indians and Tories 
at the time of the massacre, his wife bringing 
her baby on her back, while he carried the 
older child. Together they made their way on 
foot to the Delaware Valley, where 14eaj*m-in 
W'hitaker built a house on the left bank of the 
river, and resided here until his death at an 
ailvanced age. His son John, the baby 
brought on that long and weary journey from 
Wyoming, having grown to manhood, settled 
near what is now Sanford, Broome County, 
and, after clearing the land, erected the build- 
ings which still stand on the place. He mar- 
ried Catherine Weaver; and they had these 
children — Squire, Henry, Ogden, Stephen, 
Richard, l-:iizabeth, Zil'pha, ' Phebe, Polly, 
Catherine, and Margaret. John Whitaker died 
at the age of ninety-six years. 

Richard Whitaker, the father of the subject 
of this biography, was born October 7, 1816, 
in Sanford, and attended the district school 
and assisted his parents on the farm. When 
twenty-one, he purchased a farm in Sanford, 
which he sold four years later, buying the farm 
now occupied by his son. He married Polly 
Ann Hill, born I'ebruary 22, i<Si6, daughter 
of Isaac and Clarissa (Parks) Hill, of Tomp- 
kins. Mrs. Polly A. Whitaker died April 20, 
1883. Isaac Hill was a pioneer farmer of that 
section. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Rich- 
ard Whitaker were the following: Josejihine, 
born February 24, 1845, the wife of William 
11. Brewer, a farmer of Masonville, died Janu- 
arv 28, 1894, leaving four children, namely: 
Martha K., born January 1, 1872: Marion V... 
born March 3, 1873; Alberta L. , born Septem- 
ber 3, 1875; and Helen M, born January 8, 
1883. Fredonia, born January 13, 1847, mar- 
ried Albert (iould, of (iroton, Tompkins 
County, and has four children: Alice, born 
l-"ebruary 2, 1871; Rosa M., born in April, 
1873; Mary, born in 1875; and Frank. John 
(). is the subject of this biography. Orville 
R., born May 10, 1853, married Helen 
.McLean, of Owego, Tioga County, and has 
three children: Ole M., born March 8, 1875; 
< )scar !•■. , born (October i, 1877; and Charles 
U., l)orn July 20, 1881. 

John C). Whitaker attended the district 
schoiil of his native town, and adopted a 



farmer's life. On November 18, 1874, he 
married Laura Matleson, born September 15, 
1859, daughter of Albert and Catherine 
(Davis) Matleson, of Ma.sonville, her father 
being a farmer and carpenter of that town. 
Jonathan Davis, paternal grandfather of Mrs. 
Whitaker, was a life-long resident of Exeter, 
Otsego County, where he passed away. Mr. 
and Mrs. Whitaker have two children: Clara, 
born September 9, 1875; and Blanche, born 
June I, 1881. Mr. Whitaker is a man of good 
character, upright in conduct, and is held in 
high respect by his neighbors and friends. 




1{NR\' J. DICKSON, a prominent 
citizen of Andes, Delaware County, 

ks y where he is a large owner of mills 
and other property, was born Sep- 
tember 17, 1858, being the son of John and 
Alice (Gladstone) Dickson. 

His grandparents, James and Jane (Trotter) 
Dickson, came to America in 18 16. Though 
a carpenter by trade, Mr. Dickson took a farm 
of a hundred and forty acres in the tow-n of 
Andes, which is the estate now occupied by 
James Armstrong. Their children were nine 
in number. Elizabeth Dickson married John 
Baker, and is now dead. William Dickson 
married a Miss Holmes, and is also dead. 
Thomas Dickson, no longer living, married 
Mary Turnbull. James Dickson, a resident of 
Andes, married lilizabeth Davis. Mary Dick- 
son, deceased, married Edward Turnbull. 
John Dickson married for his first wife Alice 
Gladstone, and his second w'ife was Elizabeth 
01i\er. Peter Dickson married liliza Bank, 
and they are lixing in Penn.sylvania. Henry 
Dick.son, decea.sed, married Esther Ciladstone. 
Ellen Dickson married Amos l-'risbee, and 
their home is in (JIadstone Hollow. 

John Dickson, the father of Henry J., was 
born March 30, 1827, at the old homestead, 
and was educated in the common schools. As 
his father died while he was still young, his 
self-reliance was early developed; and at the 
age of twenty years he was engaged as a car- 
penter. While still a young man, he bought 
a farm of eight acres of D. Ballentine, but 
soon sold this ])arcel of land, and, marrying, 
purchased a farm and settled in Gladstone 



15IOGRAPHICAI, RF^VIEW 



"^ 



Hollow, in Aiulcs. Ik' bccann.' uic lallici ol 
six children, as follows: Walter. Maf;j;ic, anil 
Man- .\. Ditkson, all of whom an.- dead: 
Hcnn j. Dickson, the suhjeel of this sketch; 
I'^sther Dickson, who nianied (leor;;e I-'.. (Had- 
stone, a merchant in M;iri;arell\ ille, :ind has 
one child; William Dickson, lixinj; at home. 
After a time John Dickson sold the farm at 
(iladstone Hollow, and bonght the ])iesent 
home in the villaj;e, with its ninetv acres of 
land. He is a Reptiblican, a member of the 
United Presbyterian ihurch, and hulds the 
office of Assessor. 

Henry J. Dickson was educated at the acad- 
em\' of his native town. At twent\-fi\e vears 
of age he turned his attention to agricidture, 
taking his father's farm; but at the end of 
three \'ears he sold two lunidied acres to Reed 
Dmnond, and nio\e<l into the village of Andes. 
Here he bought of his uncle, I'eter Dickson, 
a store filled with general merchandise and 
agricidtiu-al im|)lements of all kinds; also a 
grist-mill, where he engaged in manufacturing 
b\' the roller process buckwheat flour. Inning 
the grain and grinding it into different kinds 
of feed. l'"or the first nine months he managed 
the entire business alone. Then in i S.S6 he 
todk as a partner W'altei' J. .\rmstrong, son of 
Walter ^Armstrong, living in the village. .\ 
sketch of the Armstrong family ma_\' be found 
elsewhere in this xohnne. The grist-mill 
which Henr\- Dickson bought of I'eter Dickson 
was originalh' a carding and fulling mill, and 
was built b\- the \\'aterbur\s about the \ear 
1.S30. In iS.S/ Mr. Dickson rebuilt the mill, 
putting in a steam-engine of twenty-five-horse- 
])ower, to be used in midwinter and summer. 
.Attached to this mill he now has a firkin fac- 
tor}-, and he is also the owner of a pkining and 
saw mill. Among his other possessions are a 
tenement house and a building containing a 
l)hotogra|)h gallerw law otfice, and dress-mak- 
ing establishment. He also owns real estate 
in Delhi. 

Henrv J. Dickson marrieil Kate I.awson, 
daughter of James and .\aucy Mc(iregory, of 
Delhi. Jennie .Mc(iregor\, a sister of Mrs. 
Dickson, married .Adam Rutherford. Mr. 
and Mrs. Dicksun have four children: Ray 
Dickson, born iti 1X84; .Alice Dickson, born 
in 1S87; Lynn Dickson, born in 1X90; ami 



liilltird DukMin, hnin in li^'^j. 1 lie l.ouih. 
residenie is a line m.nisidii situated uii .\I;iin 
Street, surrounded b\ beiniliful groimds. .Mr. 
Dickson is a Re|iublican. a membei' uf the 
I'nited l'iesl)\ teri:in chinch. ;ind ;i man nf 
large abil it\' and inlluence. He is \erv useful 
in the community, ami has much to dn with 
the |)rosperit\' of his town. 




LCUSTL'.S J. (;.\RI'i:N'ri-;R. a re- 
tired farmer, who nccupies a jileasant 
home in the \illage of \\'alton, 
may be classed as (iiie uf the self- 
maile men of Delaware Countv, li;i\ ing begmi 
his careei" without othei' resources than his 
own indomitable will and perse\ering in- 
dustry. He was born in the town of 1 lam- 
den, Delaware fount}', in KS44, and is a son 
of John I,. Carpenter, a farmer bv occupation, 
who married Jidiet .Smith, daughter of IV-n- 
janiin Smith. At the age of thirt\-si.\ }ears 
she was called from this life, and was followed 
the next wai' b} her husb:uid. l-'oin- suns, 
the eldest ni whom \v;is but thirteen \ears old, 
were left orjihans, and were subset|uent l\ 
cared for l)\ kind neighbors and friends, 

.Augustus J. Caipenter was nine \e;irs old 
when the death of his father occurred, and he 
was taken t<i the home of a neighbor with 
whom he lived for a vear. He then bec;une 
an inmate of the household df a relati\e, 
Jotham .Scudder, a blacksmith, resiiling near 
Delhi, with whom he li\ed until attaining his 
majorilN'. He leceived a limited ;imount ol 
schooling, and became familiar with the trade 
of a blacksmith; hut work at the forge having 
no attractions for him, he turned his attention 
to agriculture, and went to work on a farm b}' 
the month. Jkdng hard-working and econom- 
ical in his habits, he saved some nione}-. and 
in iS/S bought one himdred and six acres o( 
good land in the town of .Mason\ille, where he 
carried on general farming with excellent re- 
sults. In KSy5 he sold his farm and removed 
to the village of Walton, where he is now en- 
joving the fruits of his earlier years of labor. 

Mr. Carpenter has been twice marrieil. On 
l-"el)ruar\' 4, I S69, he was wciMeil to Aliikt 
Cramer, daughtei' of William and Toll}' (Mun- 
soni C'ramer, all natives nf Delaw;ne Cciunt\. 



6.4 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



She died on the farm in Masonvillc, March 12, 
1885, ieavin^^ one son, William. Since her 
death Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage 
to Mrs. Margaret (Wright) Ogdcn, daughter 
of Malcom and Margaret (Shaw) Wright, and 
widow of the late iulward Ogden, who died in 
the village of Walton, in March, 1871, being 
then but thirty-six years old. Mr. Ogden 
was born in Walton, .son of Abram and Mar- 
garet (Sawyer) Ogden, who removed here from 
New Jersey. His great-grandfather was one 
of the earliest settlers of the county; and his 
grandfather. Daniel Ogden, cleared and im- 
proved a fine farm, four miles from Walton, 
on West Brook, the farm now being owned 
and occupied by William H. Ogden, a son of 
Mrs. Carijenter. Mr. Wright, the father of 
Mrs. Carpenter, was born in Scotland, emi- 
grating from there when a young man. His 
wife, Margaret Shaw, was a native of Delhi. 
Three sons and si.x daughters were born of 
their union, all of whom, with the exception 
of two daughters, are now living. Of the 
union of Margaret Wright and Edward Ogden 
eight children were born, three of whom are 
deceased; namely, Eliza, Emily, and Charles. 
Eliza died at the age of twenty-two years. 
Emilv, who married Piatt Hanford, died in 
1887, at the age of twenty-nine \ear.s, leaving 
an infant daughter. Charles married Imelda 
Heer.s, he died May i, 1892, aged thirty 
years, leaving his widow antl two children — 
Thurman and Eouise. The names of the 
living children are as follows: William H. 
who resides on the Ogden farm, as before 
mentioned; Julia, who was graduated from 
the Walton High School, was a successful 
teacher, and is the wife of Edwin Guild; 
Jennie, an active young lady, living with her 
ijrother on the farm; John, a harness-maker; 
and James, a salesman in a hardware store in 
Oxford. 



§()11X W. (;()L'LD, a prosperous farmer 
of Hancock, was born in Devonshire, 
England, in 1830, and was brought to 
this country by his [xircnts when but 
two years of age. His father, John Gould, 
was a stone-mason, who came to this country 
with his faniilv and settled in Xewburg on the 



Hudson, where he was very successful in his 
trade of stone-cutting. In 1842 he exchanged 
his property in that place for eight hundred 
and fifty acres of land in the wilderness of 
what was then considered the West. Hiring 
a guide to pilot them through the forest, the\' 
made the journey to Westfield in wagons ; and 
from there seven ox teams hitched to wood- 
shod sleds transported them to w-hat is now 
called Gould's settlement. They were the 
pioneers of this section, it being five years be- 
fore any other settlers came here. John Gould 
married Mary Gillard, of his native town; and 
they had eight children at the time of their 
removal to Hancock, four of whom had been 
born in England. After settling in that 
town, he was head mason for the Erie Rail- 
road, and was employed on many public works 
in the State, being exceptionally .skilful. In 
his forty-ninth year, while engaged in drawing 
logs to a mill, he was killed by the rolling of 
a huge log. His life had been one of untiring 
industry, and his death occurred just as he was 
rising to easy circumstances. His w^ife sur- 
vived him about six years. 

John W. , being the eldest son and about 
twenty-four years of age, was now called to 
the management of the farm. He subse- 
quently ijurchased two hundred and thirty-two 
acres of land near the old homestead, and 
erected a substantial frame house and com- 
modious farm buildings, there being no roads 
within six miles of his farm. At the break- 
ing-out of the war he went to Hancock to en- 
list in his country's service, but was persuaded 
by his seven brothers, who were already en- 
rolled, to remain at home and care for their 
families. He is the eldest of twelve children, 
nine of whom grew to maturity, namely: John 
W. ; (ieorge, who was a soldier in the One 
Hundred and Eorty-fourth New York State 
\'olunteers; Hannah, who married Mar\in 
Thomas, a farmer in Gould's settlement ; 
James, a soldier in the One Hundred and 
Forty-fourth Regiment, now a resident of 
California; William, a member of the same 
regiment; Richard, who enlisted in the One 
Hundred and Forty-third New York State 
X'olunteers; Henry, a soldier of the One Hun- 
dred and Forty-fourth New York State Volun- 
teers; Charles, who died in service in the 



lilOGRAI'lIICAI. KF.VIKW 



r.,'. 



Tenth Legion Excelsior Bri^adi , \\(skv. a 
soldier of the l-"orty- fifth I'ennsvlvania. 

Septemlocr 9, i.s'fio, John W. (ioiild nianied 
Sarah Jane Lobdell, daughler of James and 
Sarah (Cowell) Lolxlell, of Weslcrlo, Alhanv 
County. 

Mrs. (iould's fatiicr and her i;randfatlier were 
both ministers of tiie Methodist hlpiseopal 
Church, and were ])ioneers of Alhanv County. 
Mr. and Mrs. Could are ineml)ers of tiie .MetJi- 
odist Episcoixil church ; and Mr. (ionld has for 
seven years been .Assessor of tlie town, and has 
al.so held the office of Ndtarv I'ul)!ic. lie is 
now engaged in farming and wool-growing, in 
which he is \er\ successful. Ik- has no chil- 
dren of his own, hilt he and his wife have edu- 
cated and brought up three who were of other 
families. Mr. (ioukl cast his first \ote for 
John C. l-"remont, antl has alwa\s voted with 
the Rejiublican party. He is nniversallv 
regarded with respect and esteem, wherever 
known. 




;£,|;Y I<'.'nii;.\Ll) CAMIMU'LL, an exten- 
dve farmer in the town of Colchester, 
now retired from acti\e life, was 
born .Sc])t ember 6, I,S|6. 1 1 is 
father, Archibald Campbell, .Sr. , a British 
soldier for five years, was born in .Scotland in 
1776. After coming to .America he married 
Mary Jones, of Wales, anil settled in West- 
chester Count}', where he was o\erseer of a 
large farm. Tiring of his position, and eager 
for a home of his own, he shortly ventured 
westward, with onlv a ]iack of small articles to 
pay his way. lie journe\ed on through the 
wilderness of uncleared land, occasionally 
meeting a family, until at last he reached 
Hrock Mountain and secured of Charles Teed 
a small tract of land. lie returned for his 
wife: and, accompanied by her and iheir three 
children, he again (iei)arted for the new home, 
where he lived a short time. And then he 
bought the site now owned by his son Archi- 
bald, and mo\ed here, leasing one hundrcil and 
twelve acres. .At different times he added 
land to his estate, which he cleared with the 
help of his son, and, building a saw-mill, 
.sawed the timber and ran the lumber down the 
river to market. 



1 he elder .Xrciiib.iM .nid lii> wile .Mar\ had 
elevL-n children, namely: I);inifl, wlm w.is 
born Niivcmber ::ci, 1.S04, ;ind ni;irrird I'lK-bv 
Hogart : I-;ii/.al)eth, who w;is born M:iv 14, 
1X06, and married l-;ie;i/er Conkl in : ' .Mary 
.Ann, who was bMiii .March 2'). i.SdS, and mar- 
ried David Wanvn : Robert, who was burn 
May 5, 1.S09. and ni;irried Hannah Radeker; 
Jennetl, who was burn .Ma\ 15, i,S|j, and mar- 
ried .Samuel Hill: Jane .Mari.i, who u.csbom 
May 7, 1.S14, and m.irried Willi;un II. R;idc- 
ker: .Xrchihald, subject of this sketch: Cor- 
nelia, who was born August 1, i.Si.S, and 
married Josiah Warren: John, win. was bi.rn 
.April 30, i.S'20, and miuricd Catherine 
.Si_)rague: Esther, who was born June 3, 1X22, 
and married (icorge (lregui\; Candine, who 
was born .August 25, iXj;, and married (ieorge 
ICIwood. When his wife died, the father 
became discontented with his himie, :uid, sell- 
ing the farm to his suns, returnetl to .Scotland 
and married a lady whom he had known and 
loved before he came to .\meric;i. He died 
there .August ^o, 1.S56. 

.Archibald Cam|)bell. ihiril son of .Xrchihald 
and Mary Campbell, bought a ]5art of the 
estate and continued the work of lumliering, 
clearing the land and raising grain and stock. 
He mairied Charit)-, d;mghter of John C. 
X'oorhees, a farmer of .Sullivan Coimtv : anil 
they had a family of ten children, as fcdlows: 
Ileniy, who was born December 20. 1 .S44, 
and married Laura Radeker: .Sarah, who was 
born -September 12, i S46, and married Mr. 
.\. Cowen : James, who was born Jime 2^. 
1S49, and married l.mitta Jellett: John, who 
was born May 27, 1N51: . Xrchihald, Jr., who 
was born .A])ril 50, 1S53: Charles, who was 
born I'"ebru:iry 26, 1S36, and marrieil Mary 
.Shell; Cidin, who was born in 1S57, and mar- 
ried .Sarah Johnston: Dunc:in, who was horn 
October 2^, i''^39: Horace, who was born .Sep- 
tember 17, 1861: and Hugh, who was born 
November 16, 186;, and married Mimiie 
(iregor)'. 

Mr. Cani])hell has made many ailditions to 
his farm, and now owns over fi\e hiuKlred 
acres, keeping twent\-fi\e cows and a large 
stock ot shee|). The olil buildings ha\e been 
remoilelletl, and new ones erecteil : but since 
his wife's death. M.irch 27, 1892, he has 



6ir, 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



rented his farm to his son, and now lives a 
retired life. Mr. Campbell was a Whig in 
politics, but is now a I'rohibitionist. He is 
an esteemed member of the Presbyterian 
church, to which his wife also belonged. He 
has been very successful as a farmer, and his 
estate still prospers under the management of 
his son. 




HRAllAM VAN STIUXHL'RC;, a pros- 
perous farmer of Andes, Delaware 
County, was born in this town 
October 13, 1850. He is an in- 
dustrious man, greatly esteemed, and enjoying 
well-deser\-ed success. In politics he is a Re- 
])ublican. 

His grandfather, William Van Steinburg, 
settled on a farm near New Kingston in 
Middletown, and had a family of six chil- 
dren — George, Jacob, Jane, Barnett, Catherine, 
and Sally. He was a very active man, and a 
thriving agriculturist, but died in middle life. 
George, his eldest son, was educated and grew 
to manhood in his native town. He married 
Antoinette, daughter of Dr. George Stead, 
one of the best physicians of Delaware County, 
who was in practice with Dr. Cohoon, the first 
doctor in the county. Dr. .Stead became 
blind, and after his affliction practised for 
thirty years, his wife visiting his patients 
with him. George and Antoinette Van Stein- 
burg had a family of ten children — Mar)-, 
Aaron, William, John, Abraham, Richard, 
Ella, IClizabeth, Colonel, and Almon. Mr. 
Van Steinburg bought one hundred and thirty 
acres of heavily timbered land, joining the 
Stead farm, on which he built a house and 
barn. He soon sold out, and rented a farm 
on Perch Hill, afterward buying one hundred 
and thirty-seven acres on Parkerboom Creek, 
where he lived for twenty-eight years. With 
his two sons, William and Aaron, he enlisted 
in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth New 
\'ork Infantry in 1862, and .served during the 
war. After his wife's death he sold his farm 
and retired from active work. He is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and has lived a busy life, 
being highly respected by all w-ho know him. 
Abraham, the fourth son, as enumerated 
above, was si.xteen vears of age wlicn he first 



began his farming career. He worked on 
\-arious farms in the vicinity, and later bought 
one hundred and seventy-six acres of uncleared 
land near Harkerboom Creek, on which was a 
log house. He had not intended that for a 
home; but at one time, when he was away on 
business, his wife moved their goods through 
the wilderness to the cabin, and was keeping 
house there on his return. lincouraged to 
continue his undertakings, he bought more 
land, making in all four hundred and seventy- 
nine acres, which he cleared, floating the lum- 
ber down the Delaware Ri\er to Philadelphia. 
Many extensive improvements have been made 
on his farm ; and he now has three large barns, 
a house, milk-house, and a blacksmith's shop 
for his own convenience. He has forty cows 
and as man\' sheep, several men being hired 
to assist him in the work. 

He married Phebe, daughter of William 
Sprague, a successful farmer of Middletown, 
who had a family of six children: Carrie, 
Pllizabeth, and George, who are dead; Phebe, 
who was born April 28, 1850; Aaron, a farmer 
in Ulster County, who married Phebe Dun- 
ning; and Ezra, a carpenter of Ulster Count}-, 
who married Ada Clayton. Mr. and Mrs. 
Van Steinburg have seven children : Mary, 
born January 8, 1869, who married George 
Rosencran.se, and lives in Stamford; George, 
born April 14, 1875; Jessie, born May 21, 
1877; Harvey, born May 26, 1879; Cassie, 
born December 28, 1882; Fannie, born No- 
vember 4, 1883; and Lola, born Mav 24, 
1885. 



B 



AVID B. WOODIN is one of the 
leading contractors and builders of 
Delaware County, and is conspicu- 
ously identified with the building 
interests of the town of Sidney, where he has 
resided since 1893. During the past ten years 
many of the niore important buildings of Sid- 
ney and Walton were erected under his super- 
vision and that of his brother, who was until 
lately in business with him — among them, 
the spacious house of j. II. l-^Us, Dr. Hawley's 
fine residence, that of the late Dr. Alexander 
Montgomery, and the elegant and commodious 
dwelling of Dr. Stone. 



KICKIRAI'IIICAI- RKVIKW 



'■i: 



Ml-. Wciculin is a iiatiwdl I )chiuaiv Cdiintv, 
and was Ixnn in the town ni Amies in iS;-. 
Mis j,n-an(il"atlicr, Ilcmy Woodin, was iioni'in 
I'ntnam County, Conn., in 1798, and, wiuii a 
young man, came to this county, casting; in his 
lot with the early settlers of the town of 
Andes where he took up a tract of tiniljcr land, 
from which in the cour.se of time he cleared a 
farm. His industry and fru-alitv met with 
their natural reward; and he became one of 
the well-to-do ai;riculturists of the town, resid- 
inj;- on the homestead which he had wrested 
from the forest until his death in 1882. lie 
was twice married, choosinj;- for his first wife 
a Miss Hamilton, of Andes. .She bore him 
four sons and three dau,i;hters, of whom three 
sons and two dau,i,diters are now livin,u, lulwin 
Woodin, father of the suhiect of this sketch, 
being the eldest child. .\fler the death of 
the mother of these childivn, llenrv Woodin 
married Catherine Ronev : and she became 
the niothei' ot five clii Idren. foiu' sons and one 
daugiiter, all of whom aiv now lixing, one of 
them, Henry, residing with his mother on the 
old home farm. She is a bright, active 
woman, and has full cliaige of the al'fairs of 
the household. 

Kdwin Woodin, father of David H. . was born 
about se\enty }'ears ago, and in 1855 married 
Jane Miu-phy. wlio after ihirtx-three vears of 
wedded life jxissed to her reward, in l-"ebniarv, 
I<S88, leaving him five sons, as lollows; l)a\id 
15. : William, a cmitractor am! builder, living 
in Walton; Andrew, who is in the emplox- 
nu-nt ot his eldest brother; Sherman, a farmer, 
li\ing in .Andes; and l-ldwin, who is working 
with his brotlu-i- William in Walton. The 
father still resides in the town of .\nde.s. 

D.nid H. Woodin w:is leaied in the town 
ot his birth, and recei\ed ;i fair education in 
its public schools, acquiring a practical knowl- 
edge of his father's business before reaching 
the }-ears of matuiity. After following his 
trade for some time in .\ndes. he t-stablished 
himself in business in Walton, where, in com- 
]KUiy with his brother William, he remained 
for about six years. His health failing, he 
was obliged to gi\"e uj) active work for a while, 
leaving his brother to c;ui\ on the business 
alone, and the latter being still thus engaged. 
Mr. Woodin remo\"ed to .Sidne\' in the summer 1 



ol r89^, and now ciecupies a line resiile ,, 

I'ike -Street, the house bi-iug of his ,,u,i mn 
struclion. He has a large :ind constantly in- 
creasing business, and ranks among the 
loremost citizens of the place. 

Mr. Woodin was married Aj^rili^, 1883, hi 
lamna Shafer,' of Andes, daughter <if \Vash- 
ington and Jane (|-"uller) Shafer, the remain- 
ing children of her parents being as follows ; 
Mary, the wife of II. I). Ma\han, residing in 
Huffalo, .\.\. ; i;ila, who married (ieorge I'.. 
Lawrence, and lives in Creston, la.; Ijiima ; 
and Ada, wife of Iv. T. lio.,se, of lin.oklyn, 
.\ . \ . Her mother passed from this life in 
1884; and Mr. Shafer. now an aged man, lives 
with his daughter, .Mrs. Woodin. The union 
of Mr. antl .Mrs. Woodin has been blessed by 
the advent of one child, lr\ing D. , a bright boy 
of .seven years. Mr. Woiidin takes a warm in- 
terest in ]3ublic aff.iirs, and usuall\ casts his 
vote with the Democratic i)arty, although re- 
serving the right to support the candidate he 
deems best fitted to perform the duties of 
public otifice. 



-|;SSI-. MCRDOCK is a representative 
larmer and dairyman of Masonvillc. 
industrious, progressive, and highly 
respected throughout the town where 
he resitles. His f;ithor, George Murdock, 
emigrated from the eastern part of the State 
of \ew \'ork when quite \(umg. and settled 
in Caroline, T(jnipkins Coinitv, earl\- in this 
century, where he followed his trade of stone- 
mason. He married Ruth Knickerbocker, 
daughter of a pioneer of Roxbury, and a de- 
scendant of the old New York family of that 
name, whose ancestors came from Holland. 
George Murdock and wife were the parents of 
six children, namely: l-jlgar. who married 
Miss Cash, of Sidney, and there spent the 
latter |iart of his life: Harvey: George: Cath- 
erine A., wife of l-'dwin H. Shaw, of .Sheboy- 
gan, Wis.: John J., a farmer in .South H;iin- 
bridge: and Jesse, the subject of this sketch. 
Jesse Mm-dock was born at Caroline. M:irch 
6. 1832, and was eilucated at the district 
schocds of his native town. He began life as 
a farmer, antl was empKned at farm labor in 
\'arious places. About i860 he settled in 



6i.S 



]!IO(;R.\rill(AI, REVIEW 



Masonville on the farm where he now resides 
and carries on a dairy. On July lo, 1864, he 
married a daughter of I>aiah Booth, who was 
a native of Delaware County, where he was 
engaged in farming and 0])erating a dairy. 
Mr. and Mrs. Murdock have three children — 
Delia, George, and Lilian — all of whom 
were educated at Masonville, and live with 
their parents. Mr. Murdock is an ujiright, 
useful, and valued citizen. 



M 



1822. 



AVID ANDERSON, the son of An- 
drew and Sarah (Brotherton) Ander- 
son, was born in Bethel, Sullivan 
County, N.Y., on September 3, 

Mis father came from the north of 



Ireland to New York City, where he found 
employment as a car-man, and where he mar- 
ried Miss Brotherton. After his marriage, 
with a wisdom one wishes many more city 
denizens might emulate, he left the crowded 
city streets, and went to .Sullivan County, 
where he bought a farm of one hundred and 
forty acres. Here, amid the wholesome sur- 
roundings of country life, he and liis wife 
raised a family of ten children, namely: 
Thomas, born November 5, 1804; William, 
February 18, 1806; Andrew, April 29, 1808; 
Eliza, February 18, 18 10; James, October 
29, 1812; Ellen, March -4," 1814; Sarah, 
-April 24, 18 16; Samuel, October 24, 1820; 
David, September 3, 1822; Maria, December 
28, 1824. Samuel is living in Newark, N.J'.; 
and Maria, now a widow, lives in New York 
City. Andrew Anderson was an industrious 
man, whose labors were crowned with success. 
In politics he was a Democrat. He died in 
the prime and vigor of life, at the age of fifty- 
three years. His wife, who died before him, 
was a member of the Presbyterian church. 

David 7\nderson, with whose history this 
sketch has mainly to deal, passed the' years 
of child life and boyhood in the village of his 
birth, where he was educated. His first 
enterprise was one which requires some expe- 
rience as well as good judgment to insure suc- 
cess. This venture was hotel-keeping in the 
old Radiker house in Colchester, now used as 
a private residence. It was built by Jacob 
Railiker, and was the first inn in thi^^ section 



of the country. After three years Mr. Ander- 
son left the village, and moved to the Garri- 
son farm on Campbell Mountain, and stayed 
there for a period of eight years. One year 
was passed at the Elwood farm. Then he 
came to Downsvillc, where he bought prop- 
erty at the lower end of the village, and built 
a hotel, now known as the Anderson House. 
The situation is one of the best in Downs- 
villc, and the house is very popular. Mr. 
Anderson conducts a livery in connection 
with his hotel business, so that his patrons 
may have the benefit of the lovely river drives 
about the country. 

David Anderson's first wife was Miss Eme- 
line Bennet, by whom he had two daughters, 
only one of whom is now living; namely, 
Sarah, who married Mr. A. Tyler, was left a 
widow, antf has since married again. Her 
sister who died was named Eliza. Mr. An- 
derson's second wife, to whom he was married 
on December 13, 1857, was Miss Emily Jane 
Williams, a daughter of Thomas and Laura 
Williams. The father of Mrs. Williams died 
in Oswego. He and his wife raised a family 
of seven children: Emily Jane, now Mrs. 
Anderson; Julia F. ; George K. ; Elizabeth; 
William D. ; Mather; and Ida. 

David Anderson is a man whose ability is 
recognized by all with whom he comes in con- 
tact. Mrs. Anderson is a faithful member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, while he is 
liberal in his religious views. Mr. Anderson 
brought up and educated a nephew of his wife, 
E. T. Smith, who has proved himself a 
worthy recipient of the benefits bestowed upon 
him. He is one of the leading merchants in 
Downsville, and won for his wife a daughter 
of Dr. G. P. Bassett. 



OHN HEDGE was born in the town of 
Bovina, December 17, 1821, antl was 
the son of P'rancis and Susan (Boyd) 
Hedge, both natives of North Ireland. 
P'rancis Hedge was born in 1769, and emi- 
grated to America in 1827, bringing with him 
a family of twelve children, which was aug- 
mented by the addition of two of American 
birth after his arrival in the "land of the 
brave." P'rancis Hedge bouiiht one hundred 




Hdam Gibson. 



I'.h i( ;k \ I'l I ii \ I !• 1 \ I i-.w 



aiul sixty acres of land in lidviiia, wliich he 
cleared, and uixin which he pnl up several 
haihlin^iis. 'I'his was sold at an advance, and 
two hundred acres ol land was purchased near 
Walton. Here he lived until his death in 
1S41. He was a Democrat and a Presby- 
terian. 

John w.is quite \nLini;' when his father 
died; and the care of the farni fell to his lot, 
which cut short his educational pursuits, and 
forceil him to turn his whole eneri;ies toward 
l)ractical farming, lie married Miss Nancy 
Il-aniilton, whose ])arents were natives of 15o- 
vina, though they had moved in later years to 
Delhi, where they raised a fami]\- of seven 
children — Thomas, Nancy, James, Andrew, 
John, I'.lizaheth, and William. Suhsecpient 
to his marriage Air. Hedge moved to Haniden, 
where he bought a farm of one hundred and 
thirt)' acres, which he afterward sold, coming 
to Colchester, and bn\ing from Selh While, 
of Delhi, a tract of one hundred and eightv 
acres, one mile from the river in Terry Cove. 
This estate is in a most desirable situation. 
Its trout streams afford excellent spurt for the 
hsherman, as well as delicious material for 
the housekee|)er's culinar}' art. 

Comfortable buildings, attracti\e scenery, 
and pleasant siu'roundings all combine to 
make this a most charming home for tlie fam- 
ily of children who were reared here: Will- 
iam h'rancis, who ilied \'onng: I.\(lia Jane, 
who also died in childhood; John A., who 
married Miss Isabella l)a\'is, and li\es in 
.Syracuse; Andrew, born May 4. 1S68: h'rank 
I.: and Libbie L. Mr. Hedge owns, besides 
his herd of cows which sup])ly his excellent 
and remunerative dairy, a ilock of thirty sheep 
and some fine horses and oxen. He is a 
stanch Democrat, and is a religious man. 



f^AMI'.S A. GIH.SON. a highlv intelli- 
gent and wealthy farmer of Kortright, 
in the north-eastern part of Delaware 
Count\', was horn on the farm wliere 



he now resitles, August 16, lSji. 



His 



where llie sul)jecl of this sketch now resiihs. 
and heie he live<l ihrougiioMt his life. His 
first piu'chase t'onsisled of sixlv-two acres, to 
which he was able to add from lime to time, 
so that at his death he was liie owner of one 
hundred and n i net \- acres. He and his wifi- 
were I'resiiyterians, and he was a supporter of 
the Republican ])arty. .Adam Ciibson died 
January 21, 1890, at the age of se\enty-seven ; 
l)ut his wife is still living on the old home- 
stead, riiey w.re the parents of six ihildren, 
four of whom are now living: .Mary Ann 
McLaury, of Binghamton; Miss Isabelle (iib- 
son, residing with iier mother; Charles, also in 
Uinghamton; and James A., of Kortright. 

James A. (libson, the youngest child of his 
p:irents, grew u]) on his father's farm, attend- 
ing the district school, the graded school at 
Hinghamton, and the .Stamford .Seminary. 
After receiving his education, he devoted his 
lime to farming, residing on the home farm, 
and caring for his parents in tlie evening of 
their li\es. He is the owner of twenty head 
of native cattle, and mak>-s a good cpialit)' of 
butter for market, b. ing eminently successful 
in his chosen occu]>ation. Mr. Gibson is a 
bachelor of pleasant dis])osition and cultivatetl 
tastes, being extremely fonil of reading, and 
owning a very gi^od library. He is a Re|)ub- 
lican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and also of the Delaware Lodge. .\o. 
612, Inde[)endent Order of Odd h'ellows. and 
is reg;irded with much esteem by all who are 
fortunate enough to ])Ossess his friendship or 
enjoy his acquaintance. 

A ]ioi-trait of his father, the late .\dam (jib- 
son. ma\' be found on another page of this 
vtdimie. 



father, Adam Gibson, of Ireland, married 
D<nM Whigham. of the same country, and came 
with her to .\merica in 1S34, settling in 
Kortright. In 1837 he pin-chased the farm 



I^"X.\\1D R0T1I1:NSII-:.S, who is carry- 

I; 1 ing on a lucrative business in Wal- 

I^Sy ton as a manufacturer and wholesale 
dealer in cigars, has resiiled in that 
village since 1891. Many of the most enter- 
prising ami successful businessmen of Dela- 
ware Comity are of foreign birth, and Mr. 
Rothensies is :in excellent representative of 
this class of citi/.ens, having been born in 
Hesse- Darmstadt. Germany, in 1838. His 
father, I evi Rotliensies, was an extensive 



62 2 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



farmer, and dealer in stock. His wife was, 
by maiden name, Anna HUimcnthal ; and she 
bore her husband five children, three sons 
and two daughters. Both of the daughters 
married in their native country, and both died 
while in the prime of womanhood. The three I 
sons, of whom David is the eldest, are all Hy- 
ing. Joseph, the youngest, is a merchant in 
Walton. Aaron, the second son, remained in 
his native country. The parents are no 
longer living, the father having died at the 
advanced age of eighty-three, in 1886, and the 
mother, who survived him, dying at the age of 
fourscore years. 

David Rothensies received a substantial 
education in his native country, and began to 
learn the butcher's trade at the age of seven- 
teen. In 1855 he emigrated to the United 
States, taking passage in a sailing-vessel, at 
Havre de Grace, France, the voyage lasting 
forty-one days. He found employment at his 
trade in New York, but remained there only 
six weeks. Coming to Delaware County, he 
settled in the town of Meredith, and began 
his mercantile career by peddling, on foot, 
dry goods and notions. Being very successful 
in his ventures, he bought a horse and wagon, 
and enlarged the scope of his trade. His 
business continued to grow; and his one-horse 
wagon was in due time superseded by a cov- 
ered vehicle drawn by a pair of superb horses, 
his turnout being -well known throughout this 
part of the State. Mr. Rothensies continued 
his commercial travels for about eight years, 
and in 1864 opened a dry and fancy goods 
store in Downsvillc, subsequently adding 
cigars to his original stock. In 1875 he sold 
out his stock of merchandise, and turned his 
entire attention to the manufacture and sale 
of cigars, being thus engaged for several 
years. Deciding to leave the rural village of 
Downsvillc, Mr. Rothensies went to Middle- 
town, Orange County, N.Y., conducting a 
prosperous business there for two years. At 
the end of that time, his health being im- 
paired, by the advice of his physician he 
sought a place of higher altitude in which 
to settle, and removed his business to Walton 
in 1891. Since then he has been closely 
identified with the manufacturing and mer- 
cantile interests of the village. 



October 18, 1881, Mr. Rothensies married 
Miss Ida Russell, daughter of William Rus- 
sell, of Hamden. Their wedded life has been 
gladdened by the birth of two children — Leo 
and Charles — both bright boys, their respec- 
tive ages being eight and three years. 



ACOB BIELER, a worthy citizen and 
prosperous wagon-maker at Grififin's 
Corners, in Middletown, Delaware 
County, was born in the Duchy of 
Baden, Germany, on December 15, 1838, and 
was a son of Christian Bieler, who was a 
farmer, and lived to the age of threescore 
years and ten. His wife died when sixty-five. 
They left four children — George, Chisholm, 
Lena, and Jacob Bieler. 

Jacob Bieler was educated in Germany, and 
came to this country when sixteen years of 
age. He crossed the ocean in a sailing- 
vessel, and landed at New York after a pas- 
sage of twenty-eight days. He first came to 
Margarettville, remained three years, and 
learned the trade ot wagon-making. Thence 
he went to Franklin, in this county, where he 
made a stay of one year, and went from there 
to Western New York, and spent some time. 
Returning to Delaware County, he sojourned 
awhile in Delhi, and then went again to 
Margarettville. In i860 he established him- 
self in trade at Griffin's Corners, but at the 
end of a year was burned out. After this mis- 
fortune he built another shop near the bridge, 
which, however, he soon sold, and bought a 
house and lot of land. Here he erected the 
two shops now standing, where for twenty 
years he has carried on a large business. 

In 1862 he married Essenth Engle, who 
was born in the town of Halcott, Greene 
County. She was the daughter of Frederick 
and Ella (Garrison) Engle, and grand-daugh- 
ter of John Engle, who w-as born in Germany, 
but came to this country and became a .soldier 
in the Revolutionary War. After the war 
was over, he went to Lexington, Greene 
County, where he was one of the pioneer set- 
tlers. He lived to the very remarkable age of 
one hundred and seven years, and, dying, left 
four .sons — Jacob, Christopher, Frederick, 
and Peter Engle — and one daughter. Fred- 



BIOGRAPHICAL KKVIKW 



'■'-'.? 



crick Eny,lc, Mrs. Hiclcr"s fatlicr, was lioni in 
Lexington, Greene County, and at the age ol' 
twenty-one entered mercantile life in llalcotl. 
After a time he sold his store, and Ixiught a 
farm and another store near hv, wheri' he was 
in business until 1845. Then he sold out, 
and came to Griffin's Corners, where he again 
established himself as a merchant. Here lie 
I'cmained until his death, which took ])lace 
when he was about si.xtx-fui' \ears of age. 
His wife, i\Irs. Jacob l^ieler's mother, is still 
living, at the age of eighty-one, with her son 
Arland, in Laplata, .Mo. They had seven 
children, five of whom are living, and are: 
Martha Engle, who married (ieorge Xesbut. 
and lives in Minnesota: E. I-". Engle, a tin- 
smith; Arland ICngle, whose home is in La- 
plata; l-^ssenth ICngle, the wife of Mr. Hieler; 
and Aaron luigle. 

Some years ago Mr. Hieler built a fine, sj^a- 
cious house, which is now surrounded bv 
delightful groimds and shaded bv beautiful 
trees. In summer it is thrown hosjjitablv 
open to })eople who are seeking a [ileasant 
retreat for the heated term. Hiis roomy man- 
sion accommodates from twent\-fi\-e to thirtv 
guests, and is nsualh' filled with cit\' people. 
who are rendered most comfortable by the 
efforts of their kind host and hostess, lieing 
much more at bom.- than they could be ;it the 
large hotels. 'Mv. and Mrs. Hieler have had 
two daughters: ^Hnnie Hieler, whom thev lost 
when a fair girl of seventeen \ears ; and Mag- 
gie Hieler, who still gladdens their home with 
her presence. Mr. Hieler is li Democrat in 
politics, and in religious opinions a Presbyte- 
rian, belonging to the church at ^L^rgarett- 
ville. He is a complete master of the art of 
wagon-making, is a genial host, and i^ 1 
worthy and highh' respected gentlemai;. 



f\X Hl'Ri:X THO^L\S. a well-known 
farmer anti lumberman of Hancock, 
N.\'., was l)orn in tliis town on May 
20, 1 85 1. Llis paternal grandfather. Daniel 
-Thomas, t-anie originalh' from \'ermont, being- 
one of the pioneer settlers of this jjart of 
Delaware County. He married .\bigail 
Hrown, who was a descendant from the old 
Puritan stock of New pjigland. In the early 



da\s ot llu- ceiilurs' she and her lainih' werr 
clothed in homes|)un, the materi:il for which 
was carded, spun, and woven bv her own 
hands. Daniel Thomas. Jr., son of Danirl 
and Abigail (Hrown) Thomas, and falh< r o| 
the subjict of this sketch, attended the di- 
tricl school at H.iniotk in his boyhood, and 
lollowed the occupations of farming rui I lum- 
bering throughout his active life. lb- niaj - 
ried in .Se]nember. 1N4.). Sarali l.akiii. of 
Hancock, by whom he had li\c children, tliree 
ol whom are now li\-ing. namel\ : Mar\', born 
Jul}' ?. 1 847 ; John, bmn Januars' 14. 1849: 
and Van Huren. Daniel Thomas. Jr.. was a 
]")rominent man in town afLiirs, and in |jolitics 
he was a Democrat. 

\'an 15uren Thomas was educated in his 
native town, and has spent his life in lumber- 
ing and in canying on the farm connected 
with the idd homestead. On April 26. i,S<ji, 
he was united in marriage to Catherine Mc- 
Kenna, daughter of Xelsun McKenna. This 
union has been blessed In- one child, who was 
l)orn March 25. 1894. ^Ir. Thomas has held 
various offices in the town, serving with much 
abilitv. and enjoying the confnlence and es- 
teem of his fellow-citizen>. 




i:ORGE T. HROWX. .M.D., a native 
of Warren. Litchfield County, Conn., 
may be consitlered ])eculiarly quali- 
fied ftu' the profession of metlicine. in view of 
the fact that he has h.id a more than ordinary 
experience since his early boyhood with the 
[Mactical application of medical anil surgical 
knowledge. 

Dr. Hrown's |)aternal grandfather was a sea- 
caiJtain, who lived to be \'ery old, ;ind siieiit 
ihe last tlays of his life in I.itchtield. The 
grandmother was noted for her extraortlinai}' 
|)hvsL-al strength, being able in her youth to 
lift with ease barrels of cider or sugar, and 
[jcrforming various remarkable feats of nv'-' ^ 
lar power. ]>oth of the grand|)ai"ents li\< 
be very ohl. Captain Hrown completing tlie 
ninetieth year of his life in Litchfield. 'The 
grandparents of Dr. P>rown on the maternal 
siile were Cieorge and Marv I'omerov Tal- 
madge, the grandfather, who was one of the 
most prominent lawyers in Litchfield, belong- 



624 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



ing to the old and well-known family of Tal- I 
madge. George Talmadge was one of the 
Democratic party, and died in the sixty-sixth I 
year of his age, having survived his wife for 
some years. 

Orlando Brown, son of Captain Brown, and 
the father of George T. Brown, was born in 
Mystic, Conn., and\vas graduated from Yale 
College in 185 1. He began to practise medi- 
cine tn Boston; but, when the Civil War 
broke out, he went as a surgeon in the Eigh- 
teenth Regiment, and was afterward appointed 
Medical Director in the Army of the Potomac. 
He served also in the State of Virginia under 
General Howard. After the war he returned 
to Connecticut, where he is now living in 
Litchfield. He has a high reputation for sci- 
entific knowledge and skill, and holds the 
honored position of President of the State 
Medical Society. Dr. Orlando Brown has a 
hospital in Washington, Litchfield County, 
Conn., in which he takes an absorbing inter- 
est. He has been a widower for thirty-eight 
years. From his youth he has been a very 
active politician, and has done much for the 
Republican party in his section. He married 
Miss Fanny Talmadge, and is tlie father of 
four children F;ninv. Mary, Chester, and 
George T. 

Dr. George 1 . l>ro\\n lias had a peculiar, 
not to say unique, experience in his medical 
career, having accompanied his father to the 
army when but a la;l of thirteen years, and 
remained with him throughout the four years 
of blood and carnage. It was amid the dead 
and dying of many battlefields that the nerve, 
the ski if, the calm strength, and cool judg- 
ment which so characterize the physician 
whose memoir is now presented to the public 
were fostered and developed. In 187S he re- 
ceived his degree from the Medical College 
of the I' ni versify of New York, and was sur- 
geon in the United States service for some 
vears. Then he practised in Fernandina, 
Fla., for two years, after which period he 
spent some time in European travel, returning 
to America, and establishing himself for three 
years in Ulster County. 

Dr. Brown finally came to Margarettville, 
uhtre he now holds the position of Health 
Officer. He married Miss Amelia Perry, a 



daughter of George and Mary Perry. The 
wife's father was a dealer in stone in the town 
of Newburg. In political convictions Dr. 
Brown follows the line of heredity, and is, 
like his father, a Republican. He has been 
eminently successful in his professional career 
in Margarettville, and has won the esteem and 
respect of all who have the pleasure of his 
acquaintance, or have come to him for treat- 
ment. 



ACOB M. H. CORNISH is well known 
in Walton and the vicinity as a painter 
and decorator, and dealer in wall- 
paper, shades, paints, oils, and other 
art materials. His paternal grandfather was 
Jacob Cornish, a contractor and builder, who 
died at Pine Hill, Ulster County, N.Y., in 
1852, at the age of sixty-one, his wife Susan 
passing away some years before in New York 
City, leaving a family of six sons, whom we 
briefly enumerate: William, who emigrated to 
California: John, who settled in Colorado; 
Benjamin, now deceased; Joseph C, the 
father of the subject of this sketch; Abram, a 
resident of New York; and Alexander, a con- 
tractor and builder of Menlo Park, N.J. 

Joseph C. Cornish was born in New York 
City in 1829, and in early manhood was 
united in marriage to Miss Margaret Hos- 
brook, of Kingston, N.Y., daughter of Jacob 
J. and Katherine (Knickerbocker) Hosbrook, 
of Stone Ridge, N.Y. Four children were 
born to them, namely: James M.; Matthew 
B.; Francis A.; and Jacob M. H., whose 
name is found at the head of this sketch. 
Joseph C. Cornish, the father, is now retired 
from active business. 

Jacob M. H. Cornish was born at Pine 
Hill, Ulster County, N.Y., in 1857, and, 
after receiving a common-school education, 
acquired a knowledge of the painting and 
decorating business with his father, commenc- 
ing when but fourteen years of age, and re- 
ceiving instruction in drawing from competent 
teachers. In connection with this business 
his father and he carried on successfully the 
family trade of building and contracting, 
building many churches in Delaware County 
and the vicinity, among them the Methodist 



l'.10(-,K.\I'|||(AI, RKVII'-.W 



Episcopal cliurcli at Walton. Juik' i, i.SSi. 
Mr. Cornish was marricil to Miss Coia i;. 
Wol)b, thuightL-r of H. A. anil I'.iiiilv i;. 
Webb, of Walton. A sistor of .Mrs. ("ornish, 
Mis.s Lclia W'chh, is an artist of ahilit\', and 
has cla.sscs in Walton and .Sidney. 

Mr. and ^[rs. Cornish occupy a pleasant 
homo in Walton, where they attend the I*".[)isco- 
pal cliurch. and are [ironiinent in social affairs. 




G. EDCl-RTOX, Ca.shier of the 
JS\ ]3cla\vare National Rank of Delhi, 
is a representative of one of the 
oldest, most enter])risin<;", and most noted 
families of Delhi, his Ljreat-graMdfather, 
Ciiierdon ICdgerton, and his .!;raiulfathcr. 
Henry Edgerton, having l)ecn prominent 
among the influential citizens of the earl\' 
part of the present century. They built the 
Edgerton Mouse, and were among the leading 
spirits in founding the Delaware 15ank up- 
ward of fifty years ago, it having ojjened its 
doors for business A]iril 4, 1839. It was 
organized with H. I). (lould as President. M. 
-Shaw as Cashier; and among its Directors 
were li. D. Gould, Sanniel Gordon, X. K. 
Wheeler, and Charles Marvin. In 1S63. 
when the national bank law came in vogue, 
it became a national bank, and is now, with 
its cajiital of one hundred thousand dollars 
and its excellent business system, the oldest 
and strongest bank in Delaware County. 

Mr. Edgerton is a Delhi boy, his birth hav- 
ing occurred here, June 29, 1S58. lie is the 
only son born of the union of Thomas and 
Elizabeth (Griswold) ICdgerton, formerly hon- 
ored residents of this connnunity. .Soon after' 
his birth his parents removed to .Alleganw 
Cattaraugus Comity, where they lived until the 
death of Mr. Edgerton. The widowed mother 
and her son, a lad of nine years, then returned 
to Delhi. Mrs. Edgerton subsequently be- 
came the wife of Judge J. S. Ilawes, and now 
resides in Kalamazoo, Mich. 

W. G. ICdgerton im])roved every opportu- 
nity afforded him for gaining an education, 
anil, after leaving the district school, entered 
the Delaware Academy, where he obtained a 
thorough knowU'dge of l)ook-kee])ing in con- 
nection with the academic course. At the 



age of titleeil years he began to jiaddlc his 
own canoe. iking capable, energetic, anil 
willing, he secured a posiljun in the Delaware 
National Bank as Ixiok-keiper, ;ind after a 
taithfnl service of thirteen ^■ears was in- 
stalled as t'ashier in iSSTj, succeeding Wallei 
{iriswid<l, and being the fifth cashier iin- 
ployed in the bank. This position Mr. lid- 
gerton is filling with credit and ni. irked 
business ability, and is justly esteern.-d as a 
young man of sterling integritv and hi,L;li 
moral |)rinciples. 

.Mr. Edgerton married Miss Carrie .\. M. 
.Smith, the daughter of i'rofessor .S. ('. .Smith, 
lormerly I'rineipal ot the Delaware .Academv, 
but now the well-known editor of the Dela- 
ware C<i:::i//i-. Both he' and his estimable wife 
are active members of the social cir-Lde> of 
their comuumity: and their home is an attrac- 
tive ])lace for a host of friends. In jiolitics 
Mr. Edgerton is a strong Democrat. lie is a 
mendier arid present Master of the Delhi 
Eodge. No. 4^9. A. !•". & .\. M., and High- 
priest of Delhi Chapter, No. 249, and also 
belongs to the Xi>rwich Commandery. 



'oLTRIC W. rRA\TS, a well-known 
resident and business man of De- 
posit, Delaware County, is a na- 
'^ tive of Pennsylvania, having been 

born in that .State o])])nsite the \-illage of Han- 
cock. Xovember 24, 1826. His grandfather, 
Thomas Travis, came from ()range Count}' to 
the Delaware X'allev by wav of Port Jervis, 
from which place he paddled to this point in 
a canoe. The land ])ro\etl to contain an Ind- 
ian orchanl and hnrying-ground, many skele- 
tons and relics having been since discovered 
on the Travis farm. 

'Thomas 'Travis engaged extensively in lum- 
bering, and purchased over nine hundred acres 
of land, upon whicii he cleared three large 
farms, giving one to each of his two sons 
when thev siiccessi\elv reached their majoritv. 
He and his wife were active members of the 
Baptist church. 'Thomas 'Tia\is built the first 
grist-mill on Scheawkin Creek, and was a 
]irogressive man fi^r his lime. He w.is an 
active patriot during the Kevoluti.in. although 
not attached to any regiment; and in after 




626 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



years he often referred to those stirring times, 
designating his neighbors as "Whig" or 
"Tory,"' according to the cause which they es- 
poused in 1775. The wife of Thomas Travis 
was Rachel Jones, of Hancock; and she be- 
came the mother of nine chikhvn — Benja- 
min, Gilbert, Thomas, Harrison, Solomon, 
Rachel, Dorcas, Sarah, and Clarissa. The 
father of this family was stricken with fever, 
and died at his home, aged sixty years. 

His son, Gilbert W., the father of Squire 
\V. Travis, was born in Buckingham, Pa., 
January lO, 1802. He received a district 
schooling, after which he assisted his father 
in lumbering, farming, and in building the 
famous grist-mill. He then purchased at 
Hale's Eddy a farm, where he established a 
home which is still occupied by one of his 
descendants. He was a member of the Bap- 
tist church and a rigid Democrat, dying at his 
home in Broome County at the age of ninety- 
three. His wife was Catherine Whitaker, 
daughter of John Whitaker, of Broome 
County, and Catherine (Weaver) Whitaker, of 
Wyoming. Catherine Weaver was a child in 
arms at the time of the Wyoming massacre; 
and her parents were among those who fled 
with their families into the trackless forest on 
the approach of the Indians and Tories, of 
whose coming they had disbelieved the warn- 
ing. Tying up the dog that he should not 
betray them, with the younger children 
strapped to their backs, they fled to the Dela- 
ware Valley, and, arriving at the river, 
begged food and shelter of the first white man 
whom they met. His answer was to turn 
them from his door, with the remark that they 
should have been killed for daring to oppose 
the king. Weary and footsore, they struggled 
on up the river until they reached the house 
of the brother of the man who had treated 
them so cruelly. He proved to be a good pa- 
triot, and gave them assistance, helping them 
to reach their destination near what is now 
Deposit. The subject of this sketch has in 
his i)ossession a piece of homespun cloth 
woven by his grandmother, and used by her to 
fasten her baby boy to her back in the flight 
from Wyoming — an ever-present reminder of 
the hardships undergone liy his ancestors in 
those hostile times. 



Squire W. Travis received his education in 
the district school and the Deposit Academy, 
and then started in the lumber business for 
himself, taking his first raft to Philadelphia 
without starting a log; and for forty years he 
was a pilot on the river. On November 11, 
1856, he married Eliza J. Surine, daughter of 
Alanson and Jane (McLean) Surine. Peter 
Surine, the father of Alanson, was a native of 
Dutchess County, a son of a French Huguenot 
emigrant, who lived to be over a hundred 
years old. Peter was born in Putnam County, 
whence he removed to Guilford, being one of 
the first settlers in that section. He later re- 
moved to a farm about one and one-half miles 
from the town of Walton ; and there engaged 
in agricultural pursuits. In his declining 
years he purchased land in Michigan, where 
he died at the age of ninety years. His wife 
was an English lady, who died in Walton at 
the home of her son, John Surine, aged 
ninety-four years. Alanson Surine, father of 
Mrs. Travis, was educated in the town of 
Walton, and worked in the foundry. He pur- 
chased land in Hamden, and there married 
Jane McLean, daughter of John McLean, a 
Revolutionary soldier who came to this coun- 
try before the war, and enlisted in the Colo- 
nial cause. John McLean settled in Albany, 
where he lived when that town was burned, 
his family being obliged to quickly pack what 
they could of their possessions and flee for 
safety, beholding their house in flames before 
they lo.st sight of it. After peace was de- 
clared, John McLean settled in Walton, 
where he was engaged in farming until his 
death. He was a strict Scotch Presbyterian, 
and in politics a Democrat. 

Mr. and Mrs. Squire W. Travis have two 
children — William H. and Jennie. William 
married Miss Kate Clapper, of Deposit, who 
is the mother of four children — Florence J., 
Squire Vernon, William C, and Edna May. 
Jennie Travis is a school-teacher employed in 
District School No. i, and lives at home with 
her parents. Mr. Travis is at the present 
time extensively engaged in quarrying and 
shipping stone, in which business he is emi- 
nently successful. He is an enterprising 
and upright man, and is held in deserved 
respect. 



rUOGRAl'HlCAL REVIKW 



(■■- 



III'MIC ("iRAXl" carries an cxtiii- 
sivo stock of staple and I'ancv j^ro- 



|b\' ccnos m Ins lai\i;c store in the 
village of Hohait, and in aiUlition 
thereto has an extended trade in bntter. Mr. 
Grant is a representative of an excellent 
Scotch family, ant! is a native of Delaware 
County, born in Ilarpersficld, February i, 
1852. He is a son of James A. and Margaret 
(Hume) Grant, the former a native of Stam- 
ford, and the latter of Kortriyht. 

His grandfather, Duncan J. Grant, who was 
born in Scotland, came to this countrv when a 
young man, and settled in the town of Har- 
pcrsfield, where he was a thriving fanner. 
He was well educated, and was one of the 
most prominent and influential citizens of his 
day, serving one term as Sheriff of the county. 
In his religious views he was liberal, and in 
politics a stanch Democrat. He lived to be 
well advanced in years, surviving his wife. 
]\lar\' Cowan, who died ere reaching the 
meridian of life. Of the six children Imrn to 
them none are now living. 

James A. (Irant s|)ent his life within the 
limits of Delaware Count}', anti, when a young- 
man, began a mercantile career, entering the 
employment of one Mr. Cowan as a clerk, in 
Hrushhmd. After continuing in that capacity 
for some time, he opened a store for general 
merchandise in llohart, which he condnctctl 
with success for fifteen or sixteen years, till 
his early death at thirty-seven \ears of age. in 
December, 1863. He took great interest in 
the affairs of the town and count\', was an 
active politician in the I^emocratic party, and 
served as Sujiervisor of Stamford. He was 
liberal in his ndigious views: while his 
w'idow. who now makes iier home with the 
only child born of their union, R. Hume 
Grant, is an earnest and worthy member of 
the Presbyterian church. 

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood 
in the town of Stamford, and, after leaving 
the district school, attended Wellington Semi- 
nary, from which he entered Oberlin College, 
in Oberlin, Ohio, being graduated from that 
institution in 1874. .After some time spent 
in travel Mr. Grant was admitted to the Illi- 
nois bar, in the city of Ottawa, in 1876. I'or 
six years he practisetl his profession in Chi- 



cago, and wa> aKo fdr a lime engaged a> a 
teacher in the private seminary conducted b\ 
the Misses V.. and H. (ir.mt of that citv. Re- 
turning to llobart in iSSi. he was electe.l 
.School Commissioner of Delaware Counts', 
an i>tTice in which he did faithful service for 
three years. .A portion c,f that lime he like- 
wise spent in teaching. In iS.Sf .Mr. (irant 
established his present mercantile biisine>s, 
which has jiroved very luciative, and which he 
enlarges from year to vcar. 

Mr. Grant and Miss Ida McN'aught were 
united in marriage November 24. rSSS. Mrs. 
Grant's mother, Mrs. Sarah ( Harrett ) Me- 
Xaught, widow of the late William Mc- 
Naught, now lives with her. The Grant 
househokl has been enlarged and enlivened bv 
the birth of four children: namely, Hessie 
liell, Malcom Kenneth, Dor.ald Hume, and 
Wallace Raymond. Politically, Mr. R. 
Hume (irant is a straightforward Republican. 
He is a man of broad cultm-e and gooii mental 
attainments, and is held in high regard 
throughout the commimit\'. He has served as 
Supervisor of Stamford tliree terms, dmin:; 
the years 1 886-88. He is inde])endent and 
liberal in religious matters, :ind Mrs. C.r.iut 
is a valued member of the Presb\terian 
church. 



7^1I.\R1.1-:S 11I:RRI\G, the popular 
I \f station agent for the New \'ork, On- 

V ^ ^ . tario & Western Railroad, at Wal- 
ton, is well fitted for the important 
position he occupies, being a thorough and 
tnistworth}- business man. He is a native <>f 
Delaware Count}', his birth having occurred 
January 10, 1849, in the town of Delhi. His 
paternal grandparents were residents of ScIm- 
harie County; and his father, Joseph Herring, 
was born in that county in 1S17. and, after 
arriving at years of maturity, was united in 
marriage to Sophia Chase, a native of Ham- 
den. She was a daughter of Harrv P. and 
Olive (Roberts) Chase, the former of wh<.ni 
died at the age of forty-two \'ears: anil \\\v 
latter, who survived her husband, lived a 
widow until her death in 1S61, at the age of 
sixty three }'ears. A son, Isaac Chase, died 
soon after his mother, at the age of thirtv-si\. 



628 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



The surviving children are: Charles VV., a 
farmer residing in Haniden ; and Barbara, the 
eldest, who is the wife of P. B. Pettis, of 
DeLancey, and has recently celebrated her 
seventy-second birthday. Joseph Herring 
died in 1862; and his widow subsequently 
married Merman Launt, who died March 22, 
1887, aged seventy-one years, leaving two 
daughters by a former wife: Florence P. 
Launt, residing in Sidney; and Adelaide, a 
teacher in the Walton Academy. 

Charles Herring was the only child born to 
his parents. He received the foundation for 
his education in the district schools, and was 
afterward a student in the Walton Academy, 
where he continued his studies until nineteen 
years of age. Having an inclination for me- 
chanical pursuits, he began to learn the trade 
of carriage trimmer in the shop of Eels & 
Morris, of Walton, but later abandoned the 
idea of becoming a carriage trimmer, and en- 
tered the employment of Mead, North & Co., 
as clerk in their extensive hardware and gro- 
cery store. Mr. Herring afterward formed a 
partnership with Mr. Beers, and for some 
time they carried on a meat business under 
the firm name of Beers & Herring. Giving 
up his meat market, he next secured a position 
as baggage-master for the New York, Ontario 
& Western Railroad, and in 1876 was ap- 
pointed station agent, a responsible position, 
which he has ably filled to the present time. 

An important step in the life of Mr. Her- 
ring was his marriage with Miss Sarah Far- 
relf, of Hobart. Mrs. Herring's father died 
in early life; but her widowed mother sur- 
vived until 1893, when she passed away, at 
the advanced age of seventy-five, leaving three 
children, namely: Helen, widow of Clark 
Newcome, of Hobart; Sarah, now Mrs. Her- 
ring; and Michael, who resides in Hobart. 
The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Herring 
has been increased and greatly enlivened by 
the advent of three sons and two daughters, 
enumerated as follows: James, a young man 
of twenty-two years, who is fitting himself for 
a civil engineer, this being his second year in 
Union College; Herman, twenty-one years 
old, also in Union College; Jennie B., fif- 
teen, who is giving her attention to the study 
of music, for which she has marked talent; 



Sophia, a little girl of eight; and Charles, a 
bright little fellow, six years of age. Mr. 
Herring believes in the Democratic party, 
and has served satisfactorily as School Tru.stee 
and Village Trustee. Socially, he is a Chap- 
ter Mason of Walton Lodge, No. 257. 



(bfTiTo 



IIOMAS A. HILSON holds an honored 
jl position among the practical and pro- 
-'- gressive farmers of the town of Bovina. 
He was born in New York City on January 
25, 1837, being the only son of William and 
Elizabeth (Strangeway) Hilson, both of whom 
were natives of Berkshire, Scotland. (For 
further family history see sketch of John Hil- 
son, an uncle of the subject of this sketch.) 

William Hilson lived in his native country 
until after his marriage. Emigrating to the 
United States, he landed in New York, 
and remained in that city several years, work- 
ing at his trades as a stone-mason, brick- 
mason, and plasterer. Subsequently removing 
to Delaware County, he bought a farm of one 
hundred and five acres, on which the improve- 
ments were of small value. He worked hard 
both at his trade and at his agricultural 
labors, much of his mechanical work still 
remaining. His death occurred when he was 
but forty-five years old. His wife lived but a 
.short time afterward, passing to the brighter 
shore at the age of forty-six years. Both were 
members of the Presbyterian church, and in 
politics he was a Whig. They were the par- 
ents of four children, namely: three daugh- 
ters, now deceased; and the son Thomas. 
Elizabeth Hilson, the wife of Alexander Hoy, 
died at the age of fifty-seven years. Mar- 
garet, the wife of David Sloan, died when 
thirty-three years of age. Helen Hilson died 
when an infant. 

Thomas A. Hilson was a young lad when 
he came with his parents to this town, and 
here he was reared and educated. After the 
death of his parents he took charge of the old 
homestead, which he has since occupied, and 
which he now owns. Of his one hundred and 
five acres twenty acres are in timber, and the 
remainder in tillage or grazing land. His 
residence is commodious and convenient, and 
the barn and out-buildings substantial struct- 



IHOGRAi'llKAL KKVIKW 



fiT) 



urcs. A Ixautiful view ot' tiic valley huli>w 
ami the siirroiindin-- country c:\u he nhtaiiicil 
from his house, makiiiL;- the jilace one of the 
most attractive spots in Delaware County. 
In addition to general fannini;, Mr. ililson 
has a fine dairy of twenty milcii e(nvs, mostly 
Jersey grades, which in i S<):; yielded him aii 
average of two himdred and ninetv [)ounds of 
butter per head. 

Mr. Hilson has been twice married. In 
1 86 1 he was united to Helen Graham, who 
died in 1866, leaving him with two children. 
On March 28, 1868. he married Jeanette O. 
Stott, a native of Bovina. and a daughter of 
George and Ellen (Storie) .Stott. Mr. .Stott 
was a native of Scotland, who was for many 
years engaged in farnung pursuits in Bovina', 
where he died at the age of seventy-six years. 
His wife, who lived to the good old age of 
eighty-six years, was a life-long resident of 
Bovina. Both were wortliy members of the 
Presbyterian church. Of tlie large family of 
children born to them six lived to maturity, 
and four are now living, namelv: George, a 
farmer in the town of Andes: Walter O., a 
truck gardener in Colorado; Jane, a resident 
of Bovina Centre; and .Mrs. Hilson. 

Mr. Hilson has four children living, as fol- 
lows: Mary S., the wife of David Finkle, of 
Bovina Centre; Jennie; Nellie J.; and Bessie 
M. I5oth he and his wife are members of the 
Presbyterian church, and are greatlv respected 
among their neighbors and associates. In 
politics he is a strong adherent of the Repub- 
lican party and a man of intbience in local 
afifairs. He has served with fiilelity as Asses- 
sor for the past seven vears. 




[eJ-^^AMCKL EGGLI-ISTO.V. a prosper- 
//^ ous farmer of Tompkins, X.Y., was 
^ — ' born in this town, December 27, 
183S. His grandfather, Samuel 
Eggleston, was a native of Saratoga County, 
where James, the father of the subject of this 
sketch, was born. In 1828 they removed to 
Tompkins from Corintii. the journey being- 
made overland in ox teams; and there they 
erected a log cabin. The father worked for a 
time in a saw-mill, and also at his trade as a 
mechanic, in connection with farmins;. He 



married Ruth Conk, 0/ Tompkins, and db-d in 
i.S.t4, upward of seventy-ei-ht years of age, 
having been father of 'ten children, all'^nf 
whom grew to maturitv. 

James J^ggleston was a fam./us hunter, and 
had many exciting adventures with widves an<l 
panthers, more than once narrowlv escaping 
with his life. He died in 1864, at the age n( 
seventy-four years. \l\> grave is in the fam- 
ily buri.il-ground on the homestead farm. 
His wife, .Ann Gifford, daughter of Joseph 
Gilford, a farmer of .Sarato-a County, died 
September 2. 1S86, and is buried beside her 
husband. They had the following children: 
Nancy, who married Theodore Sisson, a 
farmer of Pennsylvania; Clarissa, who mar- 
ried David Scott, a farmer of 'Tompkin>: 
Rachel, the wife of Isaac .Scott, of the same 
town; Susan, who married Jacob Gordenies, a 
farmer in Tomjikins; Betsy A., wife of Henrv 
M. Smith, a meclianic and farmer of .Mace. 
Mith.; Simon C. a farmer, who married 
Alice Russell, of Tompkins, and died there 
in 1892; James, who married .Mary Avery, 
and has since passed away: and Samuel. 

-Samuel Eggleston's boylnKJtl was passed on 
the old farm in Tom])kins. wiiere he attendeil 
the district school. H is father being an in- 
valid for twelve years, the care of the farm 
fell upon young Samuel when he was but 
fifteen years of age. December 31. 1859. he 
married Olive Miner, daughter of Abram and 
Keziah ((icdden) Miner, of Dravton, Catta- 
raugus County, wiiere Mr. Miner was engaged 
in carpentering and farming. .Mrs. I-!ggies- 
ton was left an orphan when verv young, and 
was educated' at Walton. She and her hus- 
band have had three children: Albert I., born 
April .^o, 1S61, who died January 6, 1.S88: 
Curtis S., born November 27, 1S65: and Mel- 
vin .•\.. born No\ember 25. 1S70. 

Albert J. Eggleston married Estelia Coll- 
ier, of Tom])kins: and they were the parents 
of two children — Hattie B. and Maggie M. 
Curtis .S., a carpenter of Binghamton. married 
Kate .M. Shaw, of that city. Melvin .A., wli . 
assists his father on tlie home farm, married 
lunma A. Webster, daughter of Hiram B. 
Webster, of Tompkins. Mr. .Samuel Eggles- 
ton is a successful farmer and a highlv re- 
spected citizen of the town where he resides. 



630 



RIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



and to promote the welfare of which he is 
ever reach- to lend a helping haml. 



TTAIIARLES DOYLE, a representative 
I \J farmer of the town of Hancock, N.Y., 
\%^^ was born in this town September 6, 
^ 1828, and died on April 16, 1871. 
The Doyle family is well known in the pio- 
neer history of this section of the country, 
having been the first settlers of Doylestown, 
Pa., and also among the first to settle Han- 
cock, coming to the latter town early in the 
nineteenth century. Edward Doyle, the 
father of Charles, was born in Hancock, and 
spent a long life in his native town, dying at 
the age of eighty-two. His wife was Harriet 
Leonard, also of Hancock. 

When Charles Doyle started in life for 
himself, he purchased the farm on which his 
widow is now living. This estate is beauti- 
fully situated on the banks of Lake Somerset, 
and here Mr. Doyle spent the remainder of 
his life. His death, at the age of forty-three 
years, removed from the community a man of 
much usefulness, of .sterling qualities, and 
highly respected by all who knew him. He 
was a Democrat in politics, and took an active 
interest in his party. 

On June 7, 1858, Mr. Doyle married Ma- 
tilda Lakin, daughter of Jonas Lakin, second, 
and Mary (Thomas) Lakin. They were the 
parents of three children: Walter, who lives 
on the home farm with his mother; Herbert, 
a telegraph operator on the O. & W. Rail- 
road at Cook's Falls; Evelyn, wife of Au- 
gustus Reyen, of Hancock, and the mother of 
one child, Charles Reyen. 



son 



-AMES COWAN STORIi:, i\LD., a 
well-known physician and surgeon of 
Walton, was born in Bovina, Delaware 
County, N.Y., January 12, 1855, the 
of Alexander and Esther A. (Calan) 
Storie. James Storie, the father of Alexan- 
tler, was born in the north of Ireland, and was 
there married to Mary McCurrie, of Scotch 
descent. They emigrated to America soon 
after his marriage, settling in Bovina, where 
Mr. Storie cleared his 1 mrl. nnrl in mur'^o of 



time had a fine farm under cultivation. His 
family consisted of Mary A., now a resident 
of Bovina; Nellie, who married George Stott, 
and died at Bovina: Mrs. Bruob: Samuel, 
who died in the town of Tompkins; and Alex- 
ander, born in 1 8 14. 

At the time of the Rebellion Mr. Alexan- 
der Storie was active in raising men for the 
Northern army, during which period he was 
Supervisor of the town. He is a man of more 
than ordinary ability, and for many years held 
the responsible office of Justice of the Peace. 
He is a Republican in politics. He married 
Esther A. Calan, who was born in Delaware 
County in 1820; and they had five children, 
briefly recorded below: William died at eigh- 
teen years of age. Marion died at the age of 
ten. James resides in Walton. Alexander 
F. is a resident of Orange County, New York, 
married to Miss Gussie Hastings. John 
William, married to Miss Jennie Laidlaw, re- 
sides in Bovina. Both Mr. and Mrs. Storie 
are members of the Presbyterian church, 
which they were instrumental in building. 

James Cowan Storie received his early edu- 
cation at the district schools, afterward at- 
tending the Stamford Seminary, where he was 
graduated. He read medicine in the office of 
Dr. Henry Ogden, a prominent physician, 
was graduated from the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons in New York City in 1S84, and 
at once came to Walton, where he has re- 
mained in active practice ever since. Dr. 
Storie is a member of the Delaware County 
Medical Society. He has never been active 
in politics or sought any office, but devotes 
his whole time to his profession. 




IIARLES S. ADAMS represents one 
of the old pioneer families of Stam- 
ford, of which town he is a highly 
respected citizen. He was born 
on June 29, 1839, in the same house in which 
he now resides. He is a great-grandson of 
Joseph Adams, a descendant of one of four 
brothers of the name of Adams who came to 
New England with the early colonists. 

Joseph Adams was born in Connecticut in 
1740, his father, Abram Adams, being one of 
the first settlers of that State. Joseph was a 




Jnr.v^s C Storie. 




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d: 
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



^33 



fanner, and a soUlioi- of tlic Rcx'oUitionary 
War. He tlicd in lairficki County, Connect- 
icut, at a good old age. His son, another 
Joseph, was horn in August, 1770, and mar- 
ried Sarah Smitii, horn in Ma_\-, 1776, also in 
Connecticut. In June, 1797, this worthy 
couple moved with horse and cart lo Delaware 
County, New York, and settled in Stamford, 
where they cleared land and huilt a log house. 
Joseph Adams, Jr., was a weaver hy trade, 
and followed this occui)ation to some extent 
after moving to Delaware County. He was 
one of the sturdy, courageous farmers of that 
time, industrious and faithful lo his. duties, 
and at his tleath owned a productive farm of 
one hundred and sixty-five acres of land. He 
died September 6, 1819, a Whig, of liberal 
religious views: and his wife passed away 
February 2, 1839. They were the parents of 
four children, namely: .Smith, born .Septem- 
ber 12, 1796; I'hilemus. born in August, 
1801 ; I'"idelia, horn in October, 1806; 
Edwin, born July 24, 18 10. ICdwin is the 
only survivor of this family; and he is one of 
the oldest citizens of the town, residing with 
his son Charles. 

-Smith Adams, st)n of Joseph and Sarah, 
was born September 12. 1796, in l'"airfiel(l 
County', Connecticut, and was brougiit to 
Delaware County by his pai'cnts wiicn l)ut 
eighteen months old. He gTcw up to a 
farmer's life, and succeeded to the old home- 
stead, where he died August 5, 1870, having 
passed a useful, successful life. His wife 
was Rachel Taylor, born in l-"airfiekl Count)-, 
in December, 1797, a daughter of Zalmon and 
Hannah (Whitlock) Taylor. .She ilied June 
16, 1856, the mother of three children, only 
one of whom, Charles S., of this sketch, is 
still living. The others were: .Sarah Adelia, 
wife of John M. IJennett, who died in 1886; 
and Eliza Jane, wife of David .Sturgess, who 
died in 1892. 

Charles S. Adams was educated in the dis- 
trict schools, after which he gave his attention 
to farming. His farm contains one hundred 
acres of land, and here he operates an exten- 
sive dairy. March 9, 1871, he married Miss 
Maria M. Ballard, a native of Roxbury. Mr. 
and Mrs. Adams are the parents of five chil- 
dren — Francis B., John O., h-va M.. Mary, 



and .Sar;ih. I liey aie lii)er;il-minilec| and pid)- 
lic-spirited, and Mr. Adams is a kepul)lic:in. 
He has made extensive improvements in the 
buildings on his place, which give evidence 
of his good judgment :nid abilil\-. 



fff^OHN T. McDON'.ALD, general farmer, 
stock-raiser, and manufacturer of fancy 
dairy butter, owning ;ind ably manag- 
ing a fine!)- improved farm on I'Ak 
Creek, in the town of Delhi, has spent his 
entire life on the beautiful homestead which 
he now occupies, his i)irth having occurred 
here October 4, 1842. He is one of Delhi's 
most brainy and progressive agriculturists, 
possessing in an eminent degree those traits 
that command respect in the business world 
and gain esteem among his neighi^ors and 
associates. 

Mr. McDonald is the rightful inheritor of 
those habits of thrift anil enterprise which 
have been the step])ing-stones to his success- 
ful career, being the scion of an excellent 
Scotch family. His great-grandfather, who 
was a native of old Scotland, emigrated with 
his famil)', and was one of the earliest pio- 
neers of Delaware County, where he took u|) 
land in the town of .Stamford. Alexander 
McDonald, a soti of the emigrant, was a little 
lad of four years when he left his native 
Highlands; and the larger yavt of his after 
life was spent within the limits of this 
county, although, when a }oung man, he was 
for several }ears the captain of a sloo]) on the 
Hudson River. He subset|uently bought a 
timber ti'act in Stamford, where he established 
a home, and he and his good wife reared their 
family of seven children — Ann. John, James, 
Jane, William, Alexander, and George. 

James McDonald, the father of the subject 
of this sketch, was cpiite a young man when 
his father, Alexander, tiled; and from that 
time until his marriage he resided on the 
paternal homestead, taking full charge of it. 
In 1841, soon after his union with iClizabeth 
Rose, the daughter of Hugh Rose, a farmer ol 
.Stamford, he bought the farm now owned by 
his son, John T. It was then partly cleared: 
ami in the succeeding years lie placed a large 
share of it under cultivation, erected a fair 



634 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



set of buildings, and established a most com- 
fortable homestead for himself and family. 
He was a skilful farmer, an upright man, and 
one of the best-known and most valued citi- 
zens of this section of the county. His wife 
was the descendant of a respected pioneer of 
Delaware County, her grandfather Rose hav- 
ing removed here from Scotland in 1776, 
while this region was but a vast forest, find- 
ing his way by means of blazed trees. Ind- 
ians still roamed the woods in those days. 
One night a party of them came to his house, 
and took a boy out of bed, where he lay be- 
tween two others, and carried him away to 
Canada. His mother never knew what be- 
came of him. He was well treated, however, 
by his captors; and, after he had grown to 
manhood, he came back on a brief visit, re- 
turning then to Canada, accompanied by two 
of his brothers. Mr. Rose built the first mill 
in the locality in 1792, on Rose Brook. His 
son, Hugh Rose, improved a good farm in the 
town of Stamford, and there reared a family of 
ten children —Mary, Margaret, Lydia, Sarah, 
Eliza, Elizabeth, Hugh, Abigail, ICdmund, and 
Catherine. The family circle of James Mc- 
Donald and his wife included seven children, 
as follows: Alexander; Clark H.; James H.; 
Catherine, the wife of William Gaffers, of 
Albany County; John T., of Delhi; Isabella, 
the wife of James W. Hills, of Albany 
County ; and Charles R. Both parents spent 
their entire wedded life on the homestead, the 
father dying in 1868, at the age of sixty-six 
years, and the mother when sixty-seven years 
old. She was a woman of sterling worth, and 
a consistent member of the Presbyterian 
church of West Kortright. 

John T. McDonald received a good com- 
mon-school education. During his youth and 
early manhood he assisted in the care of the 
farm; and after the death of his father he 
bought out the interests of the remaining 
heirs in the estate, running heavily in debt 
therefor, and has since been successfully en- 
gaged in general farming and dairying, carry- 
ing on his operations in that systematic and 
intelligent manner that is a sure guarantee of 
prosperity. His farm contains two hundred 
acres of choice land, some one hundred and 
sixty of which arc under cultivation, and on 



which he has made extensive and expensive 
improvements, such as draining swampy land, 
pulling out stumps, and placing it in a pro- 
ductive condition. He has entirely rebuilt 
the residence, furnishing it wi'h many of the 
modern improvements so conducive to the 
comfort of the family, including among other 
things a furnace for heating. He has also 
erected a commodious barn, sixty by one hun- 
dred feet, and about fifty feet high, the base- 
ment of which is devoted to the swine. The 
second floor, which has stalls for a hundred 
head of cattle, contains the cow stable; and 
on the upper floor is the wagon-room and the 
horse stable, and he has recently annexed a 
creamery, with all the conveniences for mak- 
ing five hundred pounds of butter per day. 
Each floor of this "animal palace" is most 
conveniently arranged; and the conveniences 
for feeding, watering, and caring for his stock 
can scarcely be improved. We must not for- 
get to mention that above the wagon-room is 
a threshing-machine, run by power from the 
mill, in which the grain harvested upon the 
farm is threshed. He also has a large poultry- 
house, built on the most improved plans, 
accommodating about eight hundred hens. 
With characteristic enterprise Mr. McDonald 
built a mill upon his farm a few years since; 
and here, from timber which he cuts on his 
own land, he manufactures the boxes in which 
he ships his butter, and has also a grist-mill 
for grinding feed and a cider-mill in which, 
when the seasons are propitious, he makes 
large quantities of cider and cidjr jelly. 
Every acre of the land is made available; and, 
in order that the sugar maples of his orchard 
may bring him good returns, he has erected a 
sugar-house near his mill, and here the sap 
from seven hundred trees is annually con- 
verted into syrup or sugar, for which he finds 
a ready market. Mr. McDonald is a man of 
great native ability, possessing unusual me- 
chanical talent; and the major part of the 
various improvements of the place emanated 
from his own brain, and are the productions 
of his own hand. In his workshop are tools 
of many kinds, in the use of which he is an 
adept. Although a general farmer, our sub- 
ject pays especial attention to dairying, his 
fine herd of graded Jerseys numbering about 



RIOGRAPHICAI, RKVIKW 



f'3.S 



niiK-ty head, Irom which in 1893 he sokl 
twenty-three thousand one hundred pounds of 
butter, sending it direct to private customers, 
and shipping it to all parts of the country. 
In the sale of his farm products, which, he- 
sides butter, include fresh eggs, chickens, 
maple syrup, condensed cider, and cider jelly, 
Mr. McDonald has built up a most extensive 
and lucrati\-e trade, his goods ha\ing a fine 
reputation, and bringing the higlicst market 
price. 

On b'ebruary 1, 1S71, .Mr. McDonaUl was 
united in marriage to Catherine Covell, a na- 
tive of Roxbury, daughter of ICdmund and 
Araminta (Wilson) Covell. The father was 
for some time engaged as a carpenter in Rox- 
bury. The last twenty-eight years of the 
lives of Mr. and Mrs. Covell were spent in 
the town of Walton, where they successfully 
managed a large farm, and where, within one 
short week, both i^assed to their final rest. 
They were excellent Christian people, ami es- 
teemed members of the Methodist church. 
During the wedded life of John '!". McDonald 
and his estimable wife, in which sorrow as 
well as pleasure has had its swa\', eight chil- 
dren have been born, of whom we record the 
following: James died at the age of six 
months. ICddie died at the age of nine years. 
Elizabeth, an accom])lished young lady, was 
graduated from the Delaware Acaelemy in the 
class of 1895. I'.arl died at the tender age of 
two years. The others are Annlia, Catherine, 
Isabella, and Araminta. Religiously, Mr. 
McDonald and his family are connected with 
the Presbyterian church; and in him the Re- 
publican party finds an earnest advocate. ()n 
an accompanying page mav be seen a view of 
Mr. McDonald's farm. 




,i;V. CHARLI'.-S A. 1II'151:LL, pas- 
tor of the l'"irst Baptist Church at 
Trout Creek, Tompkins, N.^'., was 
born in Goshen. Litchfield County. 
Conn., July 2, 1845. He is of old Puritan 
stock, being descended from early settlers of 
New England. Loveman llubell, his grand- 
father, was born in Warren, Conn., December 
5, 1784. He married Rosannah Mead, born 
March 28, 1792, daughter of Abner Mead, of 



Warren, and removed tn i'ranklin. Didaware 
Count}', X.\'., iif which town he w.i>i one of 
the [lioneers. He ami his wile were the |)ar- 
enls of eleven chiMren, namelv: <>rilla, born 
December ,1, iSdi^; I.iicv, burn Angust 24, 
1811; James l'\, Ijoiii July I S, 1813; Lucius 
.S., born September 12, 1815; James I,., horn 
December 29, 1817; .Sar.di, born ( )clober 25, 
1 8 19; Henry .S., Imrn January 6, 1822; 
Charles W., born July 7, 1823; Clarissa .\., 
born December 2, 1825: David C, born De- 
cember 4, 1829: Mar\' R., born A[)ri] 30, 
1832. Loveman Hubell mo\eil to Walton, 
and spent his last tlays at the home of his 
grandson, of whom this sketch is written, 
dying October 22. 1866. a firm believer in the 
HaiJtist faith. 

His son, James I.., was educated in the dis- 
trict schools, and graduated from the l-'ranklin 
High .School. Heing offered a |josition as 
foreman in a large machine-siiop at Goshen, 
Conn., he removed to that town, and was Cap- 
tain of a cavalry company in the .State militia 
for a number of )'ears. lie married i'ollv 
Ann Wetlge, daughter of Lyman Wedge, of 
Warren, Conn. James Hubell died of ty- 
phoid fever when a young man of twenty-nine 
yeais: and his death was followed two months 
later by that of his wife, she i)eing a victim 
of the same fatal disease. Their two sons, 
John L., liorn October 2, 1842, and Charles 
.\., born July 2, 1845, were thus left ori^hans 
at an early age, and were cared for bv their 
grandjiarents, Loveman Hubell and his wife. 
John L., the elder, enlisted in the Civil War 
in 186,, going to the front from Walton in 
Conijiany I, i went \ -first New \'ork Ca\alry, 
and serving under Slieridan in the .Shenandoah 
\'alley. He was taken ill while in service, 
and died in 1864. being buried in Washing- 
ton, D.C. His wife was Martlia J. Beagel, 
of Walton, a daughter of John Heagel. Mr. 
ami Mrs. John L. llubell weie the parents of 
one child, Oliver A. Ihdiell. 

Charles .V. Hubell. son of James L. and 
Lollv Ann (Wedge) Hubell. was a mere boy 
of seventeen at the breaking-out of the war, 
but enlisted August 12, 1S62, in Company B, 
One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, 
New \'(M-k \'olunteers, ami served through the 
great struggle, being mustered out June 25, 



636 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



1865. at Hilton Head. September 25, 1867, 
he married Electa L. Bulkley, daughter of 
James M. and Rebecca (_Hopkins) Bulkley. 
The Bulkley family was one of the oldest in 
Dutchess County, Mrs. Hubell's grandfather 
being James, a son of Moses Bulkley, a sea- 
captain and native of that county. The Hop- 
kins family early settled in Connecticut. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hubell have four children: 
Alice M.; I.ibbie R., who married F. W. 
Baker, of Hattenburg, Ulster County, and is 
the mother of one child, Carson; James S., 
who is engaged in lumbering in Colchester; 
and Hattie G., who lives at. home. 

About 1879 Mr. Hubell entered the minis- 
try, and for twelve years preached at the Col- 
chester Baptist Church, after which he 
accepted a call to the Baptist church at Trout 
Creek. He is a member of Ben Marvin Post, 
Grand Army of the Republic, No. 209, of 
Walton. As a pastor he is beloved by his 
people, and his work in the Master's vineyard 
has been blessed with good results. 



(S^fA.MES HALLEXTIXE, a ijrominent 
citizen of Andes, N. \'., was born here 
(in January 27, 1855. His grandfather, 
Uavid Ballentine, was born in Rox- 
burghshire, Scotland, and came to this country 
in 1814, settled in Bovina, where he engaged 
in mercantile business and farming, and mar- 
ried Anna Grant. 

Duncan Ballentine, son of Da\id, was born 
in Bovina, February 28, 1821. He kept a 
store there till 1846, when he came to Andes 
and engaged in business, afterward organizing 
the national bank of this place, in which he 
continued to be interested till his death, at the 
age of sixty-seven years. In 1864 he was a 
Republican delegate. Mrs. Duncan Ballen- 
tine, who is still living, is a strong supporter 
of the church, as was alscj her husband. They 
had eight children, six of whom grew to ma- 
turity, namely: David, who married Elizabeth 
Frazer, and had one child — Raymond; James; 
George, who married Ella Ferguson, and had 
four children — Mabel, Laura, Hattie, and 
Lillian; Ejihraim, who married Eva Crispell, 
and had (me child — Duncan; Agnes, who 
married F. Xcwman. and had one child — 



Hazel; Lillian, who married John Knaiiji, and 
had one child — John. 

James Ballentine was educated in the Andes 
and Ferguson Academies. In 1874 he suc- 
ceeded 'his uncle Da\id in the produce busi- 
ness, which he now carries on so successfully. 
He married Kate Shaw, daughter of Archibald 
and Mary (Grant) Shaw. Mr. Ballentine has 
had a very prosperous business career, and is 
a well-known and highly esteemed citizen, a 
leader in many of the town affairs. He is 
a Republican, has been a Supervisor, and a 
member of the Assembly. 



.BRIDGE F. DOUGHERTY, a practi- 
>! cal farmer of Masonville, Delaware 
County, N. Y. , was born Ntjvember 
12, 1854. His father, John Dougherty, was a 
son of Jacob Dougherty, who married Eunice 
Robinson. 

John Dougherty attended the district school 
in his boyhood, and assisted his father on the 
farm. L'pon reaching maturity, he began 
farming for himself at Terry Clove, where he 
was an early settler. He married Maria 
Signor, daughter of Thomas and Hannah 
(Linderbeck) Signor, of Dutchess Count}', a 
descendant of two old pioneer families. In 
the latter part of the Civil War John Dough- 
erty enlisted in an engineer corps and served 
ten months. When peace was declared, he 
returned to his home and purchased the farm 
now occupied by his son Elbridge at Mason- 
ville, where he now passes most of his time, 
having retired from active life. He and his 
estimable wife were the parents of five chil- 
dren, three of whom are still living: Hannah 
J., who married James Carroll, a farmer at 
Trout Creek; Eunice O. , the wife of Daniel 
Hoyt, of Tompkins; and Elbridge F. , of 
whom this sketch is written. 

Elbridge F. Dougherty's early life was 
pleasantly passed in pursuing his studies at 
the district school and helping in the work of 
the farm. On July 3, 1877, he married Miss 
Lydia A. Banker, daughter of Brazillia and 
.Susan (Frcar) Banker, of l'"ranklin. The 
father of Brazillia Banker was Thorn Banker, 
a pioneer of Kortright, who married Phoebe 
Rowe, whose ancestors were among the first to 



BIOGRAPHICAL RKVIKW 



'.57 



settle in New Wuk. l?ia/illia Hunkei' was a 
participant in tiie anti-rent war, and (iininn 
the exciting;- times nf that ])eri(](l was a (irm 
sup|)(irler of the ])(ipular side. lie died at a 
;;c)()d old aj^e at l'"ranklin. 

I{lhriii_L;e Dou<;herty is engaged in (arming 
and o|x'rating a ilair_\-, haxing si.\t\- acres of 
land nnder cult i\ation, lie and his wife lia\e 
two children: Claude 1-",., horn |-'ehruarv iS, 
1879, wli(> li\es at home anil attends school in 
Masonville; and John 15., who was horn Ma\- 
22, 1891. Mi-. Dougherty is nni\ersall\- re- 
spectetl throLighout the town where he is a 
resident, and his success in life testifies to his 
upright, industrious manhood. 



fsif .\Mi;.S 1:. lIASTIXCiS, one of the fore- 
most stock dealers and farmers in 
Ho\ ina, is a gi-andson of John Hastings, 
a jMonecr in this countr\-, who came to 
Hoxina in 1799. At this time the region of 
woodland near the \illage was infested bv 
deer, wolves, hears, and jianthers ; and the 
Colonial farmer who I'hose this section of New 
^'ork for his habitation nuist be also a hunter, 
riic nearest market was se\ent\- miles distant, 
at Catskill ; ami iiere the doughtv settlers car- 
ried their skins and game, which were ex- 
changed for household goods and family 
sti]:)plies. 

John Ilastings lived, after the primitive 
fashion of the da\', in severe sim]ilicit\'. On 
.Sundavs lie would walk to the little nieet- 
ing-liouse at Koitright barefooted, with his 
shoes shuig over his shoulder, in order to keep 
them clean and sa\e shoe-leather. The near- 
est mill was at Kortright si.x miles away; and 
the journevs thither and back were formidable, 
and even dangerous, tlir(]ngh the lonely roads, 
where the cry of the jxinther or wolf might 
suddenly smite the ear of the belated traveller, 
who sometimes found it a ride lor life to get 
back within the sheltered ])recincts of his own 
home. There were foiu' descendants of John 
Hastings left to hand down the name to futinx' 
generations, of whom James, the father of the 
James of this memoir, is the only survivor. 
James the father was born in 1797, and mar- 
ried Elizabeth Mlliott. Their son, James V... 
grew up on the idd I'arm, and was educated in 



the district school and tlu- hellii .\cadem\. 
lie has paid gieal attention to >iock-r.iising, 
and owns a large number of full-blooded |er- 
se\s, all registered, thirty-six of which .are 
kept lor cliiry use, averaging in |8()^ about 
three lumdre<l pounds of butter each. I'he 
ca])acious barn, lately completed at a lo-t of 
three thousaiul five lumdred dollars, measures 
lift) feet by sixty feet, and se\ent\ feet in 
height to the \ane on the cu|)ola, has a bridge- 
wa\- seventeen by twenty-four feel, with a wing 
thirty-two feet by thirty-six feet, and can 
accommodate sixty head of cattle. Hut it is 
in tlie dairy that Mr. I iastings's chief interests 
are centred; and the golden l)utter, the deli- 
cious cheeses, the pure milk and thick cream 
ot the I-Iastings dairv, have a wide reputation. 
In 1884, on January 15, James I'. Hastings 
was joined in holv wedlock to ]-;ilen Cimning- 
liatii, a native of Clster Countv. |-"our chil- 
dren have blessed their union i-'lizabeth V.. . 
Charles H., William J., and bjiima I). All 
are still at home beneath the paternal shel- 
ter. I'he world Iv affairs of life have not ab- 
sorbed the attention of this successful niiin to 
the exclusion of sjiiritual concerns, for both 
he and his wife are in the communion of the 
L'nited I'resbv terian chinch. lie is an advo- 
cate of Republican principles, and as a mon- 
eved man, as well as an individual intelligent 
force, wields weighty influence in matters of 
public interest. 




"OX. M.\K\i.\ I). \vHi:i;Li:k, in- 

rr-'i s]iector-in-Chief of l^ost-otHices of 
the L'nited .States, is a native of 
Hancock, Delaware County, X.\'. 
His f.ither, Marvin Wheeler, was the son of 
i'ledeiick Wheeler, whose native [ilace was 
Xe\v- London, Conn. 'i'he familv is of Welsh 
origin. i'rederick Wheeler with several 
brothers, athletic and brave men, came to the 
Delaware \'alley in 1795, being the first set- 
tlers on I'artridge Island, now |xirt of the town 
of Hancock. I-'rederick was married in Xew 
London to .Marv Comstock, bv whom he had 
foiu' children, Marvin l)eing the youngest. 
The others were Koyal. I'ollv, and Corinda. 

.Marvin was born in 1S04. .\t an early age 
he Ijecamc acquainted with farm work, and 



638 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



also assisted his father in lumbering, later 
starting out for himself as a merchant and 
general trader. He wis thrifty and far- 
sighted, qualities to which he owed much of 
hi" success in life. He became an extensive 
land-owner, and for years was Postmaster in 
Hancock. Originally counted with the Whigs, 
he became a Republican on the formation of 
that party. He married Kmily Edick, daugh- 
ter of Conrad and Hlizabeth Edick, of Deposit. 
Conrad Edick was born at German Flats, Her- 
kimer County. He entered the patriot army 
during the Revolutionary War, and was in 
active sen-ice much of the time until its close. 
His native village being burned in 1779 by a 
party of Tories and Indians under command of 
the infamous Brant, :Mr. Edick moved with his 
step-father to Stone Arabia, Montgtmiery 
County; and later, in the winter of 1781, they 
removed to Creenbush near Albany. Mr. 
I<:dick was one of the force raised to avenge 
the Wyoming and Cherry Valley massacres. 
He took part in several engagements in which 
the enemv were repulsed with considerable 
loss. In the spring of 1781 he again enli.sted 
for nine months' service, and went to Fort 
Plain, where he was employed as military ex- 
press, and was often with scouting parties 
detached for dangerous service. In Octo- 
ber, 1 78 1, a large force of British, Tories, 
and Indians, under Walter Butler, attacked 
Johnstown, destroyed property, and killed 
many of the settlers. An expedition set out 
from Fort Rensselaer, under command of 
Colonel Willett, to avenge this massacre, 
Conrad Edick being numbered among the 
troops. They pursued the retreating foe and 
overtook them at Canada Creek, about Novem- 
ber I, when a fierce battle ensued, the advan- 
tage being with the attacking force. 

Mr. lulick was twice married. By his first 
■marriage, to a Miss.^Whitaker, of Sanford, he 
had three children, as follows: Phebe, Jacob 
C, and IClizabeth. His second marriage was 
to IClizabeth Sneeden, and by her he had six 
children: Margaret; Ro.xanna; Sally; Emily, 
born February 32, 1808, who became Mrs. 
Marvin Wheeler ; Jane M. ; and Rachel P. 
In 1787 Mr. Edick settled about two miles 
below Deposit; but later, in 1801, he removed 
to Deposit village, where he died at an ad- 



vanced age. He was greatly respected, and 
was a prominent member of the Masonic 
Order. During the anti-Ma.sonic agitation 
secret meetings were often held in his house; 
and his Masonic apron is still preserved at the 
home of his descendant, Marvin D. Wheeler. 
The five children of Marvin and Emily 
(Edick) Wheeler were: Frederick M. ; DeWit't 
C. ; Evelyn Susan ; and Marvin Duane, whose 
name appears at the head of this sketch. The 
two elder brothers are deceased. Frederick 
married Elizabeth Bull, of Milford, Conn., 
and had three children. Marvin D. Wheeler 
attended the schools of his native town, and 
later entered the military academy at Sing- 
Sing. After graduation he returned to Han- 
cock, and, like his brothers, entered intf) busi- 
ness with his father. Early regarded by his 
fellow-townsmen as a young man of great 
promise, he served as Supervisor, and held 
other positions of trust, fulfilling his public 
duties to the entire satisfaction of the com- 
munity. His advancement was rapid, and 
his fame soon extended beyond the limits of 
his native town. In the first year of President 
Harri-son's administration he was appointed 
Inspector of the New York Post-ofifice, and 
shortly afterward w^as made Inspector-General 
of Post-offices of the United States, which 
position he still holds under President Cleve- 
land. 



ACOB LAWRENCE is a worthy repre- 
sentative of the mercantile interests of 
the village of Hobart, where he is an 
extensive dealer in gentlemen's cloth- 
ing and furni.shing goods, including a general 
and complete assortment of articles usually 
found in a store of this kind. He was born 
January 7, 1853, in Chri.stburg, East Prussia, 
the residence of his parents, Abram and Lena 
(P'reundlich) Lawrence, or Laurenes. In 
1889 the father, a well-to-do merchant, accom- 
])anied by his wife, came to America. Three 
years later his death occurred in Omaha, 
Neb., followed the next year by that of his 
wife in the same city. The four children 
born to them are all living, and with the 
exception of the eldest son, the subject of 
this sketch, arc residents of Trinidad, Col., 



HIOGRAIMIICAI, KIIVIKW 



•.V) 



the I'olldwiiii;- hciiii;- tlu-ir names: Mrs. Sarah 
Mlliyon, Max I.awixiKo, and Mis. .Sophia 
Hai'j;nian. 

Jacoh Lawrence received a line edncalinn 
under tlic excellent scIidoI s\sten) ol (iernianv. 
i-"r<ini his lather he became acc|iiainted with 
the mercantile business, and. wliile \et a 
ydunj;- man, emigrated to this C(iuntr\-, laudiiiLC 
in New \'()rk Citv nn the I'ouitli of |ulv, 
iiS/i. lie there en,i;ai;ed as a tra\ellin,g sales- 
man Inr two Years. In 1X74 Mr. Lawrence 
established a dry-n'oods store in the villas^e of 
Delhi, where he remained about a year and a 
half. In I (S~6 he o])ene<l his [iresent place in 
Ilobarl, puttini;' in a full stock of goods, and 
has since conducted a lloiu'ishing business. 
He is widely known as an able and honorable 
business man, courteous and atti.-nti\'e to the 
wants ot his cust<iniei's, kee]-)ini; a well-fur- 
nished anil attractive store. 

Mr. Lawrence was miited in marriage ( )cto- 
ber 3, 1882, to Miss Laura (irant, a native of 
.Stamford, being the daughter of the late Alex- 
ander (iiant and his wife, X'alencia (ii'aut. 

Mr. (irant was a farmer of Stamford, and 
his widow still resides on the home tarm. 
One child has blessed this union, a son named 
Amazia J. Lawrence. In ]>olitics Mr. Law- 
rence is a sound Democrat. lie is a mend)er 
of the Masonic fraternitv', belonging to .St. 
Andrew's Lodge, No. jAo, A. V. & A. M. 
He is liberal in his religious views, while 
Mrs. Lawrence is a communicant of the Lpis- 
cojxil church. 




f7?)\AIA.\ 1!. 1'.\I..MI:R, a highly respected 
~ and well-to-do citizen of the town of 
rom])kins, was born l-'ebruar_\' 2S, 
1815, at Delhi, son of Abel 
Palmer, a native of Canton, Litchtield County, 
Conn. The father of Abel I'almer came with 
his i)arents when young to Andes, Delaware 
Countv. where he went into the cariK-ntering 
business, and built some of the first frame 
houses in that section of the country. He 
married a member of the I'eck family, of Con- 
necticut, b'rom Andes he moved with his 
family to Delhi, where he died. 

Abel I'almer was horn in 1772. I-"rom boy- 
hood he showed marked vocal al)ility: and ' ■ 



taught singing-M hool i.h .1 lung ti?ne, but 
exenlually leased a pie< e of iaml. when- he 
cairied on larming, also following the trade of 
carpenter and millwright. lie married .M.ir_\- 
.Saunders, a native of ( onnect ii iil, whose 
famil\- were noti-d fdr iheir l)ra\er\ and d.iriiig 
in the Ke\idulioiiar\ War. .Abel I'almer first 
settled in .\ndes. but later in life moved to 
Delhi, where he purchased a farm, and resided 
there until his death, in 1S5;. when lightv- 
two years o| age. 1 1 is wife had died nineteen 
vears previon> to this, having ha<l a familv of 
eight children Helsev, .Saunders, .Margaret, 
Lydia. Castle, Iji)in. .\l)el, and Lyman H. 

Lyman H. I'almei' received his educaliim at 
the district schools of Delhi, ami until sixteen 
years old assisted his father nn the farm. lie 
then started for himself in life, doing car- 
]>entering and lumljering until he reached his 
tvventv-lirst year, when he went .South, working 
in (ieorgia and the Candinas, erecting mills. 
During the late vv.ii' he was engaged on govern- 
ment works foi' a few vears. In iS;i he 
bought fiom the heirs of his first wife's familv 
ninety-four acres if l.md. upon which he now 
resides, also holding the title to four hundreil 
and ninetv acres in (ieoigia. 

^Ir. I'almer has been twice niarrieil. first, 
in iS^T), to I.nc\ Carpenter, daughter of John 
Car]. enter, a native of \ermont ; and bv this 
marriage there were two children : Mary lane, 
who married Ilenrv Marks, of Chicag<i. III.: 
and .\ancv ,M., who married NornKin I. Harris, 
of Hart, (Jceana Countv, Mich. .Mr. I':dmer 
married for hi.s second wife, in 1 86t'). Kenna 
:\. liutler, who was horn in the town of Wal- 
ton in 1826. daughter of John. Jr.. anti Kuana 
(Herrvi Hutler. John Butler, the grandfather 
of .Mrs. I'almer, was born in Lngland, and 
came to this countrv when a voung man. set- 
tling in Connecticut, where he followed the 
trade of shoemaker. All <•{ his symiiathies 
were with the .\niericaii ' .md during the 

Kevolutionarv War he on thi> side. 

Three of his brothers were numbered among 
the British forces, and during an engagement 
John Butler shot one of them three times 
without recognizing his victim. He marrieil 
Martha Lells, of Canaan, t'oiui. : autl in 1809 
he, with his wife, bought land in Walton, 



'lere 



he engaged in farmi' 



I,,l,.> 



640 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Jr., followed his father in the shuemaking 
business until his death, at the old homestead, 
when sixty-three years of age. He was the 
father of nine children. Mr.s. Palmer's sister 
Harriet married George W. Finch, of Tomp- 
kins, and still resides in that town. 

Lyman B. Palmer has been a voter in four 
different States — New York, Pennsylvania, 
(ieorgia, and South Carolina. He first voted 
with the Whigs; and, when the change was 
made in the two parties, he became an Inde- 
]K'ndent, voting generally, however, with the 
Democratic party. While in the South, he 
met and talked with many jjrominent men, in- 
cluding Jefferson Uavis; Alexander Stephens; 
Governor Crawford, of Georgia ; and Robert 
Toombs. Mr. Palmer is one of the substantial 
citizens of Tompkins, is .still hale and vigor- 
ous, and continues to look after his extensive 
business interests. 



rmCK GLADSTONP:, a noted 
farmer in Bovina Centre, was born in 
the town of Andes on September 19, 
I .S43. There are numerous Gladstones in the 
county, among them Ur. James A. Gladstone ; 
and all trace their lineage to a common an- 
cestor, Robert Gladstone. 

Grandfather Robert was a Scotch emigrant 
from Ro.xburgh.shire, who in 181 7 began clear- 
ing the Bovina farm now belonging to Andrew 
G. Thomson. He was a hard-working and 
successful citizen, and a member of the United 
Presbyterian church. His wife died young; 
but he lived to be some eighty years old, 
dying in 1858, having been born about the 
peri<xl of the American Revolution. Robert 
Gladstone had si.x boys and one girl ; and his 
son, Robert Osborne (iladstone, is now living 
in Andes. The list of Grandfather Robert 
Gladstone's other children, deceased, is as 
follows: William (iladstone, who married 
Catherine Renwick ; John (iladstone, who 
married I.sabella I^lliott, and had twelve chil- 
dren ; Thomas Gladstone, who married Mar- 
garet Bigger, and had four boys and two girls; 
Walter Gladstone; James Gladstone; Viola 
(iladstone; and Robert Gladstone, Jr., who 
married Jane Miller, and had six children. 
Walter Gladstone, who married Isabella 



Elizabeth Bigger, was born in Scotland on the 
very last day of the year 1810, before the 
family removed to the United States; and his 
wife was also born among the Scotia hills, but 
four years later, in July, 1814. Walter was a 
life-long farmer, and came to this country 
when little more than a boy. As soon as 
possible he bought land midway between the 
centres of Andes and Bovina, and there resided 
till in 1858, when he was nearly fifty years 
old, he sold the place, in order to make a new 
settlement in Gladstone Hollow, a locality 
named after his family. There he owned a 
hundred and fifty acres, which he began to 
develop in the best way; but his hopes were 
blasted by his death only two years later, in 
i860, just before the outbreak of the Civil 
War. His wife lived till 1869, dying at the 
age of fifty-five ; and both belonged to the 
Andes United Presbyterian church. They had 
six boys and five girl-s, of whom only two, 
Robert and William, have passed from earth. 
Margaret Gladstone is now in Walton, the 
widow of Romaine Palmer, of Andes, her 
husband having been killed while in the dis- 
charge of his duty as a member of Company 
E, in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regi- 
ment of New York Volunteers. John Andrew 
(iladstone lives in Andes. The next son is 
George, of whom more anon. Thomas is an 
Andes farmer. Ann married P. S. Doig, of 
Walton. Walter, named for the father, has a 
farm in Andes. Elizabeth lives unmarried in 
Walton. Her sister Isabella is an Andes 
school-mistress. Another sister, Janet Glad- 
stone, has a home with her brother Tom in 
Andes. 

George (iladstone grew up in Andes, attend- 
ing the district school, and going to the 
academy one term. On reaching his majority, 
he began working out by the month — for 
I'. C. Armstrong two seasons, and Walter A. 
Doig one season. .So saving was he of his 
i scant earnings that in 1868, on the 8th of 
January, he was able to take upon himself 
family responsibilities, and became the hus- 
band of Helen Strangeway, a Ikjvina girl, 
daughter of Christopher Strangeway, of whose 
family further facts may be found in our sketch 
of A. T. Strangeway. In 1868 George Glad- 
stone bought the estate w^here he still lives. 




William H, Formhn. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



^•■i:. 



At first In- had only a luindicd acres, hut I he 
land has been more than d.)ul)led l)v the addi- 
tion of the (iillis farm. As is ainmst iniivei- 
sally the case in lliis Scotch-Ameiican ie,i;ion. 
special attention is -iven In the .iwner to ijie 
dairy, supplied with milk fioni thirlv tine 
Jersey cattle, each of which yiekls upward of 
two lunidred and fifty pounds of huttei' e\erv 
year, prejiared for market in huiklin-s arran.i;etl 
according;' to the latest ideas. 

Mr. and Mrs. (jladstone have broui^hl up 
their four sons in the L'nited I'resbvterian 
church. The eldest, James Walter (iladstone, 
born in 1869, is a farmer in the same town. 
His brothers, Christojiher .StrannewaN', born in 
1871, Robert i^lliott, born in 1874, and Will- 
iam Armstrong, born in 1876, are at home on 
the farm. In jjolitics their father is a Repub- 
lican, and his faniih- form the centre of a 
wide-awake circle of friends. Well has it 
been said by that .searching essavisi, E. V. 
Whil)])le: "(irit is the grain of character. It 
may generally be described as heroism ma- 
terialized — s|)irit and will thrust into heart, 
brain, and backbone, so as to foini part of the 
ph}'sical substance of the man." .Such an 
opinion is well borne out in the (iladstone 
posterity, anil one can hardh' sjjeak the name 
without being reminded In- it of that ISritish 
statesman righth' known as the drand Old 
Man. 




R.S. 1:. J. W ADi;, of Walton, widow 
ni the late Ldiarles H. Wade, who 
tiled in Hinghamton. X. \'., Ma\- 
10, 1873. is a lad_\- greatly es- 
teemed for her excellent traits of character. 
.She was born in New \'ork Cil\, and conies of 
good New I'jigland stock on both sides, her 
jiarents, .Andrew and Mar\' (i^attersoni .Sev- 
mour, ha\ing been of Connecticut birth, her 
father a native of .\ew Canaan, and her mother 
of -Stonington. ller paternal grandfather. 
Samuel Sevmour. was born in Connecticut, 
in 1756, and in 1774 was united in marriage 
to Anna Whitne\, in the town of Xorwalk, 
now \ew Canaan. Thev remained in the .State 
of their nativit\ imtil after the birth of their 
twelve children, seven of whom were daugh- 
ters, and in 1803, accompanieil by their entire 



family, came tn WaltiMi. uheie ihev afterward 
resided. Their children all married .md bi- 
came heads nf families, exciptiug one son; 
and their ilescendanls are niimbere<l among the 
useful and valued citizens ol the place. I'hi-N 
made the removal horn Connect icnt willi 
wagons, a jjart of the family riding imi hiMs>' 
back. Like other pioneers, ihi\ fdllnueil a 
path marked by blazed trees. Ihe cmuUrs was 
then in an almost i)rimili\e cnndilion, and 
thev accom])lished their share in .F]iening it up 
for the advance of civilization. 

Charles H. Wade was born .uul reared {•< 
manhood in New \'ork City, and was a sun of 
hdias Wade, Jr., who was one of the firm <>i 
(irinnell, Minton & C>i., extensive shippers to 
toreign ports. His union with Miss .Seymour 
was solemnized in 1852; and three vears later 
they removed to Walton, buving the line large 
house on the corner of Delaware and 'I'ownsend 
.Streets, which is now used as busiiK>s prop- 
erty, his widow having removed to her ]iresent 
desirable home in 1891. .Mr. Wade engaged 
in a snccesslul mercantile birsiness in this vil- 
lage, and was for m;uiv vears a member of the 
lirm of (iay, I'lels & Wade, the leading mer- 
chants of the ])lace, having an extensive trade 
throughout this part of Delaware Countv. 
.Se\en children were boin to .Mr. and Mrs. 
Wade, two of whom died in infancv. The five 
living children are: William D. ; Lizzie, wife 
ot John R. Launt. who has one son, Kae C. 
l.aimt, a youth of fouiteen years; Charles l... 
who married (irace Lapsley, of .Springfield. 
.Mo. ; Sevniour H. ; and .Alfred L. Mr. Wade 
was a man of good business capacitv. and was 
prominent in local affairs. l-"or a while he 
served as .Su|H-rv isor, and in pcditics was an 
uncompromising Democrat, lovallv sustaining 
the principles of that ]xirtv. .Sociallv. he was 
an im])ortant member of the Masonic frater- 
nity, being :i Mason of high degree, and filling 
different chairs in the societv. 




ll.l.fAAI H. l-"ORMA.\ 1.- a ..ulLstau- 
jSi\l 'ial farmer of the town of Stam- 
ford, Delaware Countv. X. \". His 
grandfather. Henrv l-"orm;ui, was born in 
Dutchess Countv, August 19, 1787, and mar- 
ried .March 6, 1808, Miss .Mary Kisho].. who 



6,4 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



was born July 19, 1787- Henry Forman was 
a farmer, and also a blacksmith of Stamford, 
having learned the latter trade in Bloomville 
when a mere boy. After his marriage he re- 
moved to Stamford, where he was one of the 
first settlers, and where he died November 29, 
1868, his wife's death having occurred April 
5, 1867. He was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, and in politics a Whig. He 
was an energetic and industrious man, and 
with the assistance of his .sons cleared and 
cultivated the farm in Stamford. Mr. and 
Mrs. Henry Forman were the parents of five 
children, two of whom still live, namely: 
Alexander, the father of the subject of this 
sketch, and his sister Harriet Benson, widow 
of Simon Benson, residing in lirie, Pa. 

Alexander Forman was born August 18, 
1815, in Stamford, where he was educated in 
the district schools, and later adopted a 
farmer's life. October 3, 1843, he married 
Ann White, who was born in Bloomville, 
April 27, 1820, a daughter of Shadrach and 
Mary (Upham) White. The father of Mrs. 
Ale.xander F"orman was born in South Hamp- 
ton, L. I., September 20, 1779, and his wife 
in Massachusetts. February 25, 1783, their 
marriage occurring May 8, 1805. He was a 
tanner and currier, and in the pioneer days of 
Bloomville moved to that village, where he 
died November 6, 1866, and his wife January 
24, 1858. She was a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. He was liberal in 
religious matters, and a .stanch Republican. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ale.vander Forman are still liv- 
ing and enjoying good health in their home in 
Bloomville, passing the evening of their lives 
in the peace and prosperity deserved by the 
faithful. 

William H. Forman, the only child of Alex- 
ander and Ann (White) Forman, was born in 
Stamford, September 24, 1844, receiving his 
early education in the schools of this town, and 
later attending the Andes Academy. He then 
gave his attention to farming, and lived at his 
parents' home until thirty years of age. He 
was married on Christmas Eve, December 24, 
1874, to Miss Jennie McDonald, who was born 
in Stamford, where her father, Alexander 
McDonald was an early settler. Mrs. Jennie 
Forman died while yet young; and her hus- 



band was again married November 6, 1889, his 
present wife being Julia Foote, daughter of 
Charles F"oote, a farmer and carpenter of Har- 
])ersfield. 

Mr. P^orman inherited from his grandfather 
one-half the old homestead, but is now the 
pos.sessor of the whole property. He also man- 
ages his father's fann, and has, in all, three 
hundred and forty acres of land under his con- 
trol, making him one of the principal farmers 
of the town. He keeps fifty grade Jersey 
cow.s, and makes excellent butter. Mr. For- 
man is a Republican, but in no way prominent 
in politics, and is a member of the Methodist 
ICpiscopal church. He also belongs to the ]VIa- 
sonic fraternity, being a member of the Delhi 
Lodge, No. 439, A. F. & A. M. An intelli- 
gent, industrious, and upright citizen, he is 
desei'vedly held in high esteem. 

Mr. l'"orman is further represented in this 
volume by a portrait, which his friends will 
easily recognize. 




ARL S. LAKIN, son of William G. 
I.akin, was born April 15, 1836, in 
Hancock, Delaware County. The 
progenitors of the Lakin family in America 
were among the early Puritan settlers who made 
their home on the rugged coast of New Eng- 
land, where they might live free from persecu- 
tion. A branch of the family .settled in 
Vermont ; and shortly after the Revolutionary 
War three brothers, named Jona.s, Joel, and 
Jonathan, came to Delaware County and settled 
on Partridge Island. 

Mr. Eaii .S. Lakin has followed the river as 
a steersman, anil since he was fifteen years old 
has scarcely mi s.sed a season's run. He has 
one hundred and si.xty-two acres of land at 
Fish's Eddy, and this he cultivates in connec- 
tion with his lumbering business. He has 
always taken great interest in local history; 
and from him have been obtained many of the 
interesting facts concerning the early days of 
the town, as they were told him by his grand- 
mother, Prudence Parks Lakin. The history 
of the family is given at length in another part 
of this volume in connection with the biog- 
raphy of his brother, James W. Lakin. 

Mr. Lakin has been prominent in town 



RIOGRAPHICAL KKVIKW 



^•IS 



affairs, and has l)ccii Cnlloitur n\ Taxes and 
Constable, which latter position he still hulds. 
He is a Free Mason in the soxcnth dci,'rec. a 
member of the llaneock l,iidi;-(_-, Xn. ;;j, 
A. !•■. & A. M., and ..t the R.iyal Aivh tjiai) 
ter. lie is a Denioerat in politics, and is un- 
married. Mr. Lakin has a !;oo(l reputation lor 
honesty and intes;rity, and is hi-hlv esteemed 
b\- his townsmen. 



::^>r' MOS C. PI'XK, the popular editor ot 

h\ the Downsville AVre.v, was born June 
Jj\\ -'' 1S39. SO" of Orin and Lucinda 
^-^ (^Goslee) Peck. Orin Peck was 
born I'ebruary 4, 1802, and was thi; son of 
Amos Peck, who came to Greene County 
about the beginning of the century, and [)ur- 
chased two hundred acres of land. He and 
his wife raised a family of seven children: 
namely, Orin, Levi, Charles, .Munson. Mar\-, 
Jane, and Lydia, all of whom are now dead 
but Lydia, who lives in Connecticut, and is 
the widow of Alfred Peck. 

Orin Peck grew to manhood on the farm, 
and was educated in the county schools, work- 
ing on the farm during his youth. When 
twenty-four years old, he married Lucinda 
(loslee; and they had the following children : 
Pamelia anti Delia, who ;ire now dead; New- 
ton G., who is a farmer in Schohai'ie County: 
Amanda, wife of A. Rathbone, of Davenport, 
Delaware County; and Amos C, the suliject 
of this sketch. Orin Peck had a farm of two 
hundred acres in Greene County, and li\ed 
there until 1848, when he sold out. antI re- 
moved to Delaware Coimty, buying a farm of 
one hundred acres at Harper.sfieUI. Here he 
dwelt for twenty years, at the end of which 
time he disposecl of his Ilarperstield property. 
He then purchased a home in .Stamford, where 
he spent his old age, and died at the age of 
seventy-five years. His wife passed away 
December 12. i86v 

Amos Peck was born in (jreene County, 
and grew to manhood at his father's home, 
receiving his education at the district schools. 
After five years spent in agricultural pursuits 
at the old homestead, he bought a farm of one 
hundred acres in his native town, where he 
spent the ne.xt five years of his life. He then 



soM his I, inn, and slailed Ailh .\. W. Clark 
the newsjiaper called the Jefferson U',,l/y. 
In 1S75. having disposed of his interest in 
that enteri^rise, ctmiing to Downs\illi-, he 
started the Downsville ,\'< ri'.v. ihis (taper is 
one ot the most interesting local sheets in the 
vicinity, h:is a large circuhiti(jn, ami is highlv 
spoken of by ;dl its subscribers and I'^ailers. 

Mr. Peek married Kate, dau^iiter of Ldward 
and Mary .Ann (Heard) \'oung. Ldw;ird 
\'oung was born in 1 So^, on Long island, and 
came to .Schoharie County when he was yet ;i 
\iiung man. He was a carpenter and farmer, 
and was the fatlier of seven children - ]'oll\-. 
P'lizabeth, Kate, Cyntliia, .Sarah, I.vdia, Hat- 
tie. Sar.ih is the wife of James H. Hubb.ird, 
Lydia wife of Stejihen Dayton, and H:ittie the 
wife of .Stei)hen Matice, all of Jefferson. Mr. 
and Mrs. Amos Peck have two children : Ld- 
ward. born I)eceniber j^, 1867; and (leorge. 
born October i, 1X70, both living in Downs- 
ville. 

Mr. Peck is a Democrat, and a member of 
the HajHist church, while his wife is an ad- 
herent to the faith of the Methodist ilpiscopal 
church. He is a man widelv known through 
the [jages of his excellent paper, and enjovs 
the acquaintance and esteem of a large circle 
of his fellow-citi/ens. 




WILL S. DIPHLL was born in Dav- 
I 1 en|iort Centre, Delaware Countv, 

\^ J on Seiitember 6, 1S62. The grand- 
|xirents of Mr. Dibble were from 
Schoharie County, and the grandfather was a 
large land-owtier in that section. He was a 
Republican, and a meniber of the Methodist 
I'.piscopal church, and lived to be quite old. 
He left four sons and one daughter — Lewis, 
Daniel. Bruce, Simon, and .Anna Liza. 

Simon Dibble was liorn in .Scholiarie, Sep- 
tember 16. 1815. He left home when a lad 
of fifteen years, and at nineteen bought a 
lu)tel in Blenheim, which he kept for several 
years. Selling out his Blenheim propertv, he 
engaged in farming in ^K■redith. He now 
rents this place, and lives a cpiite restful life. 
He is a Re]>ublican, and has been .Supervisor 
and Town Clerk for a good many years. He 
married Miss Anna Davis, a daughter of N'e- 



646 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



hemiah and Charlotte Davis, and one of a 
family of five chiklien — Anna, Fred, John, 
Joel, and Mary. Nehemiah Davis served in 
the war of the Revolution, and lived to be 
seventy-eight years old. His wife almost 
completed a century, dying in her ninety- 
third year. Simon Dibble was the father of 
a dozen sons and daugliters, namely: Mary, 
the widow of William Smith, now living in 
Davenport Centre with her two children; 
Catherine O., who lives at home; Hartley H., 
who married Helen Kenyon, a farmer of 
Meredith; Roderick, a farmer of Meredith, 
who married Miss Nellie Gregory, and has 
two children; Frederick, a merchant in On- 
tario, who married and has one child; Fannie, 
the wife of John Gregory, of Bloomville; Car- 
rie, who married Mr. W'infield Sheldon, a 
farmer of Meredith, and has four children; 
Charles, a policeman, who married Miss Cath- 
erine Simion; Daniel, of whom this is a per- 
sonal record; Jennie, who married Jilr. Hasted 
Moore, a merchant in Oneonta, and has two 
children; Olive, the wife of Hiram Frisbee, 
a farmer of Bloomville; Jolin, also a farmer 
of Bloomville, who married Miss Mary Jerow. 
Daniel S. Dibble began early in life to 
earn a support for himself, delivering milk on 
board the Schuyler steamers on the Hudson, 
when a little boy of thirteen. When he grew 
older, he superintended a farm at Walford for 
four years, after which he bought a farm of 
two hundred acres of land near Meredith, 
where he kept a dairy. Fight years ago he 
came to Griffin's Corners, and here estab- 
lished a general grocery store and a livery 
stable. In 1887 he w.as married to Miss Fan- 
nie J. Payne, a daughter of John II. and Julia 
(Shafer) Payne. Mr. and Mrs. Payne had two 
other children, namely: Minnie, now Mrs. 
Abraham Quick; and George, who died in his 
youth. Mr. and Mrs. Dibble have one child, 
who was born on the 8th of August, 1892. 
Mr. Dibble is a Republican in political con- 
viction, and is a man of liberal religicnis views. 



/iTo 



FORGE A. EVANS, innkeeper, 
\ •) I owner of the Bloomville Hotel, was 
^ — born May 26, 1853, in the village of 
Sidney Centre, and is the son of Oscar and 



Jane M. (Brown) Evans. He is a great- 
grandson of Levi Evans, who was among the 
first settlers of Unadilla, Otsego County, and 
was a soldier in the War of 1812. 

Orrin Evans, son of Levi, spent the greater 
part of his time in the town of Sidney, and 
was a hard worker. He owned a good farm of 
about one hundred and seventy-five acres, and 
he had but one child, Oscar. Orrin Evans 
and his wife died in the town of Masonville, 
at George Evans's home, he at eighty-seven 
years of age, and she at seventy-eight. Orrin 
was a liberal in his religious views, and politi- 
cally a Democrat. 

Oscar Evans, son of Orrin, owned a farm of 
two hundred acres in the town of Sidney, 
where he carried on quite extensively general 
farming and dairying. He is now a retired 
farmer, living in the village of Sidney Centre. 
His wife died November 12, 1893, at the age 
of sixty -four. She was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, while he is a 
liberal in religion, and in politics a Demo- 
crat. They had two children: George A., of 
whom this sketch is written; and a daughter, 
Delia, who is the wife of Edward Harris, and 
resides in Binghamton. 

George A. Evans was educated in the dis- 
trict schools. He gave his attention to 
farming, and lived at home until he was 
twenty-one years of age, when he bought a 
farm of one hundred acres in the town of 
Masonville. Here he lived for six years, 
then sold it and bought a more extensive farm 
of two hundred and forty acres, where he re- 
sided for six years, carrying on general farm- 
ing and dairying. In 1887 he sold out again, 
and engaged in the livery business at One- 
onta, and also ran a stage for four y(;ars from 
Grand Gorge to Catskill. In January, 1889, 
he gave up the livery business, and came to 
Bloomville, buying the Bloomville Hotel, 
which he has successfully numaged. It is an 
exceptionally good public house, well heated 
by furnaces and stoves, with accommodations 
for fifty guests. He has remodelled and im- 
proved it, and does a flourishing business, 
keeping in connection therewith an excellent 
livery stable. 

November 3, 1875, he was married to Han- 
nah Goodrich, who was born in the town of 



BIOGRAl'HKAI, RKVIKW 



'17 



Davcnpurt, daui^litcr ul C. W'. (idudrich. a 
farmer anil blacksmith. Hi»th of licr parents 
have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. E\ans have 
had five children, but four of whom are now 
livinj;: namely, Olive W., Minnie. I'rank, 
and Hazel, who are all at home. One son, 
Walter, died at the ai;c of ei,i;ht years. 

George A. Evans is liberal in his religious 
views, and his wife is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church at Bloomville. lie 
supports the Democratic party, and is a mem- 
ber of Delaware Valley Lodge, Independent 
Order of Odd I'ellows, No. 612. He is an 
honored citizen of the town of Masonville, 
and has held various public offices, serving 
one term as Collector, and has gainetl the 
respect of his fellow-citizens. 




Hi:XRV IH RI-I:E, the energetic 
and popular proprietor of the Can- 
nons\ille House, Cannonsville, 
X.Y., was born in this village, and has re- 
sided here all his life, being of the fourth 
generation cjf Durfees, who have made their 
home in the.se parts. His great-grandfather, 
Thomas Durfee, was a native of Connecticut 
and an early settler of Delaware County. 
Tradition does not disclose the location of his 
first settlement here: but after his marriage 
to his second wife, a daughter of .Squire Can- 
non, he occupied a jiortion of the Cannon es- 
tate, residing thereon until his death. 

His son, also named Thumas. was born in 
Cannonsville, and learned the trade of a 
blacksmith, but later became a Baptist 
preacher and removed to Philadelphia, where 
he was engaged in church work for several 
years. He then returned to Cannonsville, 
where he died at the age of eighty years. 
His wife, IClsie Randall, died here at the age 
of ninety years. .Stejihen, son of Thomas 
Durfee, jr.." like his father, learned the black- 
smith's trade, which, however, he did not fol- 
low long, but during the war was a sutler and 
Provost Marshal. lie afterward kept a pub- 
lic house in Cannonsville. where he died in 
1867, at the age of fifty-four years. His wife 
was Antoinette .Smith, who was born in Can- 
nonsville, a daughter of Abner Smith, a 
native of the same village. 



Ai)ner .Smith's l.ither, (■;deli .Smitli, was 
i)(jrn in tiie western part ol khdije Island, and 
resitle<l in that vicinity till 1799, when, ac- 
companied by his wife am! child, lie immi- 
grated to Delaware County. He purchased .t 
tract of limber land mnv included in the vil- 
lage of Cannonsville, and, im|)roving the- 
water-power, erected a saw and grist mill, en- 
gaging extensively in Iuml)eriiig and farming. 
Here he lived until liis dcatli at the age n\ 
eighty-seven years. He marriet! Iluldah Cot- 
trell, who was b(M'n in Connecticut, near the 
Riiode Island line, anil livetl U> i)e eight v-five 
years of age. Mr. and Mrs. L'aleb Smith 
reared a large family, their lirst cluKl lieing 
born in 179S, and now resides in Madison. 
Wis., in her ninety-si.xth \ear. Their son 
Abner, the father of Mrs. -Stejihen Durfee. 
spent iiis entire life in Cannonsville, where he 
was engaged in farming and lumbering for 
many years, and later was empli)\ed at the 
shoemaker's trade, dying at the age of fifty 
years. His wife was Marian Kelsey, daugh- 
ter of James Kelsey, wlio was a native of 
Massachusetts. When (|uite young, James 
Kelsey, accompanied by Martin Lane, started 
for the Ear West, as New \'ork was considered 
at that time, with a ]xiir of oxen and a cart: 
and here he purclnised a tract of timber land 
two miles below the village of Cannonsville, 
emploving himself in farming and lumbering. 
His wife was Avis Hoag, who died at the age 
of fortv-six \ears. 




648 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Delhi, and there died when sixty-three years 
old. His widow, surviving him, lived to the 
age of threescore and four years. They were 
persons of great moral worth, and devout 
members of the United I'rcsyterian Church of 
Delhi. In politics he affiliated with the Re- 
publican party. They reared six children, 
namely: R. A. S. McNee, a farmer of Delhi; J. 
Frederic; William G. ; Daniel A. and Maggie 
J., of Delhi; and Elizabeth, who died in 1867. 
The subject of this sketch was educated in 
the schools of Hamden and Delhi, and re- 
mained with his parents until about fourteen 
years old, when he went to live with his aunt 
Agnes Holmes, in the town of Delhi. He 
began his life as a wage-earner by working as 
a farm laborer at four dollars a month, and 
continued thus employed some ten years, his 
wages being increased as the years passed by. 
Being industrious and economical, he accumu- 
lated quite a sum of money, and was then 
enabled to buy a farm, selecting one in the 
town of Delhi, on which he pursued general 
farming for seven years. In 1876 Mr. McNee 
sold that property; and four years later he 
moved to Bovina Centre, taking up his trade 
as a mason and a plasterer. 

The union of Mr. McNee with Miss Eu- 
phemia F. Doig, a native of Bovina, and the 
descendant of one of its most respected fam- 
ilies, being a daughter of William and Jane 
(Forest) Doig, was solemnized February 25, 
1875. Her father, the son of Walter Doig, 
was born in Scotland in 1808, and died in the 
village of Bovina, April 7, 1871; and her 
mother, who was born in 181 1, died February 
28, 1864. Both were connected with the 
Presbyterian church, in which he faithfully 
served as Elder for many years. They reared 
a family of nine children, of whom Mrs. 
James William Coulter and Mrs. McNee are 
the only ones now living. The deceased are 
as follows: Jane, born January 26, 1836, 
died July 29, 1855. Walter, born March 26, 
1837, died January 9, 1894. William F., 
born November 28, 1840, studied for the min- 
istry, but died before com])leting his theolog- 
ical course. Margaret, born February lo, 
1843, died March 10, 1847. Mary S., born 
July 4, 1845, died March 30, 1847. Mary J., 
born March, 1847, and Andrew, born June 4, 



1849, are deceased. Mrs. Coulter was the 
third child in order of birth, and Mrs. McNee 
was the youngest member of the parental 
household. 

The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. McNee 
has been completed by the birth of four chil- 
dren; namely, William F., Nellie J., Celora 
L., and James L. The family are regular 
attendants of the United Presbyterian church, 
of which Mrs. McNee has been a member for 
the past twenty years. Politically, our sub- 
ject sustains the principles of the good old 
Republican party, and has served his fellow- 
townsmen as Collector two years, and is now 
serving his fourth year as Constable. 



AMES A. SHAW was born in the town 
of Hamden, May 17, 1864. His 
grandfather, William Shaw, came to 
this country from Scotland, and es- 
established himself in Terry Clove. He and 
his wife, Margaret McDonald, and their 
children — Jane, Alexander, William, Don- 
ald, Sarah, Catherine, and June — are all now 
deceased. William and Margaret Shaw were 
remarkably pious people, and reared their 
children in the fear and admonition of the 
Lord, and within the fold of the Presbyterian 
church, to which they both belonged. 

James H. Shaw, the father of James A., 
whose name heads this memoir, was born at 
Terry Clove, where he grew up and was edu- 
cated. At an unusually early age he started 
out in business for himself, and bought land 
at different times until he was possessor of 
one hundred and sixty acres. This was sold, 
and the money invested in a place in Ham- 
den, whither he now moved, and where he re- 
mained during the remainder of his life. His 
wife, Adelia C. Conklin, belonged to one of 
the oldest families in Coles Clove, where her 
parents, Ambrose and Phcebe Conklin, were 
large landed proprietors. There were six 
children in the Conklin family: Adelia; 
William; John R. ; Jane; James E., a farmer 
in Colchester; and Ansel, who lives at home. 
Mrs. Conklin still lives at the old homestead; 
and, though past the limit of fourscore years, 
she retains her faculties and her health to a 
remarkable degree. 



BIOG RAPH ICAL KKV 1 K\V 



'•40 



James A. Sliaw passctl llic college course 
successfully at llaniden, and at twentv-two 
years of age took eniploymeiit witli lieard 
Brothers, railroad hriil^x- builders, with wlioni 
he remained for five years, soon heconiiiii; 
foreman and taking' contracts for work on 
some of the largest liraw-bridges in the I'nited 
States, including the iiridge over the Thames 
at New London, Conn., one in Wheeling, W. 
Va., one in St. Louis, and one in Louisville, 
Ky. Returning to Delaware County, he 
bought a house and lot in Downsville: and, 
building an addition to the dwelling, lie 
opened a furnitiu'e store and undertaker's 
establishment. .A steam-engine is used in 
connection with his planing and hmiber 
matching, in wliich he is extensivel)' engaged. 

On March 22, 1S93, he was married to 
Miss Eva i\L Lindsley, a daughter of Ira I), 
and Jerusha (\Vils(jn) LindsU-y. The young 
wife's father was born April 30, i8j8, anil is 
a farmer in Downsxille, whei'e he has held the 
office of Justice of the Peace. He is a Re- 
publican. James and i^'a -Shaw have one 
child, born April 23, 1894. Mr. Sliaw is a 
Republican, and belongs to the Masonic 
Order, being a niemher ot I'oughkeepsie 
Lodge, No. 266. 



-AMl'.S A. POMEKCJV is extensively 
engaged in general farming and dairy- 
ing ill the town of Sidney, where he 
was born October 3, 1S37. His par- 
ents were .Abner and Hester A. ( R.igers) 
Pomeroy. 

Abner Pomeroy was the son of Joseph Pom- 
eroy, a farmer, and a soldier in the War of 
1812, who spent his entire life in the old Uiiy 
State, dying there at eighty years of age. He 
and his' wife had a large family of children, 
Abner being among the older ones. He, 
being of an adventurous turn of mind and 
desirous of acquiring landed property, re- 
moved to Delaware County, bringing his wife 
and family. He settled at first in the town of 
Franklin, but a few years later, in 1818, came 
to Sidney, and bought one hundred and ten 
acres of wiUl and heavily timbered land. He 
built a log house, which the family occupied 
for several years, and witli the assistance of 



his sons redeemed a goodly siiare ol ids lam! 
from the wilderness. lie suiisccnienlly sold 
that farm, and liought a smaller one in the 
same town: and un this lie and his wife 
passeil the remainder of their li\es, she dying 
at the age of seventy-two years, while he 
lived to the age of eighty. lie reared a fam- 
ily of seventeen children, four by his first 
marriage, and thirteen jjy his second. In 
politics he was a stanch Democrat, and served 
as lligliway Commissioner and as Assessor. 
He was liberal in his religious views, and his 
wife was a Baptist. 

James A. Pomerov, the eldest child of his 
father's second marriage, obtained his educa- 
tion in the ilistrict schools, and remained an 
inmate of the parental household until twenty- 
three years of age. When beginning life for 
himself, he worked by tlie month for a short 
time, then, buying sixty acres of land, com- 
menced farming, and in course of time added 
forty more acres to his original purchase. He 
finally sold that jjlace at an advantage, and in 
1873 bought the farm where he now resides. 
It consists of one hundred and seventy acres, 
which he has placed in a gofxl state of cult- 
ure, and further improved by the erecti(jn ot 
commodious farm buildings, liis barn, which 
was erected in 1S85, l>eing eighty feet long 
by fifty feet wide, and capable of accommodat- 
ing seventy or eighty head of cattle. Mr. 
Pomerov makes a siiecially of stock-raising, 
and has one of the finest herds of cattle in the 
county, consisting of about sixty head of full- 
blooded and recorded cattle, his favorite breed 
being the Devons. His sales of milk, from 
about thirtv-five cows, average one hundred 
and twentv-five dollars a month. Mr. Pom- 
erov is giving his close attention to his tann- 
ing interests, and has but little time to devote 
to political matters, but uniformly support> 
the Democratic party. He takes an intelli- 
gent interest in local affair-, and has served as 
Assessor three years. 

The union of Mr. PoninuN with .Miss Sarah 
Palmer was solemnized November 21, 1S60. 
Mrs. Pomeroy was born in Franklin, .•\ugu?,t 
20, 1835, being a daughter ol George antl .Me- 
lissa (Hovt) Palmer, neither of whom is now 
living. Mr. Palmer was a successful farmer 
of Franklin, and he and his wife were num- 



6so 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



bcred among its most respected citizens. The 
following are the three children of Mr. and 
Mrs. Pomeroy: Irving L., a farmer, married, 
and residing in the town of Sidney; Minnie 
M., the wife of Alfred Reynolds, of Coopers- 
town; Amasa J., a farmer, residing at home. 
Mr. Pomeroy and his excellent wife are faith- 
ful and valued members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. 



/^TeORGE E. SCOTT, a highly re- 
\ '•) I spected farmer and a resident of his 

— native town of Kortright, was born 
August 28, 1835. His parents, George L. 
and Eleanor (Hendrickson) Scott, were both 
natives of this State, his father having been 
born in Westchester County, and his mother 
in Long Island. His paternal grandfather, 
Elijah Scott, came to Kortright about the 
year 1788. As soon as he had cleared an 
opening, he erected a log cabin, which was 
for many years the family dwelling. He im- 
proved a homestead, on which he lived until 
gathered to his long rest, after a long life 
full of usefulness and activity. 

The father of our subject was the only son 
of his parents that grew to maturity. He was 
a young boy when he came to Kortright, 
where he afterward resided, succeeding his 
father in the ownership of the farm. He was 
a successful and well-to-do farmer, at the time 
of his decease, August 16, 1866, owning one 
hundred and sixty-four acres of good land. 
His wife outlived him many years, passing 
away April 13, 1890, in the eighty-third year 
of her age. Neither was connected with any 
church by membership; but he was a firm be- 
liever in the Universalist faith, and her relig- 
ious views coincided with the doctrines of the 
Methodist I-^piscopal church. They were the 
parents of six children, three of whom died 
when young, two dying in infancy, and Mary 
when thirteen years old. Three are now liv- 
ing, namely: F,lizabeth, the wife of James 
Dougherty, of Oneonta; George E. ; and 
Charles W., a farmer, residing on the old 
homestead. 

George E. Scott has spent his entire life 
amid the scenes in which he was reared, ob- 
taining a good common-school education and 



a thorough drilling in agricultural work. He 
remained a member of the parental household 
many years, assisting in the management of 
the home farm, and looking after the welfare 
of his parents when the burden of years began 
to bear upon them. He is now the owner of 
an excellent farm of seventy-five well-im- 
proved acres, amply supplied with a shapely 
and substantial set of farm buildings. 

To Mr. Scott and his wife two children 
have been born, namely: Fanny, who died at 
the early age of nine years; and Marshall, a 
stenographer, residing in Mauch Chunk, Pa. 
From his early boyhood Mr. Scott has been 
reared to habits of industry and economy, and 
he has all his life pursued a course in accord- 
ance with his early teachings. He has thus 
become a good citizen, promptly meeting his 
various obligations, and taking an interest in 
the welfare of the community. Politically, 
he is a sound Democrat; and, religiously, 
both he and his wife are liberal Christians. 




RAM A. ALLEN, Deputy Sheriff 
of Delaware County, is numbered 
among the most trustworthy and es- 
teemed citizens of the town of Han- 
cock, in which he resides. He was born and 
reared a farmer's son, his birth occurring in 
the town of Hancock in the year 1861, his 
parents being Myron W. and Mary E. (Fel 
ton) Allen, both natives of Schoharie County. 
Mr. Allen is of English extraction, his great- 
grandfather on the paternal side having mi- 
grated from England with his wife and seven 
sons, and settled in the town of Summit, 
Schoharie County. One of his sons, Ezra, 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was 
but a boy when he came to this country with 
his parents. On reaching years of maturity, 
he married a Miss Mitchell, of Schoharie 
County; and of the children born to them is 
given the following record: Edwin and Eras- 
tus were among the band of enterprising and 
venturesome men who sought the gold fields 
of California in 1849; but, unlike the major- 
ity, they were successful in their ventures, 
the latter remaining there, successfully en- 
gaged luitil his death in 1865, while Edwin 
removed from that State to New Mexico, 



RIOGRAIMIICAI, KF.VIKW 



r.-i 



wlvjrc liis (Icatli nccuncd in iSSij. Mvimi 
\V. is the lather ol Mr. Allen ol tliis notiir. 
Ezra and William arc thrivinn ai;ricuUiirists, 
residing- in Sciioharic County; and Davitl, a 
mason, lives in the same count)'. I'he par- 
ents of these children were well-to-do larmers 
of high moral character and good social stand- 
ing in their community. Both were helievers 
in the doctrines of the Ha|)tist cluwch : and 
the mother, who survived her husbanil nianv 
vears, almost rounded out a full century, li\- 
ing to celebrate her nim.'tv-eighth l)irthdav. 

I\I\ron \V. Allen, who was l,orn in iSj". 
was reareil to agricultural lahm'. and was fm- 
man\' \'ears engaged as a tiller of the soil in 
the town of Hancock. 1 le has more recenth' 
become interested in mercantile pursuits, an<i 
is now a successful merchant in Binghan.iton, 
X.V. F"rom his union with Mis> l-"eltfin, 
which was solemnized in KS54. four children 
were born, all of whom are occui-tying useful 
positions in the world, and acguitting them- 
selves as faithful citizens, the fed lowing being 
a brief reconl: Rosa, who married William 
ICberts, a dealer in real estate, residing in 
Hinghamton ; George A., a successful i)raclis- 
ing ]5hysician, of Hancock; Hiram A., whose 
name apjiears above; and Theron J-]., wlu> is 
agent for the l-"argo & Wells Mxjjress Com- 
pany, and resides in Hinghanitun, X.\'. 

Hii'am A. Allen obtained his education in 
the puldic schools of .^ulli\'an and Delaware 
Counties, and, wlu'U eighteen years old, learned 
the cooper's trade, which he followed continu- 
ousl\- for ten vears. most ot the time in the 
town of Hancock. I-'ebruitry 3. 1S86. he mar- 
ried Miss Debbie I-".. Richart. tlu-ir nuptials 
being celebrateil in Dushore, .Sullivan County, 
Pa., at the residence of her parents, John and 
Margaret (Maben) Richarl. Thiee children 
ha\-e l)een born to Mr. and .Mrs. Allen, one of 
whom, a lo\ely child of one and a half years, 
was taken from earth when '"life and lox'e 
were new," ])assing awa\' in tlu- puritv and 
innocence of ciiiklhood. .\ son and daughter 
remain to brighten the family circle : Harry. 
a bright and active lad of seven years; and 
{•'va, a little girl not yet two years old. 

Mr. Allen is a man of sterling character, 
and is a faithful supporter of the Republican 
jiartv. In 1SS8 he was elected to the office of 




Deputy .Sheriff, and has served his constitu- 
ents with conspicuous abilitv. lie is still 
ijuile ;i young man ; and his personal friends, 
ol whom he has a leL;iiin, preilicl for him a 
brilliant future. lie is active in promoting 
and advancing all enterprises for the gocid of 
his c<jmmunity, ;ind is in truth :i piihlic- 
si)irited citizen. His eslim.ible wife, who 
shares with him the uni\-ersal regard of her 
neighbors ;ind friends, is a consistent member 
of the Hai)tist church. 



RlllCR (i. I'A ITJ-.RSoN. ;ittorney 
and counselliir-:it-l;iw, who is eng;iged 
in the practice of his chosen |:iro- 
tession in the village ol W;ilton, 
\.\'.. w.is born at W;ilton, l-"ebruarv 22, 
1868. He is of -Scotch-Irish descent, ;ind 
[jossesses manv of those (.pialities which would 
tend not only to make a successful practi- 
tiriner at the bar, Init a wortlu' and useful 
citizen. 

His l:ithei', Geoi'ge Patterson, was born neai' 
IPiwiik, .Scotland, in 1835. and seventeen 
years later came to this countrw He was the 
son of Archibald i'atterson. ;uul one of a fam- 
ily of seven children, the names of the others 
being Robert H.. P'.llen. John, Walter M., 
Agness, and James, ;ill of whom settled in 
Dehiware Coimt\' excejit ICllen. who married 
and remained in Scotland. i le bec:ime natu- 
ralized in i85(_). and cast his first vr)te for 
Abraham Lincoln, in pursuance of whose call 
he wore the blue for three years and nine 
months, serving in the lughth Independent 
Battery of New York \'olunteers. Returning 
to Delaw;ire Count\ at the chise of the war. 
he resumed the civic tluties of life; and on 
the sixth day of March. 1867, he married 
Anna Aloore, and settled on ;i farm about four 
miles from the vilLage of Walton, where he 
has since resided. Ten years later the de;ith 
angel crossed the threshold of their hajipy 
home, and the loved wife and tenrler mother 
was borne to the realms of the blessed, leav- 
ing the widowed huslxmd with six children. 
His secontl marriage, which occurred in iSSi, 
w.is with Miss I'".mma Waters; and of the six 
children born of their union, three are now 
living; nanielv. Kittie, Robert, and Bessie. 



6s2 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



In politics he is a standi Rei)ublican, and a 
man who keeps abreast of the times in the 
affairs of his country. 

His mother, Anna' (Moore) Patterson, was 
the daughter of James Moore, who with his 
wife Elizabeth came to this country from Ire- 
land about 1835, and settled on a farm in the 
town of Hamden, N.Y., where they resided 
for nearly fifty years. She had three brothers 
and three sisters; namely, Thomas, Jane, 
Joseph, Elizabeth, William, and Margaret, 
all of whom are now dead except William 
and Margaret, who reside at Walton, N.Y. 
Before her marriage she taught a district 
school in various parts of the towns of Ham- 
den, Colchester, and Walton. .She was a 
woman of many noble qualities of heart and 
mind, highly respected by all, and a zealous 
Christian. She died at the age of thirty-six 
years, March 10, 1877. 

His three brothers and two sisters — 
namely, Lizzie, William M., George W., 
Alvin J., and Anna M. — all reside at 
Walton, excejit Anna, who lives at Delhi, 
N.Y. Lizzie, who was the first to enter the 
state of matrimony, married George Marvin, 
Jr., and resides about two miles from the vil- 
lage of Walton. 

The subject of this sketch spent his early 
life at his father's home on the farm, where 
the characteristics of industry and frugality 
were so instilled into him, not only by pre- 
cept and example, but by required practice, 
that early he came to realize what was meant 
by the stern realities of life. I-'rom the time 
he was old enough to help his father on the 
farm until he was twenty-one years of age, 
from six to eight months of the year was spent 
on the farm. Having improved his opportu- 
nities for obtaining an education, when seven- 
teen years of age he received a license to 
teach school; and his first term as teacher was 
in the same school he had always attended. 
Thereafter he attended the Walton Union 
School, and taught school alternately, being 
very successful as a teacher, having taught at 
different times the three largest schools in the 
town of Walton outside of the village. 

In 1890 he was the successful candidate in 
the Cornell University scholarship competi- 
tive examination held for Delaware County; 



and, at the opening of the school in Septem- 
ber of that year, he entered Cornell Univer- 
sity School of Law, from which he graduated 
June 16, 1892, receiving the degree of LL.B. 
Entering upon an ofifice clerkship in the law 
ofifice of the Hon. A. H. Sewall, County 
Judge, he remained with him until he was ad- 
mitted to the bar, which occurred November 
25, 1893. 

Mr. Patterson is a Republican in ]iolitics, 
and a member of the United Presbyterian 
church. In 1893 he was elected Justice of 
the Peace by a handsome majority, in which 
capacity he has served his town now for about 
one year, during which time about sixty per- 
sons charged with the commission of crime 
have been before him, besides a large number 
of civil actions. As a court, he has proved 
himself an apt discerner, wholly unbiassed by 
fear or favor, inspiring at the same time the 
confidence of the people and the respect of 
those who come before him. 

In his legal profession his industry and ap- 
plication are guarantees of success, and his 
steadily increasing practice shows the confi- 
dence of his clients in his ability. We pre- 
dict for him genuine success. 




ILBERT BOGART, a veteran of the 
'*) I Grand Army of the Republic, now 
peacefully engaged in general hus- 
bandry and dairying in the town of Mason- 
ville, Delaware County, N.Y., was born in 
Catskill, Greene County, January 23, 1823. 
His parents were Peter and Mary A. (Chides- 
ter) Bogart, his mother being a native of Cats- 
kill, his father of Dutchess County, where 
his grandfather was an early settler. The 
latter, Peter Bogart, Sr., was a soldier in the 
War of 18 1 2. He moved from Dutchess 
County to Catskill, Greene County, and set- 
tled on a farm which is now owned by lidgar 
Bogart, and which is located near the Catskill 
House. The land was then in a wild state. 
The elder Mr. Bogart cleared the farm and 
made a home for his family, although he only 
held a lease. He saw eighty-four years of 
life, most of them years of toilsome activity. 
His wife al.so labored and lived to a good old 
age. They were well-to-do people for those 




Gilbert Bosart. 



lUOGRAPMK^M, RF.VIKW r.jj 



clays, and reared a large family of ehildi-.h. under tiie Minim., .i,,, .mi. muim m. wmtn 

all of whom have now passed away. snows, eiearin,LC and plnii-hiMi;, plantin- and 

Peter Hogart, Jr.. grew to manhood in Cats- harvesting ami hniidiiig. an 1 that he has h-.-cn 

kill. He came to Delaware County in i.S^6, a good manager, are almndinllv indie at. ■(] hv 

several years after his marriage, making the the appearance nf iiis weil-lilir<l liidds and the 

journey with teams, and bringing his wife and excellent condilinn nt his nc-atlv-kepi prern- 

family and all his worldly effects. He ises. He made successive purchases till al 

bought at first fifty acres of heavily tind^ered one time he owneil twu lumdre<l and thirty 

land, and, making a small clearing, built a acres. He now owns nne hundred and thirtv, 
house for their home. A man of push and , on which he has made all the improvements, 

thrift, he worked hanl, was financially sue- He has devnted much attentimi to dairving, 

cessful, and bought moic land till he |m)S- keeping sometimes as many as fortv-live head 

sessed a farm of one humlred and sixty acres, of cattle. He now has thirlv. 

He was a member of the Baptist church, and A true jiatriot, Mr. Hogart enlisted in .Se|)- 

in politics was an adherent of the Republican tember, 1861, to helj) quell the .Southern 

party. He died on his homestead at the age Rebellion. He served in C"nmpan\- !•". .Sixtv- 

of eighty-one, his wife having preceded him first New York N'olunteer Infantrv, under 

to the silent land at about sixty years of age. Captain David Jackson, and was in the cam- 

Of their thirteen children six are now living, paign of Raj^pahannnck, and in the siege of 

as follows: Henjamin H(.)gart. a farmer in .Sul- Yorktown, and in several other engagements, 

livan Count}'; Gilbert, of Masonville; James, enduring fatigues and hardships to the detri- 
a farmer occupying the ]:iaternal homestead at ' ment of his health. He was honorably dis- 

1-Iast Masmuille: Sarah, wife of J. Henry charged on account of disabilitv in iS^j; ;ind 

Beach, residing with her brother Gilbert; in August, 1S64, here-enlisted in the Ivngi- 

.■\bram and Jeremiah, farmers in the town of neer Corps, in which he served until he was 

Sidney. mustered out, after the close of the war, July 

In the district schools of the town of Cats- 4, I.S65. at Hilton Head. His experiences in 

kill, where (nibert resided till thirteen yc.irs the army resulted in permanent injury to his 

of age, he recei\ed his first schooling. He health. He is a meml)er of the Grand .\rmy of 

was quick to learn, and made rapid progress the Republic, Post \o. iSo, ot Mason\-ille. 



m his studies, which he continued in Dela- Mr. Bogart was married, September i. 
ware County after coming here with his par- 1847, to Hannah M. Beach, who was born in 
ents. Teaching one term of schotd in Connecticut, March ;?o, 1S2J. They have 
I'ennsvlvania was a part of his juvenile had five children, only one of whom now sur- 
experience. Ambitious, i)usbing, and self- vives. Will K. Bogart, horn July ;i, iS'^. 
reliant, he started in life for himself at six- He received his elementary education at Ivist 
teen, and gave his father forty dollars a year Masonville, and at Walton, anci then at Co|- 
from that time till he was of age. He had gate University. Hamilton, Madison (."ounty. 
worked out for a while on a farm not far from N.Y., where he is now studying for the min- 
home for eight dollars a month. Thinking to istry. He was married March 11. 1SS5. to 
do better than this, he went back to Greene Anna Fuller, a native of Masonville, daughter 
Countv, making the journey on foot, and of William Fuller, whose biography is con- 
worked there eight months. Returning then tained elsewhere in this volume. The other 
to Delaware Countv, he continued thus labor- children of ^fr. and Mrs. Gilbert Bogart were: 
ing bv the month till twenty-three years old. Amanda, who died :it three years of ;ige; Fllen. 
in 1846, when he was enabled to buy the farm who became Mrs. John Mattison. and died at 
of one hundred acres, where he now resides, the age of twenty-one years : Julia, Mrs. I-Izra 
paying fifty dollars down. A log house was Coon, who died at twenty-four years, leaving 
on' the place, only a few acres of which were three children - I. illie. Clarence. an<l Clara 
cleared. Mr. I5ogart has lived here nearly half - another son. Leon, having died : and .\delia 
a centurv. That he has toiled early and late, Bogart, who died at sixteen years. 



6s6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Mrs. Hannah M. Bogart, wife of Gilbert 
Bogart, died May 12, 1894. She was a thor- 
oughly estimable woman, and a member of the 
Baptist church, as is her husband. Mr. Bo- 
gart is a Republican in politics, and has al- 
ways taken an active interest in the welfare 
and progress of his town. He has served four 
years as Poor Master. 

On another page of the "Review " may be 
seen a portrait of this worthy and respected 
citizen. 



-OHX GRIl'l'lX, nt)w residing at Grif- 
fin's Corners, in Middletown, where he 
is well known and highly respected, was 
born eighty-six years ago in Fishkill, 
Dutchess County. N. V., son of Ezekiel and 
Charlotte (White) Griffin, and grandson of 
William Griffin, who came from luigland and 
settled on Long Island. At the time of the 
breaking-out of the Revolutionary War the 
grandfather owned a large property ; but, refus- 
ing to take up arms against his native country, 
his property was confiscated. After the war 
he removed to Westchester County, where he 
died, leaving four sons: William. Jr. ; Ezekiel ; 
.Solomon ; and John. 

Ezekiel was born on Long Island, but re- 
moved to Fishkill Mountain. In 1833 he 
came to Middletown, Delaware County, and 
invested in a farm of one hundred and fifty 
acres, now belonging to the Ik-njamin Crosby 
estate. He married Charlotte White, daugh- 
ter of John White, a prosperous farmer. This 
couple had these children — Eli, Murray G. , 
Joseph, John, Matthew, David, Eliza, Pamelia, 
and Alice. The father was a member of the 
Methodist Episco])al church, and an adherent 
of the Whig party. He lived to be seventy- 
two years old, his wife dying when she was 
fifty-eight years of age. 

John Griffin received his education in the 
district school of Fishkill ; and, after engaging 
in agricultural work for others for some twenty 
years, he at last purchased seventy-five acres of 
land in the town of Halcott, Greene County, 
where he lived for fifty years. His first wife 
was Hannah Miles, daughter of Isaac Miles; 
and they were blessed with nine children, as 
follows: Charlotte married Samuel Hassard, 



and went to Illinois. Daniel married Betsy 
Hosier, and resides in New York. Margaret 
is the wife of Levi Streeter, and lives in Min- 
nesota. Charles lives in Michigan. Phebe 
Jane married William Griffin, of Halcott. 
Lewis married, and made his home in Michi- 
gan. Clarissa became the wife of J. Barnum. 
David married Harriet Cole. William is also 
married. The mother of these children dying, 
Mr. Griffin married, in 1867, Martha Jane 
Munger, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth 
(Carpenter) Munger. Samuel was the son of 
John Munger, a Revolutionary patriot, and 
was born in Dutchess County. He lived to 
be forty-seven years old, his wife dying when 
thirty-four years of age, leaving si.\ children : 
Susan, who married John Frey ; Phebe C, who 
became the wife of Ci. B. Stone; Mary; James 
E. , who lives in Nebraska; . Henry J. ; and 
Martha J. In 1874 Mr. Griffin and his wife 
removed to Griffin's Corners. Here at Eto 
Cottage, pleasantly situated about seventeen 
hundred feet above tide-water, three-fourths of 
a mile from the railway station, forty rods from 
post-office and churches, Mr.s. Griffin accommo- 
dates summer boarders. Mr. Griffin has held 
many positions of trust, being appointed as 
Sheriff in Dutchess County, and is numbered 
in the ranks of the Republican party. In 
religion he is liberal in his views, advocating 
progress in thought as well as in action. 



OHN N. ARBCCKLE, the only son of 
the late Hon. Daniel T. Arbuckle, 
County Judge and Surrogate, is to-day, 
at the age of twenty-six years, one of 
the most prominent men in the town of Delhi, 
where he is conducting a large coal busines.s, 
is the owner of a flour and feed mill and an 
elevator, and is an extensive retail dealer in 
grain and feed. His entire life has been spent 
in this vicinity, his birth having occurred in 
Delhi, April 23, 1868. 

His grandfather, Nathaniel Arbuckle, a 
native of Scotland, emigrated to America at 
the age of eighteen, and for a few years worked 
upon a farm in Canada, l-'rom there he came 
to Delhi, where he purchased a partially 
cleared tract of land, and engaged in farming 
pursuits. He married, and reared a family of 



BIOGRAPHIfAI KFVIFW 



6S7 



six children, namely: .Maij;aret, wh.i married 
Henry Kiee. a farmer, of Delhi; William H. ■ 
James X. ; Daniel T. ; C. J. ; and Peter 1?.' 
He rounded mit a lull |)erii)d of seventy-five 
years; and his wife, who died at the hoiiK- of 
her son Daniel, lived to the ai;e of threescore 
and ten years. Both were faithful members 
of the Presbyterian church of Delhi. 

Daniel T. .\rbuckle obtained his elementarv 
education in the tlistrict schools of Delhi, and 
was fitted for college at the Delaware Academy. 
He entered I'nion College, and, after being- 
graduated from there, began the stuti\- of law 
with Colonel Robert Parker, of Delhi, an 
uncle of Judge Amasa j. Parker, of Albany. 
After his admission to the bar he began the 
jiractice of his profession in his native town, 
where he soon had an e.\tensi\e clientage, and 
continued in active jiractice until i.Sxf. when 
he was elected to the In-nch of the Couutv 
Court. Juilge Arbuckle retained this honored 
positiciii until iSSS, when bv reason uf con- 
tinued ill health he retireil from active life, 
ilis death occurred on .March 9, 1 .S94, at the 
age of tifty-.seven years. In memorv of his 
distinguished services as jurist and citizen 
the Delawai'e Count}' liar passed resolutions of 
res])ect and sympathy, nglith speaking of 
Judge Arbuckle as " haxing discharged his 
duties in all the various relations in life, not 
only in bis professional, but in his judicial 
career and in the ordinaix walk> of life, with 
great care, credit, honor, and hoiiestv"; pa\'^ 
ing a tribute to "his unswerxing integritv, his 
devotion to the interests of his clients and the 
discharge of public duties, his pain.staking meth- 
ods of business, his U[)riglilness of character, 
and pm-ity of heait" ; attesting "bis abilitv as 
a law_\-er, his fairness as a judge, .nul iiis worth 
as a citizen " ; dei)loring his earlv remo\al "at 
a time in life when there a]i|x-are(l to be nian\- 
years of usefulness before him, and the future 
for him looked bright and promising. A good 
man has passed awav ; a wise counsellor has 
gone to his reward ; a kind and devoted husband 
and father has been called to his eternal I'est ; 
a noble, upi'igbt, conscientious citizen has 
joined the great majoritw " 

Judge ArbuckK' married Elizabeth J. Peters,, 
who was one of si.\ children born to [ohn and 
Jane (Blakelev) Peters, of Bloomvifle. Mr. 



Peters, who i> .i bale and hearty man, well 
advanced in years, has been eng.iged in agricult- 
ur.il iKirsuits during his life, having been the 
owner of a good farm in Bhiomville, and also 
carried on a brisk trade in buying and selling 
butter. His wife long since passed to the 
better world. Judge and .Mrs. .Arbuckle 
reared three children, two daughters anil a son. 
1 he eldest, Agnes, who was graduated from 
\'assar College, is a teacher of rare ability. 
Jennie, the other daughter, is an able assistant 
to her brother, the subject of this sketch, in 
his extensive business, having entire charge of 
the lx)oks and accounts, and representing him 
in his absence. 

John .v. .Arbuckle was the first child born to 
his parents. He received a practical educa- 
tion, attending jirimarily the village school, 
and later the Delaware Academy. .At the age 
ol eighteen years he entered the pu.st-office as 
a clerk under Henry Davis, remaining there 
three year.s. Ibis not being a sufficiently 
active calling for one of his wide-awake anil 
alert business proclivities, he established him- 
selt as a dealer in coal. In iSgr, in companv 
with Mr. Penfield. he purcha.sed a mill, anil 
shortly afterward built the elevator and store- 
house, and in conjunction with his coal busi- 
ness dealt extensively in grain and feed. In 
.Sejitember, 189^. Mr. .Arbuckle purchased the 
interest of his jxutner, and has since continued 
in business alone. In p(ilitics Mr. .Arbuckle 
is a steadfast Deniocrat. Religiouslv, he 
belongs to the Presbyterian church, of' which 
he is a Trustee, and of which his mother is 
also an esteemed mendier. 

These three children are to .Mis. .Arbuckle a 
great hel|) and comfort, e.ich and all doing 
everything possible to make her ])athway a 
pleasant one. The family re>idence. which is 
beautilidly situated upon an eminence o\-er- 
looking the village, indicates in all of its 
appointments the exercise of cultivated tastes 
and ample means. 



i-)! .\k\i;\' B. M()Ri;.\L'S, a contractor 
1(1 liuilder. residing in Walton, 
wo]thil\ re|)re^ents the industrial 
interests of the town, and is one of 
those brave citizen soldiers to whom the 




6s8 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



country is so much indebted. Me was born 
in Oneonta, Otsego County, November 28, 
1841. 

Mr. Morenus comes of Revolutionary stoci<, 
and is one of the eleven children born to Will- 
iam and Polly (Wulf) Morenus, of whom the 
following grew to adult life: Caroline married 
(ieorge Hanford, and lived in Sidney, both de- 
ceased. Augusta married Samuel Seeley, and 
moved to Dakota, where her death occurred. 
I'Llizabeth is the wife of A. J. Knickerbocker, 
of Hancock. l-:iisha fir.st married Euphemia 
Hoyt, and after her death Martha Bonnell. 
Harvey B. is further mentioned below. Fran- 
ces married Miles Robinson, of Sidney. 
Henry W. married Amelia Groatevant. Kllen 
died in early womanhood. Margaret died when 
voung. DeWitt died in infancy. The parents 
removed to Sidney in 1845, the father there 
working at the carpenter's trade. In 1867 he 
removed with his family to North Walton, 
where he died in 1879. His widow survived 
him, and died in Oneonta. 

Harvey B. Morenus was reared and educated 
in Sidney Centre, attending the district schools 
until twelve years old, when he began to work 
with his father at carpentering. In July, 
1 86 1, he enlisted in the Third New York 
Cavalry, and was mustered into service on the 
19th of August, being soon ordered to Wash- 
ington. On October 21 he was in the battle 
of Ball's Bluff, and during the following win- 
ter was encamped at Poolesville, Md. In 
the s])ring his regiment was sent to Harper's 
Ferry, thence down to Winchester, where on 
March 12, 1862, it was engagetl in battle. 
The regiment was subsequently ordered to join 
Burnside's expedition at Newl)ern, N.C. , but 
(lid not reach there until after the capture of 
the city. May i, 1862. On the 15th the Third 
New York Cavalry occupied an im])ortant posi- 
tion at the frcmt in the engagement at Trent 
Road, and there Mr. Morenus was wounded in 
the right side, a ball striking his heavy Colt's 
revolver and shattering it in pieces, one of 
which entered his side, and another his arm, 
where it remained for twenty-seven years 
before being taken out. He was sent to the 
regimental hospital, but soon reported for duty, 
and was in the battle at Roll's Mills on No- 
vember 7, at Kin.ston, N.C, December 14, 



at White Hall the following day, and at 
Goldsboro on the i6th. 

Among the numerous other engagements in 
which he took part may be named the follow- 
ing. At the battle of Trent Road, March 14, 
1863, he was again womided, a musket ball 
passing through his left arm, disabling him to 
such an extent that he was given a furlough of 
thirty days. He rejoined his regiment, and 
was again in battle April 28, 1863, at Beland 
Cross-roads; at Warsaw, July 4; at Tarboro, 
July 20; at Peletier's Mills, April 16, 1864; 
at Chula Station, May 12, 1864, when he was 
wounded in the forefinger while carrying a 
comrade from the field; at Malvern Hill, July 
27; and from September 29 until October 7 he 
was at Johnson's Farm. During one of the 
skirmishes of those days Mr. Morenus, whose 
horse was shot from under him, captured the 
horse of Lieutenant Smith, who was killed, 
and succeeded in escaping his pursuers. On 
October 20, 1864, he was present at the battle 
of Charles City Pike, and on December 12 was 
at South Ouav. From there Mr. Morenus was 
sent to Norfolk, where he was placed on guard 
duty, and in July, 1865, he was mustered out 
of service as Duty Sergeant. 

Returning to Sidney Centre, Mr. .Morenus 
engaged in agriculture, but two years later sold 
his farm and entered into the mercantile busi- 
ness, which he carried on successfully for 
several years. In 1869 he was appointed Post- . 
master at Sidney Centre, and also Railway 
Commissioner, holding both offices until 1875, 
when he removed to Walton, in order that his 
children might have the benefit of its fine edu- 
cational facilities. He established himself in 
the village as a carpenter and builder, and by 
his enterprise and ability has secured a large 
and lucrative business. 

On September 27, 1865, Mr. Mcirenus was 
united in marriage with Elizabeth H. Bailey, 
who was born in Suffolk, Va. , January 23, 
1843, a daughter of James M. and Ann (Gynn) 
Bailey. Mr. Bailey was born April 15, 1799. 
By his union with Ann Gynn, December 31, 
1835, he had eight children, namely: Mary 
Ann, born September 29, 1836, died April 9, 
1863; .Sarah R.. born February i, 1838, died 
February 13, 1863; James M., born August 
22, 1839, an officer in the Confederate army, 



BIOGRAPHICAL RKVIKW 



'■■-.'I 



who died Aujiust «, 1.S64, Inmi wminds re- 
ceived at the i)lo\vin,t;-ii|) ol" the mine in Inml 
of i'elershurt;-; Martha I'"., hdiu laiuiarv 16. 
1S41, died X.ivendier (), iS()4; l'.ii/al)eiri I!., 
Mis. Mdrenns; Riii)eit S. . hmn |anuar\ ih, 
1S45, who h)st an eye while >ei\in^ in tile 
(."onfederate army, and died .\|)ril j-, i.S.SN; 
C'dinelia (i., Ikhii .\ui;nst i(), 1.S46, ilied Sep- 
temluT 3. 1S74; and I'.dna S. , jiorn March JA, 
1848. Idle molluT (it tiiese children died 
March ^ i'"^.^-': and Mi-. Hailev married Mrs. 
Martiia Sliepard, December 16, 1X52. Hv liis 
last marria_i;e were three cliileh-en, namely; 
Charles W. , hciin ( )ctoher 15, 1S53; luij;ene 
S. , born May j;. 1X56, died September J4, 
1.S56; and I.ucv M., bnrn Ma\' 15, I<S;<> 
Mr. HailcN' died in 1864. 

M|-. antl Mis. Morenus ai'e the parents of 
three children. Mae, born Jul\- iS, 1867. is 
the wife of Charles M. llackett, of ( ireeiisboro. 
X.C. Howard H. , boin Mas 31. 1869, now 
the chiel book-keepei" fni the Cottaije Origan 
Company, of Chicai^o. married Martha Cable 
in 1895. Roheit I'"., horn Jannar\' 10. 1S7:;, 
is book-kee|x-r for I-'itch, Brook & .Snlls', of 
Walton. Ill politics Mr. Morenus is an im- 
comiironiisiiiL;- Re|niblicaii, and, tliou<;li no 
as]iirant lor of'licial honors, has served as 
I)e]iuty Sheriff for iiiiK' \ears. He is Adjutant 
and e.\-Conimander of the lien Marvin Tost, 
No. 209, (jrand .Armv of Ihe Rejinldic. lie 
also ser\'etl for thirteen \ears as Lieutenant of 
the Se].)arate Companw National (luards. 
heinn' then placed upon the letiied list. 



J"^E\Vrrr H. COl.I'., who for the last 
=1 fifteen \ears has been successful 1)' 
9y enga.Ljed in the hotel business in .\rk- 
\ille, was born Noxeinber 1, 1837. in 
Middletown, Delaware Count\-, N. \'. 11 is 
parents were .Solomon and bjiieline ((Ira)) 
Cole, the former ol whom was the son of 
Thomas Cole, a farmer and lunilierman who 
oatiie from Cdnnecticut when a \dun.i;' man, 
accomjianied b\- his wife, K'lusha Jenkins, a 
worthy hel]imeet. This couple liecanu- the 
[larents of seven children. 1)\ name; Hetsy, 
who became the wile ot (ieor^e Osteriioudt ; 
Solomon, who became the lather of the subject 
of this sketch ; Mary, who married l{phraini 



Isham; iMiuliiu', who w;is united in inarriaf;e 
I" - Robinson; John; I hirrison, who left 

his native place \n >,-,-k his fortunes in the 
W'esl ; and William II. \\w lather, wh.. wa.s 
a ^ood example of the sturdv pioneer class, 
and was ,1 man much respected, died at the a^jc 
ol eii;hlysi\. His wife survived to the re- 
in. irkable ;i-e iif iiineiy-nine, an illustration of 
ihe advantage of plain living; :ind simple taste.s. 

.Solomon Cole, the next in line, was born in 
Middleloun, and became accustomed to farm 
lileand work at an early :ij;e. When a vounf^ 
man, he purchased a farm of tw.i hundred' acres 
near (irirtin's Corners, and occupied himself 
in tilliiii; the soil. He married |-;melinc 
Hon-hton, daughter of l)a\id Hoii^rhton. a 
farmer and an early settler in the town of Ro.x- 
bnry. In 1861 Scdomon Cole sold his farm 
and mo\ed to Ro.sburw ( )iie vear later he 
moved to Mai\:;aiettville, and still later to Ark- 
ville, where he bought the hotel of (niffin & 
Crespill, and en,:;af;ed in its manajiement until 
his death at the a^e of tifty-ei^ht. He was a 
prominent rii;uie in his locality, a man of 
si|uare dealini;-, and a stanch Republican in 
political faith. He was the lather of .seven 
children, named as follows; .Abraham, who 
UKirried ()li\e Meeker for his first wife, was 
later iniited to Ivninia Keater. and is now de- 
ceased : Charles, who chose for his wife Mmnia 
Kittle, now resides in HinL,di:uiiton. N.\'., and 
hasonechikl; I'.dward. resident in New \'ork 
City, who married Trudie lunmett. and has 
two childien; Rena, who became the wife of 
Charles .Still, an en,i;ineei', and resides in Ark- 
ville; James M., the eldest, married, but now 
deceased; I-'.mma Ilalstead, who is married, re- 
sides in Jersex City Hei_L,dUs, and has one 
child; and Dewitt, whose name claims atten- 
tion at the head of this sketch. 

Dewitt H. Cole attended the iniiilic schools 
of his nati\e town in earlv \outh. and assimi- 
lated a fair amount of practical knowledj^e. 
which he has since supplemented hv observa- 
tion and experience in the affairs of everv-ilav 
life. lakini; his father's hotel at the a.Lje of 
twenty-two, he a])plied himself to the task of 
maiKii^ership with the determination to make 
his hoslelrx known lar anil wide as a place of 
comfort for man and beast. In this he has 
been singularly successful, and his ]iresent 



66o 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



standing in the community is due tu his own 
good judgment and far-sighted business, policy. 
His hotel is situated opposite the depot, an 
advantageous location, as it is thus its own 
advertisement. 

Mr. Cole is a married man, as all hotel- 
keepers should l)e. His wife was, by maiden 
name, Pevila Hasbrook. Her parents were 
Barney L. and Rosa (Hubbard) Hasbrook, the 
former of whom is the leading merchant in 
Clovesville, N.Y. Mr. and Mrs. Cole have 
one child, Beulah, born April lO, 1893. Al- 
though known so well as a genial host, Mr. 
Cole's duties and responsibilities in life are not 
confined to his hotel business. He is .so well 
liked by his fellow-townsmen that they have 
chosen him to serve as Collector and Deputy 
Sheriff, both of which responsible positions he 
has well filled. His politics are Republican; 
and, when the interests of his locality or the 
country at large are to be served, he is not to 
be found among the stay-at-homes. Of a 
.social nature, he belongs to Margarettville 
Lodge, No. 389, A. !■'. & A. M., and is also a 
member of the order of Knights of Pythias. 
His popularity is unquestifmed, and he is prop- 
erly assigned a place among the substantial 
residents of his county. 




I-IORGIC HL'RCllL'S, a successful 
stock-raiser and dairyman, owns and 
occui)ies a farm of one hundred acres 
located about four miles from the village of 
Walton, on which his birth occurred June 5, 
1834. 11 is father, James Hurchus, was born 
in the town of South hlast, a son of Samuel 
Hurchus, who was a farmer in that place, and a 
life-long resident. 

James Burchus learned the trade of a shoe- 
maker ; and some time during the War of 181 2 
he made shoes for the soldiers, but was after- 
ward drafted into the army, and ser\-ed three 
months. He was a Corporal of his company, 
and was detailed to look after deserters, serv- 
ing in this capacity until he received his 
discharge. He continued to follow his trade 
for a while, i)ut after marriage returned to 
farming. His wife was Bathsheba Foster, a 
native of South Hast. Removing with his 
bride to Delaware County, Mr. Burchus bought 



a tract of partly cleared land, taking possession 
of it in 1 82 1. He continued the improve- 
ments, among other things setting out a fine 
orchard. Seven years later he sold that land 
and purchased a farm of fifty acres, mostly 
covered with a dense growth of timber, of 
which .so little had been cleared that he has 
been known to hunt for two days to find a yoke 
of cattle. He was an active worker, and l)y 
able and vigorous management placed the 
oriiiinal land under cultivation, and occa- 
sionally bought other land, until at the time 
of his decease he owned two hundred and 
seventeen acres, his homestead being one of 
the most valuable estates in this vicinity. 
His first wife bore him the following children : 
Sarah, Elizabeth, Pamelia, Sally, Betsey, and 
Samuel. She lived but ten years after her 
marriage; and he subsequently married Polly 
Bossett, a native of Dutchess County, and a 
daughter of Samuel and Sally Bossett. ( )f 
this union three children were born, namely; 
Sherman ; George ; and Mary, who married 
Wesley Wilman, of Connecticut. 

George, the youngest son, is the only mem- 
ber of the parental household ncjw living. He 
receiv'ed a very good education in tiie district 
schof)l, and ably assisted his father in the farm 
work, remaining at home until becoming of 
age. He then bought of Hezekiah Cable fifty 
acres of land, situated about a mile from the 
home of his i:)arents. He cleared the land, and 
prepared it for tillage, in the mean time erect- 
ing a frame house and a log barn, and con- 
tinued to reside there some fifteen years. On 
the death of his father, Mr. Burchus purchased 
the old homestead where he was born and 
reared, and has since carried it on with marked 
success. He has made extensive improve- 
ments, building a new barn, but occupying 
the house which his father erected. At the 
time tliat he took possession of his projjcrty, 
part of the land was in its original wildness, 
and in such a condition that he could not cut 
hay enough to feed twelve head of cattle. He 
now cuts hay enough on one hundred acres to 
keej) twenty-four cows, five yearlings, ten 
shec]), and four hor.ses. He operates a large 
dairy, making a fine grade of butter, most of 
which is sold in New York City. His cattle 
are graded Jersey. He had the misfortune a 



BIOGRAPIirCAL RKVIKW 



r.,: , 



sh.Ht imc agu tu iKuv mnc ,,| l,i> o.ws kilKW Thdr si.x diildivn i.k.v !..• I„i, 

l.v h-htmnK ,n one ni,t;lu. u-.nl nnnic-.l |;,nr WlnM,!.- 

Ml. Innvluis and Laura j. tahlc, tl.c ,h>uol,. .Ma,.;„vt Slni,,- \\,||,„n 

lor ..I llczckiah ami Sallx diiadlcv) Cahk'. Krllv. Melissa inarru.! Mr i 

wcro marricl ,n 1X35. Mr. ami Mrs. Cal.lr is xW sul.im ,,l tju- l/,|l.iu 

were natives ol C ..nncctu iil, hiU ivmove.l lu oliv,; marricl lirsi |,,|„, | ), 

this county, and |nircliasfd a tarm in Walton, R.-xtnnl iJLuill. 
on whiili their children, lour in iiuinhei', wert' l-ld-iu' .\. Wrniiha 

horn. Mr. and Mrs. Hurchus hecame the par- irict >. ho,,N. and can; 

ents ot five children, three of whom have (Hillins Curners wh 

|)as.sed to the •Mile elysian," Alice dvin- cahinel -nnikin- l.',.>inrs's Vl 

when a little chikl ol .seven years. Ida died the eiiterprisewas e-tahli^i 

when seven \ears old: and I'.sther, who was in trade was consumed In 

married, died at the a!;e of twentv-three vears. man was nothin- d.umie, 

leavmt; two children - Ida and \\illie. Julia and immeilialelv"hei;an to ,.,,,; „ ^ n, 

and iM-ank are still livin- the latter su|)erin- a carpenter. In ihe srcon<U e u" ..| 1 1 . 

tendin-- the management o| the home farm. War. on .\u-usi 11 , 1 Soj. he 'enl isi^.,1 in ( om- 

Mr. Hurchus is a Cran-er, and in politics is pauv (,, One Hundred and I- .; : ' l„,. • !, \, . 

independent, althoui^h he usually su|iports the N'.ak V.dnnteers. | |c \' 

Uemocratic ticket. Moth he and his family w.is al one time a .Second 1 ., u; , :i.:.; 

are amonj;- the most active w.irkers in the l>ap'- lor (\w hmi; wearvm.mth- in the h.. 

ti.st church, in which he has served as rrustee, .S|. .Vu-ustine. l-'la., from uhich he was ,ii~ 

besides h(ddin- many other oflicial ])ositions. char!;ed in .Xu-usi. 1 ,S^4. , ,11 i, , , ,,,.,1 ,,i .,1,,,: 

He was one of the ]Mime movers in the huild- cal disahililw 

ins;- of tile present Baptist church, ami it was He married Melissa T."i,i. a ,iaii hie; ,,1 

chiefly throu-h his efforts that Ihe church was Is.iac and j-'aniu 1 Hou-hloiu WM Mi- 

'"•-'iiiizc-d. lodds grandfather. .Samue! T,,dd. 

'"•'-' soldier in the ke\ olut ionar\ War. In. .._ 

Ml--- \'ermiiya. there were nine children in 

D(-rAR .\. \'|;RM1I.\'.\ was born in Isaac Todd's familv : .Sciidder ; ( )rrin ; Hen 

Middletown, June JO, l S40. His John; Hurr; .\aron : liir.mi; W.ilter; 

i;randfather. Wi lliam Wainilya, was Melissa, now .Mrs. X'ermiha. I',. i:d,.u .\ 

a Hollander, who settled in I'utnam Countv, and Melissa \'erniil\a -"I '■ " ■ 

where he re.ired a family of four children llerhcrt .S. , whose hii: 
William, Jesse. John, .Samuel. The last ' i.sr),S, and who married .\m,i;-i.i .\l, 
named, and father of l-".d-ar .\. X'erinilya, re- ' daughter of 1'. (.'. and l-jnma i\'i-. 

mo\ed from I'utnam County wiien a youni,^ 'I'hc father-in-law of Mi. Herbert .s. \ 

man. He w.as a cobbler by trade. Init did not is a l)oardin,i;-liouse |>ro|irietor ■• ' 

follow this occupation for any len,i;th of tinn'. ("orners, while he himself is a iew 

He bou.n'ht a mill on Hata\ ia Kill, which is same pi. ice. and is doit 

now known as Morse's mill. Here he li\ed In ])olitics he is a 1 

until his death, though not after the fashion of 1 lulgar .\. X'ermilya hem,:; a I'l ,; 

that "Miller of Dee " who .sang, "I care for I The latter is a class leadei' • - 1 ■ 

nobody, and nobotly cares for me"; for he Methodist I^iiiscopal cluna : 
wooed and married as most voimg men do. 
His wife was Miss Catherine Robinson, a 




daughter of Issacher Robin.son. Ilei' father 
was also a miller, and had manv a tale of the 
da_\s of 177*'). haxiiig fought in the Revoln- 
tionar\' War. Hoth husband and wife were 



oiix lie rs().\. .th> 

modat ing propriel' ■ 
House. Helhi. N.\ 
her 10, isric). Ill 



members of the old-school J-!a])tist church. jam IIut>on, emiui 



662 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Scotlaml, and became one of the early settlers 
of Delhi, where he improved a farm. He and 
his wife reared a family of nine children; 
namelv, l-lbenezer, John, Thomas, George, 
Margaret, Catherine, ICllen, Mary, and Jane. 
Hoth parents were deeply religious, and mem- 
bers of the Scotch I'resinterian chinch. 

John Hutson, Sr., was the second child born 
to his parents. He entered upon a mercantile 
career, conducting a general store in Delhi for 
many years. He also carried on a substantial 
flour and feed business, and dealt largely in 
butter. He was well known throughout this 
section of the count}-, and was numbered among 
the .solid and substantial citizens of Delhi. 
He married Julia Hewes, a native of this 
county, and one of a large family of children 
born 'to James and Margaret (Wea.soner) 
Hewes. Mr. Hewes was born in this country, 
of Welsh antecedents; and his wife was of 
Holland ancestry. Of the union of Mr. Hut- 
son and Miss Hewes the following children 
were born: William; Jane, who became the 
wife of Abraham C. Crosby, an eminent lawyer 
of this town; Elizabeth, who married Charles 
R. Stillson, a jeweller, of Delhi; John; and 
Ida M., who married Charles K. Woodruff, 
whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. 
The good mother passed away at the age of 
fifty years, and the father after a useful life of 
threescore years. Both were tried and faithful 
members of the Scotch Presbyterian church. 

John Hut.son, the subject of this brief 
sketch, spent his early years in the village of 
Delhi, obtaining a practical etlucation in the 
village schools and academy. After complet- 
ing his studies, Mr. Hutson began working in 
the flour and feed mill which his father had 
built and was then operating, and where Kiff 
& (ileason, whose sketches may be found in 
another part of this work, are now engaged in 
business. He afterward entered the butcher- 
ing business, working first for his father, and 
subsequently for himself, continuing thus en- 
gaged for four years. Soon after this, occurred 
the death of his father; and Mr. Hutson spent 
two years travelling in the West, being em- 
])loyed in various lines of business. Not find- 
ing any locality more jileasing to his tastes 
than his native town, he returned to Delhi, 
and, securing a position as clerk in the Ameri- 



can House, remained there until Richard 
D. W. Kiff, the proprietor, retired, when Mr. 
Hutson made a second visit to the West. 
When Mr. Kiff assumed the management of 
the hotel for the second time, Mr. Hut.son again 
entered his emjiloy as a clerk, retaining the 
position until January i, 1S93, when he formed 
a partnership with C. K. Kiff, s(m of his 
former employer (see sketch given elsewhere 
in this volume) ; and they managed the affairs 
of the house successfully for a year, when the 
partnership was dis.solved. Since that time 
Mr. Hutson has continued the business alone, 
and is meeting with decided success, having a 
well-kept and well-appointed hotel, centrally 
located and extensively patronized. It is 
situated on the main street of the village, is 
conveniently arranged, heated throughout with 
steam, and has accommodations for fift)- guests, 
the gentlemanly proprietor himself attending 
personally to its management. The table is 
excellent; and the cheerful, home-like air 
pervading the house makes it very attractive. 

Mr. Hutson was united in marriage in 
March, 18S4, to Miss Mary Riley. They 
have one child, a bright little bo)-, named 
William Henry. In politics Mr. Hutson in- 
variably supports the principles of the Repub- 
lican party. Socially, he is a member of 
Walton Lodge, No. 625, Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, and belongs to the Elks of 
Scranton. Mrs. Hutson is a faithful member 
of the Catholic church. 




I LIT AM WICKS NORTH, proprie- 
tor of the popular restaurant at the 
Walton station of the Ontario & 
Western Railway, is a native of the town 
where he resides, having been born within its 
limits, Augu.st 10, 1821, at the home of his 
father, Benjamin W. North. 

Benjamin North, Jr., the father of Ben- 
jamin W. , was born in Newtown, L. I., May i, 
1749, at the home of his parents, Benjamin 
and Margaret (Freeman) North. On January 
>7. '773. he married Jane Brown, who died 
October 16, 1779, leaving two children — 
Mary B. and Jane. On March 17, 1784, he 
was united in wedlock with Sarah Lockwood, 
who died October 30, 1789. His third wife, 



BIOCtRAHHICAI, kevikvv 



to whom he was imiud .M.iirli 15, ijijj, was 
Sarah Wicks, of lluiuinmoii, |.. f. Hk-x rc- 
nnivcii to New \'ork City, and tlieiv wcic 
honi all ol' her ihiidicn; nainelv, [ane, l'",ii/a 
11., Menjaniiii W. , William I-',,' IJaiiiiah II., 
and Robert 1-'. 

Benjamin W . North niarrie<l I'.meline. 
daughter of (kibriel and Deborah North. Ik- 
was for many \ears ])ros|)eronslv en-a,<;eil in 
mercantile business in New \'ork, where he 
was an extensive dealer in ,i;roceries. lie was 
a man ot ,i;reat ]nish and eneri;v, and was an 
active member of the old lire department of 
that city, being foreman of 1-jigine Com])anv 
No. 13, to which his eldest .son also belonged'. 
It was due to his efforts that engines were in- 
troduced into the city tire de])artment. 

William Wicks North received an excellent 
elementary education in the citv schools of 
New \'ork, arid coiupleled his school life at 
Rye, Westchester Counts. In 1S42 he went 
with his father to I'oughkeepsie, N.^■., where 
they established a luu'serv and fruit luisiiiess. 
In 1846 Mr. North, leaving his father, caiue 
to Walton, and for some time thereaftei' was 
engaged in general fainiing. Just prior to the 
late Rebellion he embarked in the grocer}' 
business, which he hnally reliiH|uished for his 
jiresent occupation, opening a restaurant at 
the Ontario & Westt-rn Kailwav dejjot ; and 
this he has successful 1\- managed foi- the |)ast 
twenty years. l-"or three years he and his 
eldest son were emjiloNed in sur\eving foi the 
railroad. 

On May 10, 1 N49. .Mr. .North was united in 
marriage to Mary .\. l-'.ells. daughter of 
Horace blells. an old and honored settler of 
Delaware (.'ountv. This union was halloweil 
by the birth of Innr children, as follows; 
Henjamin (i., bmn December 22, 1851, is 
Su|)erintendent of the ( )nlario & Western 
Railway Compaiu', and a valued citizen c)f 
Walton. Horace E. , born December 31, 
I1S53, is an insurance agent of the tirm of I'aul 
& North. Ida ,M., born .May ^, I1S36. died 
Januar\- 22, 1876. William I-'., born Novem- 
ber 17, 1861, is a clerk foi' the railwax com- 
jianx', eiu]ilo\etl b\' his iMother Henjamin. 
Mrs. Noith, the beloxed wife and ruother, 
jxtssed to the higher state of existence, Jaiuiarv 
II, 1894. She was held in high esteem as a 




nei-hbor and .1 h lend, an<i liei death was inii 
\ersally inonrneil. In pnliii.s Mi \, •' ' 
alwa\s aflili.iled wilh the D<-inoi rat j,- ; 



ll.l-l.\M II. l..\Slli:k ua^ bo,n 
.lul\ n, tS^j. i,n Brush l\id;;e, 
in .Middletow n, Delawari- ( .imiiI\, 
■'^■V. lie is a grandMiM ol (dnrad .ind .Mai i.i 
(Sagendor|)h( Lasher. i-'ive broiluis n\ the 
l.asher family came hum \\ ilteiilieig, d.-i 
many, and .settled in Dntchess ('iiui)t\. N.-u 
\drk, before the Re\(i|iilionar\ War. C.ni.,.! 
married in Dutchess, and came with his wile 
and family to Delaware toniitv, which was 
then almo.st unsettled. The journey wa-. 

made on horseback, as was often the niuilr in 
those early da\ s ; and the road was oiiK dis- 
covered l)y following certain trees which had 
been marked by previous travellers. Another 
tamil)' of emigrants came to this hpcalit\ 
about the same time. Ihey bore the name of 
Rackit, and were for some \ears the onh 
neighbors of the Lashers. 

Conrad Lasher bought mie hundred and 
torty acres of land, built a house in the woods, 
and began to clear the land. lie s.dd out to 
his son Allen when he felt the burden of his 
years bearing too heavily upon him, and lived 
wilh his children uiuil he died, at the age ol 
eighty-three years. lie was a l.iUheran in 
religion and a Democrat in |)olitical faith 
Neither he nor his wife e\er learned t^' re. id 
or to speak l-lnglish. Their children uiic: 
Robert; I'ldwartl II.; .\llen; Abrah;im ; l''re.i 
crick; aiul Maria. .Mrs. Traver. 

I'!dward, the secoiul son, was burn in 
Dutchess County, but came to llelauare and 
began tarming on an estate just one mile from 
the paternal homestead. lie ;ifterw.u'd en 
gaged in lumber dealing, putting up ,1 s.iw-inill 
at l'!mery Hr<iok, where he sawed and shippetl 
his own lumber. This was one of the tirst 
saw-mills in this pari of the countrv. lluie 
was a good home tr;ide, and he w.is alii 
long to own a good pruprrtw lie 
Decembei 21, 187;. 1 1 is wiu- was .1 M:-- 
Mabee, d.iughter ol William .Mai.- • r - 
near i'ine Hill village in I'L 
Thev had seven children. 01 
William, the subject of this 



664 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Lasher mariicd Anne O'Brien, was left a 
widower, and married Nancy Davis, having 
one child by each marriage. Elbert is now 
the superintendent of a lumber estate in 
I'ennsvivania. They have two sisters: Sarah; 
and Samantha L. , who married Alonzo John- 
son, was left a widow, and married Silas 
Hlish. 

William H. Lasher received a plain educa- 
tion at Townsend Hollow and Griffin's Cor- 
ners. At the latter place he engaged in the 
grocery business with Allen Lasher, when 
he was twenty-one years of age. Later in life 
he went into lumber dealing, buying a large 
amount of real estate. In 1874 he sold all of 
his land with the exception of seventy acres 
which he retained for a home. A comfortable 
house, barn, and dairy are among the improve- 
ments. Me has been engaged in the insurance 
business to some extent. In 1863 Mr. Lasher 
was united in wedlock to Jeannette Crawford, 
a native of Cayuga, and one of a family of four 
children. She was born Februar\' 11, 1841, 
and had two brothers — William II., born 
Januar\' i, 1S29; and Robert, born March 20, 
1831 — and one sister, Isabella, born August 
'7. i^?i3- T" William H. and Jeannette 
(Crawford) Lasher were born tliree children. 
Lugene I',., born June 29, 1869, married Ada 
Rowley. Willie L. , born April 9, 1870, mar- 
ried KUa Crispell. Lulu May, born March 9, 
1871, lives at home. Mrs. Lasher died in 
November, 1889. She was a conscientious 
member of the Presbyterian church. 

William H. Lasher has been eminently suc- 
cessful in the different lines of business in 
which he has been engaged, and is one of the 
leading |X)liticians of the Republican party in 
his town. In 1890 he was appointed to the 
office of Postmaster, which he held for four 
years. He was Deputy Sheriff for fifteen and 
Pension Agent for twelve years, and was Sur- 
veyor of Highways for two terms. 




lll.\RLi;S II. MACK, stationer and 
. perfumer, is a young man of much 
' Ib _ promise in the business circles of 
Walton, and one of its most popular 
residents. He was born in the village, Octo- 
ber 16, 1 87 1, son of Abram L. and Anna 



(Fanchen) Mace, the former of whom was 
born in Delhi, this county, hi 1845, and the 
latter, a daughter of Henry and Hannah (Eels) 
Fanchen. having been born in Walton, in 
1 846. 

The paternal grandfather was Abram Mace, 
who was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1822, 
and was for many years a well-known manufact- 
urer of this county, owning and operating a 
large woollen-mill in Ilamden. He was a man 
of much business capacity, and, having by 
prudence and good management accumulated a 
competence, he is now li\-ing retired from the 
active pursuits of life in the village of Ham- 
den. He married Antoinette Phelps; and 
they reared five children, the following being 
their record : Nettie, who died when a young 
girl; Charles II.. who gave his life for his 
country during the late Civil War, having 
enlisted as a Corporal in Company C, One 
Hundred and Forty-fourth New York 'Volun- 
teer Infantry, and being stricken, while at 
Cold Harbor, with a fever from which he never 
recovered, dying there at the age of twenty- 
two years; Abram L. , the father of the sub- 
ject ; Delia, widow of the late Edward Buxton, 
residing in Oneonta ; and .Albert, operator of 
the Delhi woollen-mills. 

The marriage of the parents of the subject 
of this sketch was solemnized in September, 
1868, in the village of Walton; and this has 
since been their home. Abram L. Mace has 
for many years been a prominent man in busi- 
ness, social, and public life, and an important 
factor in the industrial interests of the town. 
He was engaged for many years as a carpenter 
and builder, but afterward embarked in mer- 
cantile business, and was also a successful 
dealer in real estate. In him the Democratic 
paity has a warm supporter, and during Grover 
Cleveland's first administration he served four 
years as Postmaster. He and his wife spend 
the winter month.s in North Carolina; and 
he is practical)}' retired from business, his son 
Charles having succeeded him in the store. 
Mr. and Mrs. Abram L. Mace are the parents 
of three children: Charles H. ; Hanna, a young 
lad\', who was gmduated from Vassar College 
wilii liigh honors in the class of 1890. She 
is now making jiractical use of her mental 
attainments as a teacher of mathematics. She 




Ulysses Drake 



BIOGRAPHl CM, RKVIF.W 



f.f,- 



alsi) piisscssos decided musical talent, in 
which she resembles her mother, and as a 
result of her dexotion to physical culture car- 
ried off athletic honors at college. The 
youngest member ot this liouseh<dtl is ilenrv 
Fanchen Mace, a y<iimg man of eighteen \ears. 
He is an e.\]iert bicvcle rider, and has won 
man\' races, 

Charles H. Mace is an active and enterpris- 
ing business man, who is rapidly winning his 
way to an honored jiosilion in the mercantile 
circles ot Walton. I'hoiigh pa\ ing close at- 
tention to his business ])ursuils. Mr. Mace has 
always been a great loxer of athletics, and is 
the champion runner of this localitv'. In the 
various contests oi this kind in which he has 
taken a part, he has in\ariabl\' been the win- 
nei'; and he lias fourteen badges, the of them 
gold, all of which he has won as th'st jirizes for 
running in one hundred and twr)-lnmdied-anil- 
twent)' _\'ard races. Mr. Mace was united in 
marriage, Jidy 12. 1X9^. to Miss l?erlha 
Greenwood, daughter of Ur. IC. I), dreen- 
wood. Mrs. Mace is a graduate of the Wal- 
ton High -School, and before her marriage was 
a valued teacher in the |niblic schools. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Mace are members of the Epis- 
copal chiu'ch. 



'OHN' j. U'XiaLL, a well-known dealer 
in m.irble antl granite in Ro.xburw 
.\.\'., was born in lM)ston, lune 24, 
1855. His i)arents. Michael" O'Neill 
and Ellen -Shistell O'Neill, came from Ire- 
land. Mr. O'Neill's boyhood, youth, and 
young manhood were .spent in l?oston. where 
he received a good education and accjuired the 
outlines of his knowledge of business. W'hen 
he reached the age of twenty-one years, and 
was ready to Ixrgin life for himself, Mr. 
O'Neill decided to try his fortune in another 
part of the coimtrv. He came to Ro.xbury, 
therefore, in 1876, and has made his home 
here ever since. During six years he was in 
the emplov of C. A. Xoble. Then he worked 
for T. Richman for four years. I-'inally, in 
1884. Mr. O'Neill established a marble and 
granite business for himself, with his head- 
quarters on Main Street. The business has 
grown rapidly, and is now one of the largest 



enterprises ^il tin- sorl in the loinitrv. .Mi. 
O'Neill makes a speci.ihv of the Nort 
ish granite, a ver\ handsome stone, w 
quarried in .Scoll.md. In i,S(,j he made- a trip 
to .Scotland on Inisincss lonnecled with tlii', 
granite industry. ' )ii this voyage the su-aiii- 
ship on which he wa-- ,i pasxn-t-r was wri-( ki'! 
off tlu' Scotch coast. ,ind those on boar. I 
|)laced in gre.it and imminent d,in;;ei. .Mr. 
O'Neill, however, w.is resri|.-<l ■|ii<l nai h.d 
the shore in safetv. 

Mr. (J'Neill nianied (laii .Noble, daughl<;r 
of William Noble and Caroline Denton Xoble. 
Mr. William Noble is .1 residei.l of Catskill. 
in (ireeiie County, where he is jargeh' inter- 
ested in the marble and granite business. 

Mrs. Clara O'Xeill is a meiniter of the 
I'reslnterian churcli. .She h.is a sister Sarali. 
who married Otis ]'. Morse. 

.Mr. John J. O'Xeill is now thiii\-ni:i: 
years of age. He is in gootl circumstances, 
and owns threi.' houses in the \illai;e. in 
politics he supp(irts the liemMciaii, i.artv. 



G^^"rI.\■SSl•;S DRAKI: is a native of the 
A-1 1 town of J-"ranklin. Delaware Countv. 
IvJ^ I N.\'.. where he has resided all hi.s 

' life, and engaged in farming, the 
])revailiiig occu]>ation of that town. He is 
descenfled from an old ])ioneer faniilv. his 
father. Abiel Drake, iieing one of the lir~t 
settlers in this section of the country. 

.•\biel Drake was born in .Austerl;' 
lumbia County, N.\'., in 1 :> 

in the woods at that |)la' at 

that time lieing less than an acre. He mar- 
ried I'aniu' Maynard, of .Austerlit/ ; :i" ' ' 
young couple came to P'ranklin in 1 .S 1 
after their marriage, tiie li -tartiii^ ■•:.; 

alone with his ox team 1 new honu , 

where he built a log house and ii.irn : .\u 

thither he was soon t' " ■ ' ' ■ ' ■ 

wife. Thev were the 

capital. Inning tlv 

seventeen acres at 

which thev were oliliged to mortgage. This 

land Ixdonged to the 1' ' ■ ■ ■• 

required the outlay of 

to make it in ,iny wa\ 

"f el.-arinir it ot ti-.e-. 



668 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



begun with a will by this strong, resolute 
couple; and, after that was accomplished, the 
mortgage also was raised, to the unbounded 
satisfaction of these earnest workers. 

Here was reared their family of seven chil- 
dren, three sous and four daughters, the sub- 
ject of this sketch being the first-born. One 
son, Francis Drake, lives at Croton village, 
a daughter Helen is the wife of Albert Payne, 
who carries on the farm on the old homestead, 
and another daughter, Amy, is the widow of 
Colonel Sylvester Wheat in the village of 
Franklin. Maria, wife of Alanson Knapp, 
died in 1847, leaving four children; and her 
sister, Anna Drake, passed away in Bingham- 
ton, March 11, 1S92, she having been a grad- 
uate of Cazenovia Seminary, and for many 
years a successful teacher. Abiel Drake, Jr., 
died on his farm near the old home in 1890, 
leaving two sons and two daughters. The 
parents lie in the Croton cemetery with their 
three children, the father having died in 
1863, and his wife four years later. 

Ulysses Drake was born in 1812, and dur- 
ing his boyhood assisted his father in the care 
of the farm, attending the district school at 
the same time. He afterward became a stu- 
dent at Delhi and Cazenovia, and then taught 
school four winter terms. October 15, 1844, 
Mr. Drake married Miss Grace Stewart, 
bringing his bride to his farmer's iiome, of 
which he had been in possession about nine 
years. His wife was born in Delhi in 181 7, 
flaughter of Charles and Isabella (Gordon) 
-Stewart. Mr. Stewart was a native of Scot- 
land, and died when but forty years of age, 
while his wife was born in Galvvay, N.Y., 
living to reach her seventy-fourth year. They 
were the parents of eleven children, of whom 
Mrs. Drake and one brother are the only 
survivors. 

Mr. and Mrs. Drake have been called upon 
to part with two of their children: Homer 
Ulysses, who died of diphtheria, September 
10, 1861, when but thirteen years old, his 
death being followed one week later by that 
of his sister, Mary Jane, aged fifteen years, of 
the same fatal disease. Their only surviving 
child is Sanford William Drake, who married 
on September 4, 1893, Miss Ella Ward, both 
she and her young babe dying June 4, 1894. 



The previous year they had made a pleasant 
trip to the World's Fair at Chicago. This 
son now conducts his father's farm of two 
hundred and thirty acres, which Mr. Drake 
earned by unwearying, long-continued toil, 
building his large, pleasant house in 1847, 
and ten years later a commodious barn. In 
connection with the other farm work, an ex- 
tensive dairy is operated, where excellent but- 
ter is manufactured and sold. Mr. Drake 
formerly kept a number of fine wool sheep, 
but after his marriage gave up this industry. 

Mr. Drake was reared a Democrat, but was 
an anti-slavery man, and later joined the Re- 
publican party. During the anti-rent troubles 
he was called to Delhi to guard the place, he 
being then Captain of an artillery company. 
He has served in a number of town offices, 
among them that of Commissioner of High- 
ways. Mr. and Mrs. Drake are active mem- 
bers of the Methodist Church, which Mr. 
Drake joined fifty-eight years ago, and where 
he has served as Steward and Trustee, and 
also as Recording Steward for twenty years. 
Mr. Drake has retired from active labor, and 
I leaves much of his business to the manage- 
ment of his son, taking an interest, however, 
in all mercantile matters, but enjoys hugely 
the long-needed and deserved rest, having 
been an indefatigable worker, performing his 
daily duties at all times with the utmost care 
and attention. 

As a man of truly noble character, gener- 
ous, kind-hearted, and liberal-minded, Mr. 
Drake is held in the highest esteem by all 
with whom he comes in contact personally, 
socially, or politically. His portrait on an- 
other page adds greatly to the interest and 
value of this brief sketch of his industrial 
career. 




ETER F. HOFFMAN, who keeps a 
large summer resort at Arkville, was 
born in Smithville, Ulster County, 
I June 27, 1844, son of Andrew and 

Lina (Keldar) Hoffman. His grandparents 
were Peter S. and Anna (George) Hoffman, 
the former of whom was born in Dutchess 
County, and when a young man settled in 
Delaware County. He cleared a tract of land 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIKW 



U.n 



in tlic wildornoss, built a log hmisi.'. and fnmi 
this Iiiimblc beginning soon liail undur culti- 
vation a good-sized farm, on which he lived 
nearly all his life. in politics he belonged j 
to the Whig party, lie dieil at the age of 
seventy, and his wife at the age of seventy- 
two. They left seven children — George, 
William. John, ICdward, Andrew, I'.liza, and 
Miranda. 

Anthew, fifth son of I'eter .S. Hoffman, was 
born on the old homesteail. Having received 
his education in the common schools, he 
learned the carjienters trade, and soon built 
a new house on the farm, into which the fam- 
ily moved, as they had long since outgrown 
their cpiarters in the old log house. He was 
an all-round mechanic, making all the familv 
shoes and nianv of the tools used on the farm, 
so that he proved himself to be a verv useful 
member of the family. He married I.ina 
Keldar, whose father was a farmer of L'Ister 
County, ant! who lived to be about fiftv-four 
years of age, leaving three children —Maria, 
Martin, and Lina. Andixnv and I.ina Hoff- 
man had four childix'n: Martin, who married 
Gertrude Kettle, and lives in Arkville: Ar- 
tluir. who married Mary Carly, lives at I'ine 
Hill, ami has two children; Leonard, who 
married Rose Bidwell, lives at Catskill, and 
has two children: and Peter, the subject of 
this sketch. .About the time of his marriage 
.Mr. Hoffman bought a home at Clovesville, 
where he lived until his death, at fift\-three 
years of age. His wife died at the age of 
sixty-four. He was a ReiJublican, and a 
member of the .Methodist Kpiscojjal church. 

Peter Hoffman received his education in 
Middletown, and at the age of si.Nteen began 
working on the farm, at which he continued 
for two years. He then worked with his 
father at carpentering until 1862, when he 
enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and 
I'orty-fourth Xew York Regiment, and served 
as a private until the close of the war. Upon 
his return, in July. 1S65, he engaged in team- 
ing, his route being from different places 
in the Calskills to Rondoul. He ran a num 
ber of teams, and did a good business for 
three vears. After leaving this business, 
he buiit and carried on for thirteen years a 
blacksmith-shop at Arkville. He then sold | 



out, an<l at piesiiil keeps a line sumtixT n-sort 
in Arkville. It is silnati-d on a tiftv-at re lot, 
a part of the old Cngwin l.irni, lnrnurlN tin- 
camp-meeting ground, .md alsn the site of the 
first church built in Middletown. Tlii-, 
church having been destroxed l>v fire, the pl.n 1 
was allowed to grow wild, .ind, wlun Mr. 
Hoffman bought it, wasiovered with ipiite a 
heavy growth of timber. Hcic Ik built, in 
iS(S6, a fine, eommoviious house, thirlv by si\t\' 
feet, the main building beiuL; four stories high, 
and the I, three stories. It has acconiniod.i- 
tions for nearly one hundred guests, and i> 
generally filled in the summer with city 
boarders, some even staving as long as six 
months, h is an attractive location, and h.is 
fine drives. That Mr. Hoffman has made a 
success ol his undertaking is verv apparent, 
and speaks well for his enterprise and good 
business management. 

Mr. Hoffman's wife, who <lied in 1S1J4, at 
the age of fifty, deejily lanientetl, was .Abi- 
gail, daughter of William and Phu-be ( .Sloat » 
.Stone. Her father, a successful farmer ol 
Clovesviile, a Republican in pcditics, died 
when forty years old: and his wife lived t(j be 
si.xty. They had three children — Theodore, 
Delia, and Abigail. Mr. Hoffman has four 
children, one of whom. .Alice, is married to 
\\. C. Rost, of Xew York, and has one child. 
Leon, Mary, and ILuiy ,ire still at home. 
Mrs. Hoffman was an estimable wonim. a 
member of the Hajjtist church. .Mr. Hoffman 
is a Republican, is Xnt.iry Public, anil ha> 
served three terms as Pcjstinaster. lie is .1 
member of Margarettville Lodge. Xo. ;,s.i. 
A. r. & A. M. 




II1:RMAX H. LUD.MLS is propiie- 
tor ami manager of the Centra! 
House, at Walton, and Comm.mder 
of the Ben Marvin Post. X. . 
Grand Army of the Re|>ublic. of t !i. 
town. He is in the prime of 1:' 
been born July 15, 1.S4J, in M;idis. .. 
New York, where his grandfather, > 
Loomis, a native of Xew FLimpshire. nlIl.'. . 
as a ])ioneer, and reared four childriii. 



His 



son George lived in 
daughter Eliza died 



Xorth Brook field. .\ 



670 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Roxy Loomis married I'./.va Rice, and resided 
in Pennsylvania. 

Brockhoist Loomis, the other son of Sam- 
uel, was a life-long resilient of Madison 
County, where he was born in i S07, and died 
in 1S56. In 1S31 he was united in marriage 
with Clarissa Fuller, who was born in Madi- 
son County in 1810, and lived in the same 
locality for sixty-seven years before being 
called to the realms of the blest. She was a 
devout member of the Methodist church, and 
was the descendant of a veteran of the Revo- 
lution, her grandfather Fuller having served 
as an officer in the war, under the command of 
General Washingon. Her father was also 
prominent in military circles, and was Cap- 
tain of a company of militia in New Hamp- 
shire. When a comparatively young man, he 
removed to this State, and settled in Madison 
County, where he lived until his decease, at 
the age of forty-nine years. Of the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Loomis were born eight chil- 
dren, briefly designated below: Freeman L. 
died at twenty-two years of age. George S., 
a resident of Sherburne, Chenango County, 
was a gallant soldier in the late Civil War, 
enlisting as a member of the One Hundred 
and Seventy-sixth New York Volunteer Infan- 
try, in which he served one year, when he was 
honorably discharged on account of physical 
disability. Olive A. married ICmory Shep- 
ardson, of Fast Hamilton, Madison County, 
where she died in 1869. William II., born 
in Hamilton, enlisted in the Tenth New York 
Cavalry, and served for three years, was de- 
tailed on staff duty, and was discharged as 
Orderly Sergeant; he died at the early age 
of thirty-six years, in 1874, at Frost Lake, 
.Susquehanna County, Pa. Sherman B. is our 
subject. Henry, born in Madison County, 
was likewise a soldier during the late Re- 
bellion, enlisting in 1863, in the One Hun- 
dred and .Sixty-seventh New York Volunteer 
Infantry, to which he belonged until the 
time of his death, in Louisiana, from dis- 
ease contracted in the army. Harriet A. 
died, aged twenty-two years, at .Sherburne, 
Chenango County, N.Y.; and Lucius ] . died 
in 1862, at the age of nine years. 

.Sherman B. Loomis was reareti U) larming 
pursuits, and received a substantial educa- 



tion in the schools of his native town. In- 
heriting in a large degree the patriotic blood 
that inspired the breasts of his ancestors, he 
responded to Lincoln's call for volunteers 
during the late civil conflict, and enlisted 
October 15, 1861, in the Sixty-first New York 
Volunteer Infantry, and the following two 
months was encamped at Staten Island. He 
subsequently went with his regiment to Wash- 
ington, joining the Army of the Potomac, and 
participated in the many battles of the 
Peninsular campaign. He also served with 
bravery in the battles of Antietam, Chancel- 
lorsville, and Gettysburg. After the trying 
experiences on the fields of Gettysburg, Mr. 
Loomis lost his health, and was sent to the 
Annapolis hospital, and was afterward trans- 
ferred to the care of the V. R. C, and at the 
ex]iiration of his term of enlistment was hon- 
orably discharged, being mustered out of ser- 
vice October 17, 1864. 

Returning from the scene of strife to the 
county of his birth, Mr. Loomis was ap- 
pointed Postmaster of East Hamilton, a posi- 
tion which he retained two years. He also 
engaged in the hotel business in that village 
until his removal to Friendsville, Pa., where 
he was for six years a successful farmer. Re- 
moving thence to the village of Montrose, 
Pa., he entered the mercantile business, 
vi'hich he carried on for three years, then going 
into the hotel business. In 1888 Mr. Loomis 
came to Walton, and purchased the Central 
House, now one of the best-patronized places 
of public entertainment in this part of the 
county. Mr. Loomis is influential in politi- 
cal and social circles, being a stanch supporter 
of the principles of the Republican party, 
and the present commander of the Ben Marvin 
Post, No. 209, Grand Army of the Republic. 
He is a Trustee of Walton Lodge, No. 559, 
A. F. & A. M., belongs to the Salem Lodge 
of Perfection in Walton, and is Treasurer of 
the Order of Red Men. 

During his residence in Friendsville, Pa., 
Mr. Loomis wooed and won for his life com- 
panion Miss Ellen F. Rice, a daughter of 
P)zra Rice, of that place; and their union has 
been blessed by the birth of one child, a son, 
named William E. Loomis, who was born in 
Friendsville, September 15, 1871. 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIFAV 



/^^TkORGK \V. CRAWFORD, County 
\ •) I ClcMk of Delaware County, is a 
member of the enterprising firm of 
Crawford I5rotliers, carriage manufacturers in 
the village of Delhi, of which he is a highlv 
esteemed citizen. He proudly claims Dela- 
ware as the county of his birth, which oc- 
curred March 13, 1859, in the town of 
Davenport. He is of Xcw I-Lngland antece- 
dents. 11 is grandfather, .Samuel Crawford, 
emigrating to this State, settled in Cherry 
Valley, Otsego County, where he conducted a 
flour-mill and a saw-mill for some years, com- 
ing from there to Delaware County, and es- 
tablishing himself in the lumber business in 
the town of Davenport. 

John A. Crawford, son of Samuel, was born 
in Cherry Valley, where he first trod the 
pleasant paths of learning, afterward pursuing 
a further course of study at Franklin Acad- 
emy. He began his business career as a 
dealer in lumber in the town of Dax'enport, 
where he is the owner of fourteen hundred 
acres of land, and operates a large steam saw- 
mill, being the leading manufacturer in this 
line in the county. Politically, he is a warm 
supporter of the Republican party, is a man 
of inHuence in local and county affairs, and 
for four years, from 1879 till 1883, served as 
County Sheriff. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Mar\- len l-^yck, is a native of 
Albany County, and one of a large family of 
children born to Henry and Nanc_\' (Goodrich) 
Ten Eyck. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford reared 
two children — ^ George \V. and Henry D. 
Both parents are active and faithful members 
of the Presbyterian church. 

George W. Crawford was reared beneath 
the paternal roof, and received his eilucation 
in the Davenport schools. He worketl with 
his father in the lumber business until the 
fall of 1888, when he and his brother, H. D. 
Crawford, came to Delhi, and established 
their present prosperous business, which they 
are constantly enlarging antl increasing. 
They are among the foremost manufacturers 
of carriages and wagons in the county, making 
traps, surreys, runabouts, for local trade, and 
making a specialty of an exceptionally fine 
line of lumber wagons, with tires ranging 
from two to five inches in width. These sub- 



stantial wagons are s(dd in liu- j'lastern and 
New York City markets. 

Mr. Crawford, on ihe isi i>l j.iuu.ir\. i.S.Sj, 
led to tlie altar .Ada 1-;. Smith, .i daughter ol 
Gilbert .Smith, of Davenport ('entre. l'"our 
children have come to Mess this uninu 
Edna, Nellie, Josie, and .Mary. Hefore leav- 
ing Davenport, Mr. Crawfunl, wiio is a stanch 
Republican, served efficiently as .Supervisdr 
for two years. In the lall of 1.S8S he was 
elected to the responsible [)osition of Countv 
Clerk, entering the office January i, 1889, 
and performed its duties with such fidelity 
that he was re-elected in 1891. Mr. Craw- 
ford is a Master Mason, belonging to Delhi 
Lodge, No. 439, A. !•'. & A. M.; and he and 
his familv atteml the Presbyterian church. 



/^JkORGF. L. SCHAFFICR, proprietor 
\ '3 I of the -Schaffer I louse, and a man of 
high standing in the town of Ro.x- 
bury, N.Y'.. was born in Schoharie County, 
July 14, 1843. His grandparents were Peter 
and Sail)' J. Scliaffer, who emigrated to Amer- 
ica hefore the Revrdution, and settled in Con- 
necticut. The grandfather was a native of 
Germany, while the grandmother was of 
Scotch birtii. .So Mr. Schaffer combines the 
characteristics of both races. Peter Schaffer 
served \alorously as a Captain during the war 
for independence; and after the disbandment 
of the army he came to New York and pur- 
chased three hundred acres of forest land in 
Schoharie County, on what is now known as 
Benham Hill. 'Mr. Schaffer built a log 
house, and, beginning at once to clear the 
land, became a ver\- successful farmer. Peter 
Schaffer lived to tlie age of eighty-nine years, 
and his wife was ninety-one at her death. 
They reared seven children — John, Andrew, 
James. HetsN', Poll)'. Margaret, and Sarah. 
Both live<l and died in tlie faith of the Meth- 
odist church. Mr. .Scliaffer was a Democrat, 
and was iilentified with politics from the 
organization of our national government ?■■ 
his death. 

Andrew .Schaffer, the second son, grew to 
manhood on the farm, helping his father clear 
the land, and peeling from the trees the bark, 
which was sold to pay for it, being the princi- 



672 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



pal source of ready money. His education 
was mostly obtained at the "fireside college," 
he having very little schooling. He served 
as a private in the War of 18 12. Just before 
he left home he married Margaret Mulford, 
the daughter of Ephraim Mulford. After he 
came back, he bought his father's farm and 
began to improve the land and put up substan- 
tial buildings. 

When he died, at fifty-one years of age, the 
farm was free from debt. His wife lived to 
be sixty-six years old. Both were members 
of the Methodist church. He was a Demo- 
crat, and held the oflfices of Supervisor and 
Poor Master. He had eight children — 
Patrick, Catherine, Henry, Jane, Abraham, 
Almey, Juliet, and George L. Schaffer. 

George was but a boy when his father died; 
and at the age of fourteen he left the farm, 
and began to work summers and go to school 
winters on his summer's earnings. His first 
month's wages were only six dollars; but he 
got an increase, and soon was earning more 
than any boy of his age in the neighborhood. 
When he was twenty years old, he received a 
license to teach. His first school was a very 
difificult one, which several teachers had given 
up as hopeless; but by tact and good judg- 
ment he was successful, and became very pop- 
ular with the School Commissioners. 

After giving up this school, he worked as a 
clerk for B. H. Avery, who kept a general 
merchandise store in Jefferson. At the end 
of two years he started in business with E. C. 
Baird; but after one year he sold out to his 
partner, and travelled with a cart, selling 
goods on the road. Then for a short time he 
kept a store at Benham, and subsequently was 
employed by an Albany grocery firm as a trav- 
elling salesman. He began hotel-keeping in 
Jefferson. In 1873 he bought his present 
hotel, called the Schaffer House, at Grand 
Gorge. He has remodelled the building and 
increased its accommodations. Besides doing 
a large local and commercial business, he 
takes city boarders during the summer. 

At the age of twenty-one he married 
Jemima Gallop, daughter of Amos and 
Jemima (Fuller) Gallop, of Jefferson, and 
grand-daughter of Levi Gallop, one of the 
earliest settlers of Schoharie County. Mr. 



Schaffer has had two children, only one of 
whom is now living, namely: Myra E., who 
was born August i, 1871, and in 1892 mar- 
ried Seymour N. Murphy, a commercial trav- 
eller representing the Amsterdam Woollen 
Manufacturing Company. Miles Schaffer was 
born August 15, 1872, and died when he was 
about six months old. 

Mr. Schaffer is a Republican, and has held 
offices in the town. He is a member of Jef- 
ferson Lodge, No. 554, A. F. & A. M., and 
is a highly intelligent, popular, and prosper- 
ous citizen. 




EV. ALBERT W. TERRY, proprie- 
tor of the Terry stock farm, one of 
the best-equipped summer resorts 
near Stamford, was born on this 
farm, March 19, 1856, in the town of Har- 
persfield, one mile from the village of Stam- 
ford. He is a great-grandson of Partial 
Terry, who went from Long Island and settled 
on what is now known as the Taylor farm in 
Jefferson, Schoharie County, which was then 
a complete wilderness with very few white 
people near. 

David Terry, son of Partial Terry, came 
over the mountains, and took up a tract of one 
hundred and thirty-eight acres. There had 
been a "squatter" on this land before his 
arrival; but David Terry put up a small 
house, cleared the land, and took full posses- 
sion. He became an extensive lumberman, 
cutting the timber, carrying it to the river 
below when the freshets came, and rafting it 
to Philadelphia. By selling this lumber he 
paid for his farm, and became one of the most 
prosperous men of his day. During his vari- 
ous trips to Philadelphia he learned brick- 
making, and upon his arrival home dug clay 
from the lake near his house, made bricks, 
and erected the first brick house in this part 
of the country, which is standing to-day, 
a model structure. It is made with marble 
window-sills, keystone in the arch over the 
door, with large and elaborate fireplaces in 
each end room. It is twenty by forty feet, 
two stories high, and patterned after the 
Philadelphia houses. Here he lived until his 
death, at the age of seventy-two; and his wife 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



died when seventy-nine years old. Botii were 
members of tlie Metliodist Kpiscopal church, 
and he was a Republiam. They had ei'dit 
children, se\en of whom are now living — 
William, Edward, Albert, Anna, Eliza, Har- 
riet J., Juliet, and Sarah. 

William, the eldest son, and the father of 
the subject of this sketch, was born on the 
homestead, October 23, 1S35, and received a 
district-school education. He married Mary 
C. Shaw, daughter of Alexantler Shaw, who 
was born in Scotland, and came to Stamford 
when a boy. Here he married Marjorie 
Grant, who was born December g, 1803, ant! 
was the daughter of Alexander and Jane 
(Thompson) Grant. Mr. and Mrs. William 
Terry had but one child, Albert, the subject 
of this biography. Mr. Terry went to Kings- 
ton, and with his two brothers engaged in ex- 
tensive brick business; but at his father's 
death he came into possession of the farm. 
He sold his interests in this, however, and 
went to Buffalo, where he entered into a real 
estate business, which he conducted for some 
time. He then went to Ohio, and bought a 
stock farm, upon which he is living at the 
present day. Both he and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Congregational church. 

.Albert W. Terry received an excellent edu- 
cation, attending the Stamford Seminary and 
Kingston public school, and completing his 
course at the Oberlin Collegiate Normal 
School in Ohio, after having graduated from 
the Buffalo High School. Having completed 
his studies, he went to Kingston, and acted as 
treasurer for his father's firm for a short 
time, and then assisted in the office of a 
steamboat companv in New York. He mar- 
ried Sarah J. Stevens, a teacher in the acad- 
emy at Kingston, daughter of William 
Stevens, a farmer who livetl and died in 
Lewis County. Mr. and Mrs. Terry have 
four children: Ruth Lowell, born October 28, 
1884; Helen Stevens, born November 29, 
1885; James Grant, born June 9, 1S88; and 
Margaret Josephine, born February 24, 1891. 

After marriage Mr. Terry returned to Ohio, 
and studied at the theological department of 
the Oberlin College, and served for five years 
as the pastor of the Congregational church. 
In the mean time the old home farm had come 



back into the possession of liis father, .md 
Mr. ferry now gave up his past<jrate and 
undertook the management of tliis estate. 
Here he made many improvements, building 
a large barn and making of the idd home a 
beautiful three-story house, finely furnished, 
in which he keeps about thirty cil\ ijoarders. 
Mr. Terry has a dair) of Jerse\s, twenty in 
number, and in his productive orchard ami 
garden raises abundant fruit for the tai)le. 




11, LI AM J. HOKi, a i)rosi)erous 
young farmer in Bovina Centre, is 
the son of Walter L. and Jane (Mc- 
.\air) Doig, and was born in the town of 
Bovina, December 19, 1862, under tiie Presi- 
dency of Abraham Lincoln, when the Civil 
War was at its height. In this year slavery 
in the District of Columbia was abolished by 
Congress, and forever prohibited in tlie Terri- 
tories of the reiniblic. 

The history of Mr. Doig's family will be 
found in the sketch of his brother, Andrew T. 
Doig, which apjjcars elsewhere in this volume. 
William J. Doig, the special subject of the 
present sketch, was educated in the district 
school, and early in life became familiar with 
the duties of a husbandman. His father hav- 
ing died, William still lives on the home 
farm, which he manages with marked success. 
He married Clara Margaret Sloan, daughter 
of David and Margaret (Hilson) Sloan, Janu- 
ary 27, 1S90. She was born in Bovina Cen- 
tre, October 4, 1 868. Her father now lives 
in California, but her mother died when only 
thirty years of age. Mr. Doig is a general 
and dairy farmer, kee|jing. besides other cat- 
tle, a fine herd of twenty-six grade Jerseys, 
from whose milk he averages no less than two 
hundred and eight) pounds of butter per head 
annually. This farm is especially adajjted to 
the requirements of tiie dairy: for a fine nat- 
ural and never-failing spring of water effects 
the temperature for cooling the cans, and also 
furnishes power by whicli the churning is 
done. Indeed, Mr. Doig has gilt-edged facil- 
ities for making gilt-edged l)Utter; and every 
pound he puts upon the market proves that he 
thoroughly understands the business he has 
undertaken. 



674 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



The home of Mr. and Mrs. Doig is ble.ssed 
by the benign presence of his mother; and it 
is also brightened by one child, a little 
daughter, Jennie M. Doig, who was born 
November lo, 1S91. The family are mem- 
bers of the United Presbyterian church at 
Bovina Centre, which was formed largely by 
the untiring efforts of their worthy ancestor, 
Walter Doig, one of the enterprising pioneer 
settlers of the town. In politics our subject 
is a Republican, living up to the traditions of 
the Doig family, of which he is an excellent 
and popular representative. The Doigs live 
in much comfort, the old farm being a pleas- 
ant abiding-place; and their residence is a 
fine specimen of the homes possessed by our 
prosperous and enlightened agriculturists. 



iLRA MOSEMAN, an enterprising mer- 
chant of Halcottsville, was born in the 
town of Halcott, Greene County, 
March 23, 1869, a son of William H. and 
Margaret (Whitney) Moseman. His grand- 
parents were Birdsill and Chloe (Faulkner) 
Moseman, the former of whom, when a young 
man, travelled afoot through the forest to 
Hunter, Greene County, where he obtained 
employment in cutting wood at fifty cents a 
cord, thus earning the first dollar he ever had. 
He worked in this way through the winter, 
boarding himself, and gaining early experi- 
ence in industry and thrift. He married 
Chloe Faulkner, and bought a farm in Hal- 
cott, where J. Scudder now lives. Improving 
the farm, he lived upon it for some time, then 
sold it, and bought another one at Windham, 
where he lived about eighteen years. He 
then sold it, and bought another farm in the 
south part of the town, where his son opened 
a small store. After some time he divided 
this farm into house-lots, and started a pretty 
village, now called Big Hollow, which is 
rapidly increasing in population. It has a 
school, three churches, one store, a black- 
smith-shop, etc., all due to the enterprise of 
the Moseman family. Mr. Moseman lived to 
be eighty-three years of age. His wife still 
survives him. He was a life-long Democrat, 
and a member of the Free Methodist Episco- 



pal Church. He left five children — William 
H.. Susie, Mattie, Robert, and John. 

William H. Moseman received his educa- 
tion in the district school in Halcott. At the 
age of twenty-one he bought a one-hundred- 
and-sixty-acre farm in the town, where he 
lived two or three years, and then sold out 
and bought a farm of one hundred acres at Big 
Hollow. Two years after, his health failing, 
he went into the mercantile business. He 
built a store at Big Hollow, started on a small 
scale, and gradually increased the business, 
but was finally obliged to give it up on ac- 
count of ill-health, having been in the busi- 
ness eleven years. 

Mr. Moseman is now living a retired life at 
Big Hollow. He married Margaret, daughter 
of Alfred and Phebe (Hammond) Whitney, 
and has two children: Mattie, living at home; 
and Elra, subject of sketch. In politics Mr. 
Moseman is a stanch Democrat. 

Elra Moseman, the subject of our sketch, 
was educated at Big Hollow. After leaving 
school he worked in his father's store for one 
year, and then took half-interest in the busi- 
ness. A year later he sold his interest; and 
after some time spent in looking for a good 
location he became associated with A. A. 
Lewis at Windham, with whom he remained 
two years. Next he was employed as clerk in 
the hotel. From there he came to Halcotts- 
ville, and formed a partnership with F. W. 
p-aulkner in the general merchandise business. 
This partnership continued six months, when 
Mr. Faulkner sold out his interest to Robert 
Moseman, an uncle of Elra. A short time 
after the formation of this new partnership 
Robert Moseman died, and Elra is now carry- 
ing on the business alone. In addition to the 
usual merchandise, he carries a good line of 
agricultural implements, drugs, etc. 

Mr. Moseman married Mary A. Lockvvood. 
daughter of Milo and Adaline (Lord) Lock- 
wood. Her father is a well-known and pro- 
gressive farmer of East Jewett, and has four 
children: George, who married Nancy Wood- 
worth, and has one child; Mary, wife of Mr. 
Moseman; Henry, who married Lena Peter- 
son, of East Jewett; and Pierce, who lives at 
home. Elra Moseman has two children: 
Lloyd, born November 18, 1888; and Ger- 



RIOGRAPHICAI, REVIF.W 



trude, born Novciiiljcr 2g, i S90. Like liis 
father and grandfather, he adheres to the prin- 
ciples of the Democratic party, and like them 
is energetic and enterprising. He is liberal 
in his rclisrious \ie\vs. 



r(;i:.\i-; iiiomas ki;.\i()k, ,,i Rux- 

nny, Delaware Coimt\-, was born Octo- 
ber 19, 1.S63. a son of Thomas \i. 
and Maria Sturgis Keator, and a grandson of 
Jacob C. Keator. His great-grandfather, 
Cornelius Keator, came to Delaware Comitv 
with his wife, Jenn\- S. Keator, and bought the 
fifty acres of land now nwned b\- Thdmas R. 
Keator. He built a snrall house, which he 
afterward enlarged, and kept an inn. He had 
si.K children — Isaac, Jacob, .Abraham, Hetsv, 
Rachel, and I'olly. Their mother died 
young; but their father married again, and 
lived to the great age of ninet\-four. 

Jacob Cornelius Keator, son of (.'ornelius, 
was se\'en years old when he came with his 
parents to Delhi, where he afterwartl married 
lilizabeth .Smith, a daughter of David and 
Jenny Moore .Smith. Da\id .Smith came o\er 
from .Scotland, and settled in Delhi, where he 
was known as one of the most progressive 
men of his time. 1! is children were : John^T, 
Jairus, Maria, Jeannette, David, Hruce, Jane, 
James, William, Ivlizabeth, and Ann. Before 
his marriage Jacob C. Keator learned shoe- 
making with George T'risbee. His father 
then gave him tiftv acres on the flats where 
the old red house now stands. Later Mr. 
Keator became an extensive land-owner, at 
one time owning seven farms, u|)on one of 
which, in 1S20, he built a house a story and a 
half high. In i<S4<S he comjileteti the comfort- 
able farm-house where he li\ed until his 
death, at ninety years of age, haxing been born 
November 23, 1797. He had seven children. 

His son, Thomas H. Keator, was born on the 
old homestead in iS2f). and until his eigh- 
teenth year was a |nipil at the district school. 
He finished his education at the T"ergu.s(jn 
Academy, graduating after only four terms, 
and then worked with his father until his 
thirty-fifth year. On January 14, 1862, he 
married Maria .Stin-gis, a tlaughter of (ieorge 
and -Sarah Sturgis, and a descendant of .Aaron 



lUur. ( ieorge .Sturgis hail eiglit (hijilmi- 
Daviil, Levi, John. Salina, idi/.abeth. .Mar\, 
Maria, and Charles Sturgis. The (hildreii oi 
Thomas H. and Maria (.Sturgis) Keator are 
Lugene T. and his sister, .Sar.ah 1... who w.is 
born -August 15. 1 .S65 

Lugene T. Keator was ediiciled at the !:■ 
bury .Academy, and worked c,ri the old h"i:M 
stead until his t went) -fifth \.,ir, when he 
bought a farm of two JnuKhed and fortv-five 
acres in the northern part of Kii.\bur\', now 
owned by IT Reed. Mr. Keator s[)ent lour 
successfid years in raising Ijolstein cattle, 
and was the owner of tjie noted Morgan 
stallion, but thereafter sold the farm in order 
to buy the large boarding-house formerh' 
owned by Dr. J. J. Keator, which he has since 
converted into a first-class hotel ; and through 
Mr. Keator's good management it has iiecome 
a favorite summer resort for fashionable citv 
boarders. 'The grounds are beautifulK' laid 
out, with jiaths sloping down to the Dehaware 
Ri\er, which flows through the estate. .Mr. 
Keator married Lillian Ma\ham, daughter of 
Lcirenzo and Timma (Hrewsten .Ma\ham. .Mr. 
Keator is a Republican, and has held man\ 
small offices in the town. In religious \iew>s 
he is verv liberal. 




'IILRM.W HLSHi:i:. a retired farmer, 
li\ing in Meredith .Sc|uare, has long 
been numbered among the most 
"^ substantial men in the business and 

agricidtural communitv of this jiart of Dela- 
ware Coutitv, being ]iossessed of more than 
average abilit\, great resolution, and energ\ of 
character, and those ([ualities upon which the 
prosperitv of a town and countv depend. He 
has spent his entire life in this section ot the 
coimtv, iJelhi having been the place of his 
birth, which occmred June 6, 1S2S. He 
comes of stanch old Xew Lngland stock. Hi", 
grandfather, ICiisha P.ishee, who wa> o| Mass;i- 
chusetts birth, came to Meredith as one of ii> 
earlv settlers, and, purcl)a>ing a trai t o| for,-; 
land, carried on farming until his 1! 
which was caused b\ a cancer. To him .iimi 
his wife were iioin ti\e children — .Allen. 
T.lisha. .Simmer, Harrison, and H.ithsheba. 

Of the .l^n. ;..-.. .l-...>.- .,,.■,,•; i S-.nnr,,-. 



676 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



was the father of Sherman. He was born in 
Massachusetts, learned the tanner's trade, and 
worked at it there until after his marriage, 
when he came with his wife and one or two 
children to this county. His first occupation 
after coming here was in the saw-mill with his 
father, where he remained some time. Then, 
buying a partl\- cleared farm in Meredith, he 
was engaged in agricultural pursuits several 
years, but ultimately went West, where his 
last years were spent. His wife was Charlotte 
Crane, one of several children born to Sumner 
Crane, a former resident of Massachusetts, but 
later one of the successful farmers of Meredith. 
They reared a family of nine children — Sum- 
ner, Charlotte, Sherman, Oman, Nancy Ann, 
Francis, Julia, Angelia, and Harriet. 

Sherman was reared on the farm and edu- 
cated in the district school, remaining a mem- 
ber of the ])arental household until attaining 
his majority. He was an indu.strious boy, and 
in his earlier years became an adept in the 
various branches of agricultural indu.stry. He 
began his independent career on the farm of 
Reuben Meekey, his father-in-law, carrying 
it on with success for twenty-five consecutive 
years. After the death of Mr. Meekey he 
came into possession of the estate, and con- 
tinued its care and improvement until 1893, 
when, having by industry and judicious man- 
agement accumulated a competency, he retired 
from the active pursuits of life. 

Mr. Bisbee was married in wSfg to Miss 
Adelia Meekey, the only daughter of the late 
Reuben Meekey, a farmer of Meredith, repre- 
sentative of an old family. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bisbee have an adopted daughter. In politics 
Mr. Bisbee supports the Prohibition ticket; 
and he and his wife are sincere members of the 
Baptist church, of which he is a Trustee. 




kOVATUS M. BLISH, of Stamford, is 
a great-grand.son of David Blish, a 
native of Connecticut, and a lineal 
descendant of Abraham Blish, who 
settled in Duxbury, Mass., in 1637, buying a 
farm of twenty acres at what is known as 
Eagle's Nest. In 1640 Abraham removed to 
Barnstable, Cape Cod, where he was among 
the first settlers, residing in the western part 



of the town, which is known as Great Marshes; 
and this property was owned by the Blish 
famih' for over two hundred years. July 17, 
1658, Abraham Blish purchased for seventy- 
five pounds a farm called the Dolar Davis 
place, situated in the eastern part of the town, 
which was known as the common field, and 
since that period has been called Blish' s 
Point. He was an active, energetic man, 
prominent in all tow^n affairs, and died Sep- 
tember 7, 1683, leaving a numerous family. 
Many of his posterity took ati active part in 
the Revolution and the War of 1S12, some 
also in the French and Indian War. 

Aaron Blish, son of David, was born in 
Connecticut and married Roxie Webster, of 
the same State. In 1790 they moved to 
-Stamford, Delaware County, where he pur- 
chased two hundred acres of wild land, which 
he cleared and improved, building a log house. 
He belonged to the State militia, and was well 
known as Colonel Blish. He was an active 
member of the United Presbyterian church at 
South Kortright, was a Whig in politics, and 
held the office of Justice of the Peace. Dis- 
posing of his first farm, he purchased one at 
Rose Brook, where he and his wife passed 
away, both having reached the age of seventy- 
five years. Of their ten children, three are 
still living: Mrs. Sall\- (iould, of -Stamford; 
Mrs. Elmira French, of Otsego County; and 
Mr.s. Koiily .Sutherland, of St. Paul, Minn. 

Their son, Novatus Blish, the father of the 
subject of this sketch, was born in Litchfield, 
Conn., but grew to manhood in the town of 
Stamford. He learned the blacksmith's 
trade, which he followed for some years, and 
then purchased a farm and adopted a farmer's 
life. Moving to Roxhurv, he kept a general 
store for about fi\e years, selling it at the 
expiration of that time, and returning to -Stam- 
ford, where he became possessor of a farm of 
one hundred and fifty acres and a store. 
These he operated for twenty-one years, adding 
land from time to time to his original pur- 
chase, until at his death he owned two hundred 
and fifty acres. He was a practical and suc- 
cessful business man, a Democrat in politics; 
and he and his wife were members of the 
Presbyterian church at -South Kortright. He 
came to his death at the age of fifty-seven 



BIOGRAPHICAL KKVIKW 



■77 



years In tall ill-- In.ni a scaffold. lie nianicd 
Mrs. Mary Mapcs Harli>\v, of Alhanv Cour" 
and she died at the old homestead u 
seventy-four years of a,L;e, leavinj^ two eiui- 
(Iren by her hrst husband and six by Mr. 
Blish, namely: Josejih Barlow, a resident of 
Ripon, Wis., and his sister, Mrs. Harriet 
SilJiman, wife of .A. C. .Silliman, of Ilobart ; 
Mary, who died when sixty-one years of a^e, 
the wife of William S. Foot, of Ilobart; 
Novatus M.. the subject of this bioi;raphv; 
David r. , who lives at .Atchison, Kan., and is 
engaged in the wholesale hardware business; 
Alonzo, who died at the age of se\enty-five ; 
.Aaron, who passed away when sixty vears old; 
and Henry, a resident of Hroome County. 

Xovatus M. Hlish was born in Roxbnry, 
July if), i.SjS, and grew up in ihe town of 
.Stamford, attending the district school, and 
later the Hanford .Academy at Hobart. When 
nineteen years of age, after the death of his 
father, he assumed the charge of the old home- 
stead, and settled his father's business affairs. 
He then |)urchased the home farm and the 
store, ()|)erating the latter until [861, when he 
sold it. L'ntil i.Syj he occupied the old 
home, but then mo\ed awav to make room 
for his son. He increased the extent of the 
farm land to four hundred and thirty acres, 
making it one ot the largest and most ])ro- 
ducti\e farms in the town. Here hi' o[)eraled 
a flair)', in which industr\- he was \(.'r\- suc- 
cessful. 

On September 2 2, 1 .S49, Xovatus M. Hlish 
married Miss .Marietta Cowan, who was born 
in .Stamford, December 13, 1.S30, a daughter 
of John and Xellie ((irant) Cowan. Mrs. 
Blish ])assed awav March 25, rScj^, at the home 
of her daughter. Mrs. (iritlin. having been the 
mother of four children: Charles A., born in 
1852, and at ])resent the Ceneral Agent of the 
Portland Insurance Com|)an\- in .San I'ran- 
cisco. C'al., where he resides with his wife 
and four children; Helen, who was the wife 
of Bruce Chisholm. but has ])assed awa) , Johti 
C. , who is marrietl, lias one child, and lives on 
the old homestead; Mrs. I'.tta CiritTui. wife of 
Thomas (iriffin, and mother of two childr-" 
Bruce B. and Kenneth B. .Mr. Hli- 
Presbyterian and a Rei)ubliean, ha\ing lieKl 
the office "f lust ice of the I'eace for twehe 




ye.irs ,ind Justice o| the .Session for two terms. 
Mr has now retired fiorn active busin.ss, .uul 
es with his <lau;;IUer, Mrs. diilliu. An 
u|Might, tnislwoithy man, he ludds an exalted 
position in the regard of ;ii| who are fortunate 
enough to claim his act)uaintance. 



r^DRRlLL BL'RRIll.L, j'ostmaster 
at Davenport Centre, ;in(l a le:id- 
ing merchant of the town, is 
numbered among the active and 
enterprising citizens of Delaware County, of 
which he is a native. His grandfather, Caleb 
Burrell, was for many years an esteemed resi- 
dent of this town, but later lived in Otsego 
County. He reared a family of six childrer). 
his son Charles being the father of the subject 
of this brief sketch. 

Charles Ikirrell has spent the larger part of 
his life in Davenport. He is now a resident 
of the village, where he is carrying on a sub- 
stantial nursery business, his enter[)rise and 
intelligent ap]ilication to this branch of horti- 
culture being rewarded by eminent success. 
To him and his wife, formerly Catherine 
Rowe, a native of Davenport, four children 
have been born; namely, Herman, .\nna. 
Morrill, and Se\mour. 

Morrill, the second son of his |jarents. was 
born on July 26, 1865, and was reared on the 
farm of his father, receiving a practical edu- 
cation in the da\s of his youth. I'arming n')t 
being congenial to his tastes, when c|uite a 
\()ung man he established himself in a mer- 
cantile business as a dealer in groceries: and, 
having in the course of a year built u|) a good 
trade, he w:ts encouraged to build his present 
store, which is one of the finest of its kind in 
the place. He carries ;i complete stock of 
general merchandise, containing all the arti- 
cles usually called for by the countrv or vil- 
lage housewife, and has an extensive and 
lucr.iti\e business. 

In 1892 Mr. Burrell married Xellie Ward, 
the accomplished daughter of I)exter Ward. .1 
mechanic residing in r):ivenport : and their 
home is one of the geni;il ,tnd hospitable 
jilaces of resort in the village. Mr. Burrell. 
poliiicallv, is an uncompromising Democrat, 
and has served as Town Clerk three vears. 



678 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



In 1893 he was appointed Postmaster, and is 
fulfilling; the duties of the office with fidelity 
and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Both 
he and his wife are earnest members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. 



fOHX McGIBBON, a prominent farmer 
of the town of VValton, Delaware 
County, N. v., was born January 7, 
1854, only son of Robert and Margaret 
McCiibbon. Robert McGibbon was a native 
of Scotland, but came to this country with his 
father when quite young. He was brought 
up to agricultural pursuits, and settled upon 
the farm which is now owned by his son, the 
.subject of this sketch. He was one of the 
leading men of his vicinity, and was highly 
respected as a man of sterling worth. His 
death occurred on the old homestead at the 
age of fifty-three. He and his wife were the 
parents of two children, John and Mary. 
Mrs. Margaret McGibbon spent her last days 
in the village of Walton, where she died in 
1884. 

John McCJibbon received a good common- 
school education, and remained at home work- 
ing on the land, being still a young man at the 
time of his father's death, on which event he 
assumed control of this excellent farm of one 
hundred and seventy-five acres. Here he 
keeps a very large dair)', making a celebrated 
grade of butter. He has a fine maple orchard 
of eight hundred trees. He uses a Vermont 
evaporator, and has made as high as two thou- 
sand five hundred pounds of sugar in one 
season. Mr. McGibbon has always taken an 
active interest in politics, being a strong sup- 
porter of the Republican party. He was 
elected to the office of E.xcise Commissioner, 
a position which he filled in a most capable 
manner for three years. In 1882 he was 
elected Highway Commissioner; and so well 
and acceptably did he fill that important 
office that he was re-elected each year until 
1888, and has been again elected this present 
year, 1894. In this capacity Mr. McGibbon 
has done an immense amount of work, being 
instrumental in building several important 
bridges, among others being the iron bridge 
at Walton over the Delaware River, 



Mr. McGibbon was married in 1876 to 
Miss Nettie C. McDonald, a daughter of 
David Ci. McDonald, an old .settler of this 
locality, presumably also of Scotch origin. 

Mr. and Mrs. McCiibbon have five bright 
and interesting children; namely, Maria L., 
Robert F., Margaret, Jane A., and Donald D. 
In religious views Mr. McGibbon is a sup- 
porter of the United Presbyterian church, of 
which his wife is a member. Mr. McGibbon 
has ahvavs been known as one of the thoroughlv 
representative men of his district, ever ready 
and willing to devote his time and influence 
to the best interests of the community. A 
man of the highest probity and honor, his 
character is un.stained. 

In close proximity to the present sketch 
will be found a portrait of this useful and es- 
teemed citizen. 



DWARD S. METCALF, a prosperous 
farmer residing about a mile south of 
West Davenport, extensively engaged 
general farming, stock-raising, and dairy- 
was born in Davenport on October 29, 




m 
in£ 



1846. His grandfather, Ira Metcalf, was 
among the early settlers of the town, where he 
cleared and improved a tract of wooded land ; 
but he subsequentlv removed to l-"ox Lake, 
Wis. 

Edward W. Metcalf, son of Ira, was born in 
Davenport, and from his earliest years was 
engaged in farming, first on the paternal 
homestead, and later on a rented farm, where 
he lived five years. He then bought a farm in 
Stamford, and was for many years one of the 
leading farmers of the locality. He married 
P'annie Smith, the daughter of lOzekiel and 
Elizabeth Smith, who reared a large family of 
children, the following being their names: 
Maria ; Harriet ; Keturah ; Phcebe ; F.mma, 
the only one now living; Mary; P'annie, 
Mrs. Metcalf; and Charles. Three children 
were born into the parental household, 
namely: Edward S. . of this sketch; Albert, 
formerly a farmer in Davenport, but now en- 
gaged as a butcher in Stamford; and Spencer, 
who died at the age of thirteen years. The 
])arents were both earnest workers in the Pres- 
byterian church at Stamford, the father being 




(John Mc Gibbon, 



BIOGRAPHICAI, REVIEW 



r,8i 



an l^ldcr, and both being prominently con- 
nected with the Sunda\-school. 

Young Edward was reared and cchicated in 
Stamford, whither his parents removed aixmt 
four years after his birth. I'Vom the district 
school he |)roceeded to Stamford Seminarx', 
where he took a full course of stud\', after his 
graduation being employed for two years as a 
teacher in the public schools. In 1 8<So Mr. 
Metcalf removed to Meredith, where he rented 
a farm for eight years. Remoxing then to 
Oneonta, he assisted his brother-in-law in the 
milk business for a year. Desirous of becom- 
ing a land-owner, Mr. Metcalf then came to 
Dayenport and hired the farm where he now 
lives, and which he ])Lu-chased at the end of 
the year. It contains one hundred and se\ent\- 
two acres of choice land. lie has been ]irin- 
cipallv engaged in dairying and general 
farming, keeping graded Jerse\'s and raising 
some stock. I\Tr. Metcalf's career as a farmer 
and dair_\-man has been chai'acteri/ed by 
shrewd common sense and good business 
habits. In ]iolitics he is a strong Re]niblican, 
activeh' adyocating the |Minciples of that i)art\. 

In NS/f), the centeiuiial year, Mr. Metcalf 
was miited in marriage with luuma I", (iood- 
rich, the daughter of Ira (ioodrich, a thri\ing 
farmer of I)a\'en])ort. Two children ha\e 
been born of this union, one of whom, l.ennie, 
is now lixing. Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf occu])y 
a gootl position among the intelligent and 
thrifty inhabitants of the conununit\-, and 
during their residence here ha\e made many 
warm friends. Thex' are both esteemed mem- 
bers of the Methodist church at West Dayen- 
])()rt, and are active workers in the .Sunday- 
school, he being superintendent, and his wife 
one of its most faithful teachers. 



"ir^.WlD L. WKiHT. C'ounty Sui)erin- 

|p=| tendenl of the I'oor, and an active, 

^.J^^y wide-awake agriculturist of the town 



of Delhi, is a native of this county, 
having ojx'ned his eves to the light ( )ctober 6, 
1856, in the town of Hoxina. Like some 
other of Delhi's most thrifty and intelligent 
citizens. Mr. Wight is of .Scotch extraction, 
being the son of William Wight, a native of 
Scotland. 



1 homas Wight, the father of Willi. ini, liye.l 
among the banks and braes of the land of Scoii 
and Hums for m.iiiy years before he sought tlu- 
shores of .America, bringing with him his 
family, and settling in Hu\ in.i. near L.ikc 
Delaware. lie took up a timbered Inul, In.m 
which he improved a homesteail. where he and 
his faithful heipm.ite, who performed her lull 
share of jjioneer lalmr, resided until (ailed to 
the life immortal. Ihes were people of great 
moral worth, and niendiers of the i'resbyle- 
rian church, in which he served as De.acoii 
for many years. Their family contained the 
following children: John, James. William. 
I'homas. Nancy. Margaret, and Betsy. 

William Wight was the third son liorn to 
his parents, and was cpiite young when he 
came with them to this country. lie was 
rearetl to the occupation of a farmer; and after 
thi' death of his father he assumed the manage- 
ment ot the old homestead, where he ami his 
good wife, Isabella Laidlaw, a native of .Scot- 
land, resiiled until a few years since, when 
they both came to the home of our subject. 
They are held in high res])ect throughout the 
community, and are worthy members of the 
Presbyterian church. l-"our of their \'\\<: chil- 
dren grew to maturitv. as follows: David I.. : 
Jennie, who married I-'.lmer Hall, the son of 
Richard Hall, of Delhi; Thomas C. ; and 
.\ el lie. 

David I.. Wight was educated in the dis- 
trict school and Delaware .Academy, and 
accpiired a jiractical knowledge of farming in 
all of its branches on the paternal homestead. 
He was subseipiently engaged in contracting 
for several years, and. having accumulateil 
some money, invested it in the farm of owr 
one hundred acres which he now owns and 
occupies. In addition to general farming, he 
keeps a large dairy of graded Jerseys, selling 
the milk to the creamery. 

On Tebruary j:;. i.S.Sj. .Mr. Wight was 
united in marriage to C-arrie C'oe. a daughter 
of Charles W. and I{liz;d)eth t"oe. and a grand- 
daughtei of Elihu C'oc. who was the son nf 
Cyrus Coe. a life-long resident of ConnecticiU. 
T.lihu Cue was born and re;ired to m;mhood in 
that .State, but after marriage removed to 
namdeii, \.^'.. where he cle;ired a tnict of 
wild land, which after his death came int>' 



682 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



the possession of his son Charles, the father of 
Mrs. Wight, who resided there until his death, 
at the age of sixty-five years. Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Coe is still living, making her home in 
Walton, but managing the farm. She and 
her hu.sband had five children, as follows: 
Emma, who is the widow of Milton Wilson; 
Olive, deceased, who married a farmer of 
Delhi; Wilbur; Carrie, Mrs. Wight; and 
Melissa, who married Malcolm Launt. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wight are the jiarents of three 
children — Bessie Coe, Isabella, and Charles 
David. Mr. Wight is a member of the 
Grange, and belongs to Delhi Lodge, Xo. 439, 
A. F. & A. M. He is a stanch adherent of 
the Republican party, and has served as High- 
way and Street Commissioner. In 1890 he 
was elected County Superintendent of the Poor 
for a term of three years, performing the 
duties of the office so satisfactorily that in 
1893 he was re-elected to this position. He 
and his good wife arc valued members of the 
Presbyterian church, in which all of his chil- 
dren have received the rite of baptism. 




II. LI AM EDWARD JENNER, 
M.D., i)hysician and surgeon, one 
of the leading practitioners of Wal- 
ton, Delaware County, comes of distinguished 
stock, and is a native of Sandgate, County 
Kent, I-'ngland, born on the eighth day of De- 
cember, 1S57. lie is a descendant of the 
world-renowned Dr. I'xlward Jenner, discoverer 
of vaccination, who was born May 17, 1749. 
at Berkeley, (iloucestershire, England. 

Richard B. Jenner, the father of the subject 
of this sketch, was born and educated in Wilt- 
shire, England, and in early life was married 
to Sarah Pierce, a native of Hasting.s, their 
nuptials being solemnized in the town of 
Sandgate, where they settled. He embarked 
in the drug trade, in which he met with excel- 
lent success, carrying it on for some years. 
He possessed good financial ability, and, sub- 
sequently engaging in the banking business, 
accumulated a valuable property. He re- 
mained in -Sandgate, numbered among its 
valued and respected citizens, until his death, 
in 1889. Mrs. Jenner is still living in Eng- 
land, a member of the Anglican church. Of 



the eleven children born to them, we record 
the following: Agnes, an unmarried lady, who 
lives at Sandgate; Alice, who is the wife of 
Richard Fynnemore, and resides in Sandgate; 
Mary, who is the. wife of James Kennett, and 
resides at Folkestone, England; Harry, who 
lives in Springfield, Mo. ; William Edward, 
the subject of this sketch; Bessie, who is a 
resident of Toronto, Canada, a certified nur.se, 
and a graduate of Charing Cross Hospital, 
London, P^ngland, of Crumpsall Infirmary, 
Manchester, England, and of Victoria Hospi- 
tal, Folkestone, England ; Herbert, who is 
Cashier in a bank, and a resident of Sandgate; 
tldith, the wife of William P~anclough, who 
lives in Toronto, Canada; Beatrice, who is 
engaged in teaching in Bonn on the Rhine, in 
Germany; Dorothea, who lives in Sandgate; 
and John, the owner of a ranch in New 
Mexico. 

William E. Jenner was educated in the city 
of London, and after leaving school was em- 
ployed in the drug store of his father for five 
years. He was subsequently graduated from 
the school of pharmacy in London. In 1885 
he came to America, and spent the first year 
in Austin, Tex., engaged as a druggist. He 
followed the .same business in San Antonio 
another year, and then continued it in Brook- 
lyn, N. Y. He next entered the office of Dr. 
Hutchinson, of Brooklyn, and in the mean 
time attended medical lectures at Long Island 
Hospital, from which he was graduated in the 
class of 1889. After practising for a year in 
Brooklyn, Dr. Jenner visited the scenes of his 
early life, spending some time with his rela- 
tives and friends acro.ss the water. In the 
autumn of 1893 he settled in the village of 
Walton, opening a drug store and engaging in 
general practice, and is meeting with good 
success in both. He is a man of superior 
mental culture, capable in business, and has 
already won the confidence of the peojjle to a 
large extent. Socially, he is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, belonging to Walton 
Lodge, No. 559, and is likewise a member of 
the Brooklyn Medical Association. 

In the month of February, 1892, Dr. Jenner 
was united in marriage with Ella (Chrisman) 
Raymond. Mrs. Jenner is the daughter of 
Abraham Chrisman, who was a prominent 



RIOGRAPHICAI, RF.VIF.W 



f,H;^ 



farmer and stock-raisor of DL-lawan.- Count v. 
She had been previously married, her first 
husband havini,^ been Howard Raymond, a 
conductor on the Ontario & Western Kailwav, 
who was accidentally killed on the road. Of 
her union with Mr. Raymond one child was 
born, a fine boy, named I-'lovd Ravmond. 



r^" 



I'.ORtjl'; (..\.\OL\(i, an enterprisin- 
\\^ I business man of Roxburv, was horn 
in this town in i .S46. and has lived 
an honorable and useful life in the community 
in which his lot has been cast. He comes of 
l-'rench descent through the paternal line, 
being a great-grandson of John (lanoung, who 
came from France, and who received his grant 
of land in Putnam County directlv from King 
(ieorge, gold and silver being reserved, as in 
all the Colonial patents, to the crown. John, 
the emigrant ancestor, was married twice. 
His second wife was Abigail, widow of a Mr. 
Sloat ; and of this marriage eight children 
were born — Devoe, Snififin, Harrv, Horace. 
John, Hannah, Sarah, and ICbenezer. 

De\-oe was born in i'utnam Counts' on 
I-"ebruary 11, 1788, and came with his father 
to Delaware Countv when si.\ \ears old. His 
life was passed in this localit\-, wheie he 
raised a family of eight children — John, 
Sally, Hannah, Jane, Julia, Thomas, Sniffm. 
and Fdward. Devoe (ianoimg ma\- be called 
a pi(nu-er farmer, since his land was cleared 
from the [irimeval forest growth. This estate 
is now owned by ICbei Cartwright, and is one 
of the finest farms in the \-alle_\-. The sturdy, 
energetic farmer, whose toilsome tilling of the 
virgin soil was crowned by well-deserved suc- 
cess, lived to the advanced age of ninetv vears. 
His wife. Sarah (Gregory) Canoung. lived 
also to a green old age. 

.Sniffin, the father of the l\o\iiur\' manufact- 
urer whose name forms the initial word of 
this sketch, was born at Hataxia Kill. At the 
age of si.\ years he went to live with his uncle 
Sniffin. When he grew u]), he bought out his 
uncle's estate in the town of Ro.\bur\', now 
belonging to J. W. Scudder. Besides follow- 
ing other avocations, he was a successful horse 
dealer, travelling back and forth across the 
countrs' as far west as the Niagara Ri\er on 



horseback. in 1869 he took up his residiim- 
near the Ro\biiry depot, ;ind openid .1 st,,i,- 
He married llkclra, the daughter d Hiram 
and Sally (iterden) Kelh. 

deorge (ianoung li\eii with lii> -n-.ii um !< 
when a small hoy, and was cducateil at th<- 
Ri>.\bury Academy. He showed in earls lili- 
an aptitude for iht- use of t<]o|>. :ind, after 
working for a time as a clerk, naturalh drifted 
Irom the counter to the mechanic's bench. 
He was emjjloyed as foreman in a sash .ind 
blind factory, where business detail as well as 
mechanical profuiencs was ihoroiighU imis- 
tered, laying the found.ition of the prosperous 
business in whith he afterward emh.irked 
Coming into |)ossession of the propert\- once 
owned by his uncle, he built a large niill in 
1870, which has since been enlarged, and es 
tablished a sash, blind, and door factory, and 
a saw and ])laning mill. In 1869 he married 
Josephine Aiken, a daughter of lienjamin II. 
and Pauline (Mead) Aiken. .\ daughter. ( )ra. 
blessed this marriage in 1879. Mr. ( ianoung 
has the best wishes of all thcpse who rejoiee in 
seeing the reward of effort bestowed ujion him 
who justly deser\es it. 




R.s. CA riii;Ri.\i-: j. \\i;ir. ..f 

Sidney, is the daughter of |;/ia 
and Mary (l-'oote) Clark, and the 
widow of the late William lones 
Weir, who was for m;in\- vears a respected 
mi-mber of the agricultural community, and a 
worth}- citizen of the town. Mr. Weir was 
born December ^o. 1816. and died on the farm 
now owned and occujjied b\ his widow, in De- 
cember, 1876. His father, William C. Weir, 
was a native of Chemung Count\-. ha\ing been 
born and reared in the town of Southport : .ind 
in that jdace he dejiarted this life. d\ing of 
old age at the home of John Hrown. He mar- 
ried Miss Jones, a sister of the Re\. .Simeon 
Jones. 

William Weir was twice married, his lirst 
wife, to whom he was wedded in 1S4:;. was 
Susan Clark, a sister of the present Mrs. Wtii 
She (lied February 24. 1855. at the age o| 
forty-four years, leaving one daughter. Kate 
FUen Weir, who died in Chicago. 111., in 
January, 1890. ageil forty''" '^'' 



684 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Weir was a highly educated and intelligent 
woman, and, notwithstanding her frail physical 
organization, was a very successful teacher. 
In January, 1856, Mr. Weir and Catherine J. 
Clark were united in marriage; and their 
pleasant pathway was brightened l^y the birth 
of three children, who are now the comfort 
and solace of their widowed mother's life. 
The eldest child, Alice, married J. A. 
Priestly, M. D., of Chicago; and they have 
two cliildren, a son and a daughter. The | 
.sons, William B. and Alfred C, the latter j 
being familiarly known as I'rcd, arc wide- 
awake, active young men, and enterprising ! 
members of the industrial community of Sid- 
nev, where they arc established as printers and 
publishers of two papers, one of them being 
the Sidney Despatch. l-"red is married, 
and the happ\' father of two little girls. 

l^zra Clark, the father of Mrs. Weir, had two 
wives, the first being I'olly Hanks, of West- 
chester County. She bore him two sons and 
two daughters, all of whom grew to maturity; 
and of the.se four children the youngest, and 
the last surviving member, died quite recently 
in Morris, N. Y. Of his union with Mary 
Foote three girls and two 1)o\s were born, 
none of whom are now living cvcejiting Mrs. 
Weir and one of her brothers, a retired lawyer, 
residing in IJainbridgc, Chenango County. 
He is a graduate of Hamilton College, and 
(luring his professional life had an extensive 
and lucrative jjractice. The farm which Mrs. 
Weir now owns was settled u])on her by her 
father in 181 1, and at the time of his purchase 
contained one hundred and nineteen acres. 
Mr. Clark being unable to pay fully for the 
land in hard ca.sh, made part payment in cattle. 
He began life with limited means, but by 
industrious labor and economy he became 
successful and prosperous. The (larks were 
a numerous family, and had lived in Bedford, 
Westchester County, for many generations, 
coming to Delaware County from there. They 
were not of aristocratic ancestry, Init were 
earnest workers, and accounted good and loyal 
citizens. 

On the maternal side of the house, hr)wever, 
Mrs. Weir is descended from a noble family of 
England, who in years gone by were accus- 
tomed to dine in state, and were waited upon 



by a retinue of servants. Joseph Foote, the 
grandfather of Mrs. Weir, was a commissioned 
officer in the Revolutionary army; and his 
daughter Mary used to delight in telling her 
children how she used to sit upon General 
Washington's knee. Mrs. Weir is a well- 
known and highly esteemed lady, possessing a 
great deal of intelligence and energy. 




-AL.Sl-A' I3KAX, a respected citizen of 
)elhi, is familiarlv known through- 
out this jiart of the county, where 
he has resided, man and boy, for 
threescore years. On the farm which he has 
ablv managed for a long period of time he 
drew the first breath of life, on July 29, 1835. 
His father, William Dean, a native of Con- 
necticut, a cooper by trade, was one of the 
earlier settlers of Delhi. He took up a tract 
of timber, and in the log house which he 
reared he and his wife began their pioneer 
work. He labored with a sturdy determina- 
tion, and in the years that followed put his 
place in good order and erected good frame 
buildings. On the homestead which he im- 
proved he spent his remaining years, living 
until 1884. His wife, Hannah Gates, of 
Connecticut, died at the home of our subject, 
when seventy-eight years old. Both of these 
worth)- people were faithful members of the 
Congregational church. They reared a family 
of seven children — Lucinda, Adaline, Julius, 
Hiram, Maria, Warner, and Halsey. A 
brother of his wife came to Delhi at the same 
time that he did, and was for many years suc- 
cessfully engaged in the lumber business, and 
also improved a good farm. 

Halse\- Dean carl}' became jiractically 
acquainted with the art of tilling the soil. 
After the death of his father he and a brother- 
in-law assumed the management of the home- 
stead, and for twelve years they worked that 
and the adjoining farm in partnershi]). Mr. 
Dean has since continued the cultivation and 
improvement of the homestead alone. He has 
constantly added to the improvements already 
instituted; and since his residence here he has 
erected the fine dwelling-house, convenient 
barn, and other out-buildings. Besides mixed 
hu.sbandrv, he pays a good deal of attention to 



RIOGRAPIIICAI. RKVIEW 



685 



clluryini,^ tindiiii; il a wry |)niMlahlc l)iaiKli (.1 
the business. 

The union of Mr. Dean uitii Maij^arcl 
Hi)i;'art, of Colclicstcr, look ]>lacc in 1S54. ( )f 
the three children ixirn to them, two are now- 
living — Adaline and Lewis A. The former, 
who married Joiiii Myers, has one ehild, 
Halscy Carleton. Lewis A., a farmeL resid- 
ing on a farm adjoining his father's, married 
Anna I-'isher: and they have two children — 
Laura and H. Margaret. Mr. Dean is a stanch 
supporter of the i)rinciples of the Republican 
party, and both lie and his excellent wife are 
members of the Methodist church. 




SCAR F. IIARPKR is a retired resi- 
dent of the village of Sidney, where 
he has lived for the past twentv-si.x 
years. He is of old Scotch-Irish an- 
cestry, and a great-grandson of Colonel John 
Harper, who came from Connecticut to the 
State of New V'ork before the Revolution. 
He had five sons -- William, James, John, 
Joseph, and Alexander. They were the pos- 
sessors of twenty-two thousand acres of land, 
inclutling what is now Har])ersfield, Dclaw^-u•e 
County, the title for which they had received 
from King George, it being a patent dated 
Decembers, 1769, bearing a seal the size of 
a saucc-ijlate. This document was handed 
down from generaticjn to generation; and, 
when Oscar was a boy, it was still a family 
heirloom, in the possession of Judge Hotchkiss 
in West Harpersfield, where it was destro\ed 
by fire with his dwelling and all his house- 
hold effects in 1S61. Judge Hotchkiss married 
Margaret, daughter of Colonel John Harper, 
at Lake Delaware, the britlal pair standing in 
Delaware County, and the minister in Scho- 
harie Comity. He w^as a man of marked abil- 
ity, and was widelv known for his almost 
perfect handwriting, as plain and uniform as 
printed matter. He was ]ironiineiit in public 
life for man\' years, being Postmaster at West 
Harpersfield for forty \ ears, and dietl about 
1847, on the old home farm, which is now 
occupied by his grandson, Daniel X. Gaylord. 
John Harper, Sr.. was a Colonel in the 
Frencli and Indian War, and narrowly escapetl 
capture b\- the Indians while saving the fam- 



ily ol the Rev. William Johnson, one ot the 
original settlers of Sidney. His son, Will- 
iam H.irper, gr.inilfatiur of the subj.Tt o| thj^ 
sketch, m.irrietl Hannah Hotchkiss; .iM<ltlirv 
became the parents of nine chihiren, live sons 
and four daughters. .\11 lived to grow up 
and have children of their own, e\((|)l one 
son, Riiswell Harper, who was .1 volunteer in 
the War of 1S12, when but sixteen years ol 
age, and died while in service. ! hrse chil- 
ilren have all jxissed away, the List of them. 
George Harper, the youngest of the f.iinily, 
having died in the winter of 1S92, near 
Waterbury, Conn., aged eighty-two vears. 

Oscar I'". Harper was born in Davenport, 
Delaware County, May 5, iSi.S', January 25, 
1844, he married Miss Lydia Hotchkiss, uf 
Harpersfield, who died November 23. US79, in 
Sidney, leaving five sons and one daughter, 
namely: Joseph IL, a civil engineer in liutte 
City, Mont.; Linus I', and George IL, of 
Lincoln, Neb.; Ella G., wife of Leonard 
Kellogg, also of Linc(dn; Porter, who mar- 
ried Miss Kittie Bradford, of Sidnev, and has 
one daughter, I'.Ua, amiss of fourteen vears: 
William R., a railroatl engineer ;it Green 
Island near Iroy, who has one daughter, 
Maud. .Mrs. Kellogg has one son. (jrville. a 
student in the University at Lincoln, .Neb. 

Mr. Harper is universally respected in tin- 
town wliere he has been so long a resident, 
numbering among his friends the most cult- 
ured and |irominent people of Sidnev and 
the surroumlini;- tow-ns. 




(gjTOllX AM. LI-:W1S ROSK are well- 
_1I known wagon-makers in the village ol 
il.imden, where ihev have a firmlv es- 
taidisheii trade. John Rose, the senior 
member ot the firm, was born in 1S59. in .Sul- 
livan Countv, New \'ork ; .nul Lewis Rose, 
the junior member, is a native of the siniie 
place. Their father, .-\ustin Rose, who is 
now living in the town of ILmiden, retired 
from agricultural |Hirsuits, was born in (ireene 
County, New 'V'ork, in I Si 5, ;ind, although 
never jjossessing very vigorous bodilv health, 
still retains the full use of his mental powers. 



a bright and active man of nearly four- 
score years. He has been twice marrietl. 



being 



686 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



His first wife, Harriet Carley, bore him one 
child, Edwin L. Rose, who, when a boy of 
sixteen years, enlisted in the Fifty-sixth New 
York Volunteer Infantry, and after the close 
of the war joined the band of adventurous and 
enterprising young men whosought their fort- 
unes in the Black Hills. The father was 
also a soldier in the late Rebellion, having 
enlisted October i6, 1862, but, after serving 
a little more than a year, was discharged, 
coming home in December, 1863, physically 
disabled. The maiden name of his second 
wife, to whom he was married in 1857, was 
Harriet Haines. She was one of four chil- 
dren, two daughters and two sons, born to her 
parents, Lewis and Lucy (Congdon) Haines, 
neither of whom is now living. By this 
marriage the two sons of whom we write were 
the only children. In politics the father has 
been a life-long Democrat, and, although not 
in sympathy with the methods of the Prohibi- 
tionists, has never used intoxicating drinks. 
His wife is a consistent member of the Meth- 
odist church. 

Tobias Rose, the father of Austin Rose, 
was for many years engaged in farming in 
Ulster County, removing from there to Greene 
County in 18 19, bringing with him his wife 
and six children. Two more children were 
added to their household, and of these eight 
children three sons are now living. The par- 
ents subsequently returned to Ulster County, 
where both lived until far advanced in years. 

The life records of John and Lewis Rose 
have been very similar, both having left 
school at an early age to earn something 
toward their own support, entering the em- 
ployment of J. B. Gardner at Fallsburg. 
Lewis began to sandpaper woodwork at the 
age of eight years, and to do odd chores about 
the shop. Two years later he was doing me- 
chanical work, receiving twenty cents a day, 
and boarding at home, his brother John, who 
was then eleven years of age, getting twenty- 
five cents a day. After remaining thus em- 
ployed for five years, they started out as jour- 
neymen ; and from that time until the present 
day these sterling mechanics have worked 
continuously at their trade. They have been 
obliged to rely solely upon their own efforts, 
their father coming out of the army poor, not 



only in health, but in purse; and the self-reli- 
ance thus early necessitated has contributed 
largely to their success in life. In February, 
1885, Messrs. Rose bought out the business 
of E. B. Buckingham, and have since carried 
on a substantial trade in this village. They 
have without doubt had a wider experience in 
wagon-making than any other one of their 
years in Delaware County. 

John Rose entered the matrimonial estate 
October 9, 1883, being then wedded to Geor- 
giana Greff, of Delhi. Three children have 
been born to them, namely: Paul, who was 
taken away when only three months old ; Ger- 
trude E., born April 8, 1892; and Helen, 
born March 24, 1894. Socially, Mr. John 
Rose is a Knight Templar, belonging to the 
Norwich Commandery. He is a sincere wor- 
shipper at the Methodist church, and is super- 
intendent of the Sunday-school. Politically, 
both he and his brother are stanch members of 
the Republican party. On November 10, 
1887, Lewis Rose was married to Gertrude, 
daughter of John Griffin. Her father came to 
this country from Germany when a young 
man, and was here wed to Elizabeth Face, 
who is now a widow, and resides in Delhi. 



ZRA OSTERHOUT, a venerable citi- 
zen of Meredith, occupying a farm at 
Meredith Hollow, may well be 
called a pioneer of this section of the county, 
having lived here for nearly fourscore years. 
He was born in Albany County, February 7, 
181 7, and was brought to Meredith an infant 
in his mother's arms, his father having taken 
up a tract of wild land in this town. 

Mr. Osterhout is of Dutch descent. His 
father was Henry, third son of George Oster- 
hout. Henry Osterhout was born in Bethle- 
hem, Albany County, and was reared to 
agricultural pursuits. After becoming his 
own master, he rented a farm on shares for a 
time, then came to this county, settling in 
Meredith on the ist of April, 1817. He took 
up one hundred acres of land in the midst of 
a deep forest, and soon the ringing strokes of 
his axe were heard as he levelled the huge 
trees to make a place for the log cabin which 
was to shelter himself and family. He sue- 




Horace Baker. 



BIOGRAPHICAL RKVIKAV 



riK.i 



ceeded in clearing a >^aoc\ farm, re|)lacing the- 
pioneer cabin with a set of frame l)iiildin^s, 
and remained there several years. He subse- 
quently sold that farm, and boiiy;hl another 
in the same town. He died at the aye of 
eighty-two years. He married Esther Gallup, 
a dau,i;hter of Mr. ami Mrs. Rzra Gallu|3, of 
Schoharie County. I'ive children were born 
of this marriage: Augusta, who married Oliver 
Butts, of Meredith: Abraham: KUhu; Maria, 
the wife of George Munson, of Mereditii: and 
Ezra, who was the first-born of the househokl. 
The mother, who survived her husband, livcil 
to be ninety years oUl. 

Ezra Osterhout spent the first thirty-six 
years of his life on the parental homestead, 
where he engaged in different branches of 
farming, and also operated a saw-mill for sev- 
eral years. He afterward became the owner 
of the adjoining farm, which he conducted 
successfully for about thirty years. Finally, 
disposing of that, Mr. Osterhout bought his 
present small but valuable farm of thirty-four 
acres, located in the village, and has since 
devoted his attention mostly to dairying, 
making a specialty of fine table butter. He 
also bought a saw-mill and a grist-mill in the 
village, which he ran for several years, carry- 
ing on an extensive business. 

Mr. Osterhout and Miss Juliet Jackson 
were married in 1839. Mrs. Osterhout is a 
daughter of William Jackson, who was for- 
merly numbered among the most prosperous 
farmers of Meredith, where the last years of 
his life were spent. He and his wife reared a 
family of twelve children, all of whom grew 
to maturitv and married. I'he union of Mr. 
Osterhout and his wife was brighteneti by the 
birth of one child, Jeannette. who married Ira 
George, a son of Charles George, a well- 
known farmer of Mereiiith and Davenport. 
.Mr. and Mrs. George own the farm formerly 
in the possession of .Mr. Osterhout: and in its 
management they are assisted by their only 
chiUl Louis E.' George. Politically, Mr. 
Osterhout is a >tanch suj^porter of the Demo- 
cratic ticket, and has always taken a lively 
interest in town and county matters. He has 
served as Assessor for a period of nearly 
thirty years, twenty-three consecutive years in 
Davenport, and six years in his present home 



liiwii. lie IS mil a niriiil)i-r nl anv reiigmiis 
organi/;itiim, but is .1 rrguhir :ittendant at 
Sunday worship at eitlur the H:iptist or the 
Methodist church. 




7i)T"KA( ]■: UAKl'k, lat.- of Sidney, 
Delaware County, \.^'., for many 
years a well-known f.uuier and jiro- 
prietor of a s.iw-mill in this town, 
was born at Cummin;;toii, Mass., Janii;irv 5. 
1S13, and was a son of David and Rebecca 
(Hill) Baker. His father and mother were of 
New J'jigland ancestry, and lived for a time 
after their marriage at Cummington, which 
is noted as the birthplace of William Cullen 
Bryant. They moved to .Sidney in 1817, and 
occupied for a short time the farm now owneil 
by George Beakes. .Mr. Baker afterward 
bought a farm in the vicinity. He w.is a 
hard-working man; and, as in those davs most 
of the land in this region was wild, he had to 
cut and clear away a good deal of timber, 
eventually having a large |)art of his fifty-five 
acres under cultivation. Mr. Baker was a 
member of the Congregational church, and 
Mrs. Baker of the Ba])tist. They reared the 
following family, namely: Milton, I'ersis, 
Harvey, .Armenia, Horace, and Mercy, all 
deceased; William, living at .Sidney Centre: 
Amelia, wife of Delos J. Bailey, of North 
Dakota: and Pollv, widow of Solomon John- 
son, living in Wisconsin. Both Mr. ami 
Mrs. David Baker died on the homestead, at a 
gootl old age. Horace Baker was ethicated ;it 
the district schools of Sidnev, tiie school- 
house being built of logs, .md the furniture of 
:i ver\ jjrimitive description. .At the age of 
twentv he commenced to learn the trade of a 
carpenter with Hubbard Niles. following this 
business during the best years of his life. 
Mr. Baker was engaged in farming, as well as 
conducting a saw-mill, and for fifty years was 
an extensive manufacturer of coffins. He 
owned the home farm on which he reside<l. 
and also other arable land, in all ;ibout one 
hundred and fifty acres. In the latter part of 
his life he dealt extensively in real estate, 
besides looking after his other business inter- 
ests. In 1870 Mr. B.iker had the misfortune 
to lose his left arm in his planing-mill. 



690 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



This cahuiiity did not, however, deter him 
from continuing to work with his accustomed 
energy. 

Mr. Baker was married October 6, 1841, to 
Martha Fowler, who was born in Meredith, 
January 21, 1814, a daughter of John and Bet- 
sey (Wliitney) Fowler. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler 
were natives of Connecticut, moving from 
there to Meredith when the country was 
young. He was a hard-working and success- 
ful farmer, and was the father of thirteen 
children, twelve of whom grew up to be men 
and women, and two of whom are living at the 
present ilay, namely : Sherman VV. Fowler, of 
Winnebago County, Wisconsin; and Harriet 
Andrews, of Walton, widow of John Andrews. 
Mr. and Mrs. Fowler were members of the 
Baptist church at Franklin. Mr. and Mrs. 
Horace Baker both lived to be past fourscore, 
and died within a few months of each other, 
less than a year ago, in 1894, she on May 11, 
and he on October i. They had two chil- 
dren, only one of whom was spared to 
brighten their home, and is now living; 
namely, Ophelia E. Her sister, Althea L., 
wife of Charles W. Niles, dieil September 15, 
1879, aged twenty-eight. 

,ln their later years Mr. and Mrs. Baker 
were members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. They were formerly members of the 
Congregational church, of which Mr. Baker 
was a Trustee and an ardent worker in the 
Sunday-school. In politics he was formerly 
a Republican, but latterly cast his vote with 
the Prohibition party. The iron bridge of 
the Ontario & Western Railroad, which is 
one hundred feet in height at tlie highest 
jjoint, and nearly a quarter of a mile in 
length, crosses a part of the Baker farm, he 
having given the right of way to the company. 
Mr. Baker was known for many years as one 
of the oldest and most representative settlers 
of Sidney. An energetic and progressive 
man, he was always ready and willing to de- 
vote his time and use his influence to forward 
the best interests of the village, where his 
name will long be held in honored remem- 
brance. The portrait of Mr. Baker presented 
on another page of this "Review" is consid- 
ered a very good likeness of the departed 
worthy. 



OHN D. SALTON, a substantial 
farmer of the town of Hamden, is the 
proprietor of a fine estate of two hun- 
dred and thirty acres lying in Terry 
Clove, where he has lived since the date of 
his birth, August 12, 1853. He is of Scotch 
extraction, a son of the late John Salton, Jr., 
who was born in Scotland in 18 12, and seven 
years later, with his brothers. and sisters, ac- 
companied his parents, John Salton, Sr., and 
Jane (Murray) -Salton, to America. On the 
voyage they had a very e.xciting and frightful 
experience, the vessel getting on fire in mid- 
ocean, and the passengers and crew having a 
very narrow escape from death. Soon after 
their arrival in New York they came to this 
neighborhood, and, being possessed of more 
means than the average emigrant, bought a 
tract of three hundred acres of land, the major 
part of which was in its primeval wildness, 
almost the only improvement of the place 
being the small log house into which they 
moved and spent their first years of occupancy 
of the farm. They improved a good home- 
stead, and made it their permanent abiding- 
place, the grandfather dying in 1838, at the 
age of fifty-eight years, and his widow dying 
in 1858. They were of the Presbyterian 
faith. Of the children born to them onlv one 
is now living, namely: Jane, the wife of Rob- 
ert Elliott, of Belle Plaine, N.Y. 

John Salton, Jr., lived with his parents 
until his marriage, and became familiar in the 
days of his youth with the life and labors of 
the pioneer. His wife, Elspeth Davidson, 
whom he wedded in 1849, was born in 
the town of Andes, of Scotch parents. In the 
month of April, 1850, they settled on the 
farm now occupied by their son, the subject of 
this sketch. Its two hundred and thirty acres 
were partly cleared, and some improvements 
had been made. Mr. Salter labored assidu- 
ously to place it all under cultivation, re- 
paired and remodelled the l)uildings, and in 
1870 erected the substantial residence now 
standing here. One of the most noticeable of 
his betterments was the grubbing out of the 
thicket of elders, which occupied a large part 
of the yard, and the setting in their place of 
the beautiful hard maples which now orna- 
ment and shade the grassy lawn. Mrs. Salton, 



BIOGRAPHICAL RF:VIP:\V 



691 



an active and intelligent woman, quite ail- 
vanced in years, still lives on the home farm. 
She is a faithful and exemplary member of 
the L'nited Presbyterian cluneh, to whieli her 
husband also belon-^^ed. Of tiie six ehildren 
born to her one son died in infancy, his twin 
sister surviving; him. Imvc are ikjw living;, 
namely: Ellen, wife of Duncan MclJou-all; 
John D. ; Joanna, the wife of ]■'.. A. Tabor, a 
merchant, in l)aven|)ort; James \\'., a farmer 
near Walton; Agnes, a teacher by profession, 
residing with her mother. 

The boyhood and youth of John D. Salton 
were i)assed on the home farm, and in attenii- 
ing the district school. After the death of 
his honored sire he assumed the entire man- 
agement of the home propert\', carrying it on 
with great success. He was the inheritor of 
an unlimited stock of energy, pci'severance, 
and thrift, and occupies a leading position 
among the progressive ami prosperous agri- 
culturists of this section of the count}', taking 
delight in adding to the improvements of his 
property. In 1SS8 Mr. Salton built a com- 
motlious barn, sixtv feel bv fortv-si.x feet, 
with twenty-two-fect posts al)ove a basement 
nine feet in heiglit. The driveway to this 
building is fourteen feet abow the tirst floor, 
and the bay for the hay has a capacity of 
eighty tons. 

'On the 8th of June. 1X87. Mr. John U. 
Salton ami Miss ^laggie J. Hlair \vere united 
in marriage. Mrs. .Salton is a native ot 
Haniden, and is the daughter of William and 
Rebecca I'll izabcth ( Holmes ) Hlaii'. In poli- 
tics Mr. .Salton is a stanch adherent of the 
Repui)lican party, and supports its principles 
bv voice and vote. 



r)RGI': R. Sl.iri-,R. the Postmas- 
ter, and one of the leading mer- 
chants of Ilalcottsvillc. was born in 
Margarettville. Delaware County. November 
20, 1847. His parent.-^ were Nicholas and 
Susan (Tremper) SI iter. His father was born 
in Delaware County, and was etlucateil in the 
ilistrict school at Margarettville. When a 
vi'ung man, Nicholas Sliter worked on his 
father's farm, and afterward learned the slioe- 
making trade, at which he worked the greater 



p.irt of his lile. In pidities he was a Repub- 
lic. m, .uid in religion a .Methodist. He mar- 
ried .Susan, daugiiler ^if Henjainin and .Sally 
(\'eaples) Tremper, M\<\ died at the age of 
si\t\-three, leaving a widow an<l seven chil- 
dren, thus brielly named: John married 
Dolly Kettle, liv'S at .M;irgareltville, :ind has 
live children, (ieorge R. is the subject f)l 
this sketch. I'dward is .1 farmer, and lives in 
.Aren.i. Sar;di died ;it twelve \ears of a^i-. 
.Sherman married Miss He;irdsley, anil lives at 
Andes. Ida. wife of .\I. Wood, lives at 
Downsvillc. Alfred married J:ine Kettle, 
lives in Arena, and has two cluidren. Mrs. 
Sliter is still liviuL;, is sixt\-seven years old, 
and enjoNs fair health for a woman of her age. 
-She makes her home in .\rena, ami is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Kijiscopal church. 

(Ieorge R., the seconil son. received iiis 
education in Creene Count)-, and after leav- 
ing schoid, at about the age of twenty-one, 
worked at farming foi" some time. He after- 
ward worked two \ears at shoemaking in 
Arena, an<l then c:uiie to llalcottsville, where 
he has since continued to reside. He married 
Bema Henderson, a daughter of J;nnes and 
Hannah (Sprague) Henderson. .Mr. Hender- 
son was born in Jedburgh, .Scotland, Decem- 
ber 25, 1805. and at an early age came to 
Aiueric:i. In January. 1894, Mr. Sliter 
o|)ened a general grange store at llalcotts- 
ville. He is constantly increasing his stock, 
and the enterpiise is proving to be a decided 
success. The shoe business, also, continues 
to occup)' some of his attention. He recently 
bought a house here, wiiich he h.is remod- 
elled, an<l upon the lot adjoining he h;is built 
a barn :ind other buildings. 

In ]iolitics Mr. Sliter is ,1 Democnit. .uul 
works hard for the success ol his party. His 
aiipointment as I'ostm.ister he received in 
March. 1S94. He holds bro.id views on mat- 
ters of religion, and is not a member of any 
churcli. .Straightforward and dilij.nt in bu-i- 
ness, he has won well-deser\ -s. 



VEL : 



l'.OR(,i: r. H.VSSi:rr, .M.D.. a prom- 
inent citi/.en and su. ■ --fil ;.!i\ ~: : .:i 
of Downsville, to\' 
was born in that town, Deceinocr 3, i ■- j7, 1 



692 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



son of Philip and Margaret (Hitt) Bassett. 
The father was born September 7, 1803, near 
Catskill, where he grew to manhood on the 
ancestral farm, attending the district schools. 
When very young, he began to study medicine 
with Dr. Wells, of Middleburg, Schoharie 
County, at the same time teaching school. 
He then located his oftice in Colchester, and 
there married February 5. iSSSi Margaret, 
daughter of Jerrid and Betsey (Barker) Hitt. 
She was born January 7, 1803, and died No- 
vember 9, 1849, having given birth to two 
children: namely, George P. and Frances, the 
latter of whom was born October 25, 1842, 
and is the wife of W. E. Holmes, a resident 
of Downsville. Philip Bassett's second wife 
was Maria Barber, whom he married Decem- 
ber 24, 1 85 I. 

He was the only physician in the town of 
Colchester, and had an extensive practice, 
visiting his patients on horseback, and carry- 
ing his medicine in saddle-bags. He was one 
of the men to attend the first course of medi- 
cal lectures at the Albany Medical College in 
Albany, whither he went on horseback, al- 
most the only mode of travelling in those 
days. Philip Bassett was a kind-hearted, 
generous, benevolent man, of extraordinary 
nerve power, with special aptitude for his pro- 
fession, in which he was eminently success- 
ful. He was a Republican; and both he and 
his wife were members of the Presbyterian 
church, in which faith he died, July 27, 1866. 
George P. Ikssett was educated at the 
Delaware Literary Institute at F'ranklin, after 
which he entered the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons in New York City, from which 
he was graduated in 1862, and began the 
practice of medicine in Downsville. In Sep- 
tember, 1 86 1, he married Anna, daughter of 
Abel and Clarissa (P'lowers) Palmer. Mr. 
Palmer was born in the town of Delhi, and 
late in life went to Oregon, where he died. 
His wife has also passed away Mrs. Bassett 
died .September 12, 1874, aged thirty-five 
years and eight months, having had one child, 
Jennie, who is the wife of Edward C. Smith, 
a merchant of Downsville, a nephew of David 
Anderson. Dr. Bassett has recently married 
a second time, his wife being Mrs. Elizabeth 
(Parker) Beers, daughter of Professor James 



O. Parker, a noted musician of Deposit. Her 
first husband was Nelson Beers, by whom she 
had one son, Fred P. Beers, who is now a 
leading hardware merchant in Downsville. 

Dr. Bassett has continued to practise in 
Colchester, where he has a private office, and 
is considered one of the most skilful and ad- 
vanced physicians of the county. In 1864 he 
enlisted in the service of his country in the 
Tenth New York Regiment, as Assistant Sur- 
geon, with rank of F^irst Lieutenant. In 
politics he is a Republican. For two years he 
has been Town Clerk, has held the office of 
Supervisor for three years, and during the last 
five years has been Pension Examiner. He is 
a member of the Fleming Post, Grand Army 
of the Republic, No. 280, and is a Mason, a 
member of Downsville Lodge, No. 464, A. F. 
& A. M. Dr. Bassett is a member of the 
Presbyterian church, which organization has 
his hearty support. He is an energetic, pro- 
gressive man, thoroughly competent in his 
vocation, and deserved I3' esteemed in both 
private and public life. 



^^HARLES H. VERMILYA, of 
I ^ZJ Fleischmanns, in Middletown, Dela- 
V^lis ware County, has long held the 
^*''~~"^ important and trusted position of 
•Station agent, besides trading on his own 
account. He was born in Shandaken, LHster 
County, in 1851, on a day of the year which 
has always been a holiday with at least one 
nationality, March 17. 

He is a great-grandson of William \'er- 
milya, who came from Holland, and bought 
and improved a farm in Putnam County, liv- 
ing prosperously there with his family till his 
death of old age. William was the eldest 
son, named for his father. The others who 
lived to adult age were Jessie, John, and 
Samuel; and it is in the line of the youngest 
that the special subject of this sketch has de- 
scended. Samuel Vermilya was born in Put- 
nam County, but came to Delaware County 
when a young man, learning the art of shoe- 
making. On account of ill health he was 
unable to continue in this business, and so 
turned miller, buying an establishment on the 
Plattekill River, which is now known as the 



TilOr.R M'HK M I.' |\-ri.\\ 



r,i,T, 



Morse mill. riK-n- he remainei! the must of 
his life. His wife, C^'atherine Roliinson, \va.s 
the daughter of Issachar Rohiiisoii, who was a 
soldier in the Revolution, aiu! married into 
the Gregory family. In religion .Samuel \'er- 
milya was a Baptist, and in jjoiitics a Demo- 
crat: and he died at the age of tiftv-eight, his 
wife living to be seventy-two. ihev reared 
six children. Edward Vermilya, the eldest. 
married Jane Whipple. Of the next son, 
Orville, more hereafter. William X'ermilva 
married -Sarah Kelly, and more of the Kelly 
family may be found under the proper head- 
ing. Melissa N'ermilya married Nelson 
Beardslee. Edgar N'ermilva married Melissa 
Todil. The youngest. Olive X'crniiKa, had 
two husbands, John 1). Elnmre and Rexford 
Hewitt. 

Orville \'ermilya was born in .Middletown, 
and began adult life as a clerk in the corner 
store in Clovesville. His wife was Margaret 
Stone. In due time they left Clovesville, 
and he found employment as foreman in a 
tannery in the town of .Shandaken, Ulster 
County. Thence thev removed to ("iriffin's 
Corners, where he was in the store of William 
Doolittle (of whose family some account may 
be found under that name in this volume), 
and also with A. H. Hurhans. Later he kept 
a large boarding-house in (iriffin's Corners for 
summer visitors from the city. Both he and 
his wife lived to a good old age. They had 
five children. Of these the eldest, Mary \'er- 
milya, married W. H. Oconnor. The second. 
Charles H., is the special subject of this 
sketch. Willard X'ermilya married Alice 
\'an Iluten. Judson makes his home in 
Griffin's Corners. George died at the early 
age of seven. 

Charles Henry X'ermilya attended the dis- 
trict school, and then worked for three years 
in a store near home. Next he went to 
Brooklyn, where he worked for a short time 
in another store, till he received an ajjpoint- 
ment as station agent on the Ulster & Dela- 
ware Railroad, in the centennial \ear. when 
he was twenty-five years oltl. Coming to 
I-'L'ischmanns, Iv bought the house now 
owned by Daniel Slover. In iSSj he bought 
a lot from the X'andermark farm, and built 
thereon a house, which he afterward sold to 



:\. Kaufm.imi. iisij., i.f N'lW N'ork <'it\-, lor a 
sumnu-i home, in iS.j; Mi. , built 

his pn-si-nl fine residi/inr. >■: :ig tht- 

best view to bi- anywJKii- found in this neigh- 
borhood. In iSSS. at the .igf .i| i! n, 
he had married I.ettii- |)i"dillli-. .,t 
George W. and .Sally Jane (Dod-i-j j hiuliitk-, 
ot wliom a sketch may lie found in tiiis vol- 
uuK-. .About the time of his marriage Mr. 
X'ermilya resigned his place on the railroad, 
and went to New X'ork City, where lor two 
and a half years he was a grocer; but then 
on account of his wife's health he found it 
expedient to return to l-'leischmanns, where 
he resumed his old ]iosition as station agent. 
In addition to his official duties, he is a Init- 
ter commission merchant, handling nearly all 
of that indispensable commodity churned in 
this region, and also the flagging from the 
blue stone quarries. In company with |ohn 
Blish, he deals .also in coal. .As a l)emocrat 
Mr. X'ermilya has held the office of Tax Col- 
lector for the town three years, and in religion 
he is a Methodist. In large measure Mr. 
X'ermilya possesses that good roundabout 
t|uality whereof a Spanish statesman, I'irnvi:; 
Caballero, has well said, 

"If common sense has not tlie brilliaiie\ "i 
the sun. it has the fixity of the stars." 



EORGI-: W. HLBB1:LL, a well- 
known an<i jirosperous citizen of 
llalcottsville. was born in Midille- 
town, March 14, 1S50. and is the son I'f Har- 
ve\- and Emeline (Hewitt) Ilubbell. His 
grandfather Hubbell. who married I'olly 
Faulkner, was a native of Connecticut, and 
became one of the pioneer settlers of Dela- 
ware Countv. being distinguisheil for his 
sturdy enterjirise and progressive spirit. 

His son, Harve\' Hubbell. was burn at 
Keliv's Corner>, Delaware County, received 
.1 fair education in the district school, and at 
an earlv age began working on a farm. Sev- 
eral years later he bought a farm of two hun- 
ilred acres, on which he lived the greater jiart 
of his life. He was at one time 
the grocerv liusiness at Kelly's ( 
he also acted for a short period as a clerk in a 
hotel at the same place. In politics he was a 




694 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



Democrat, a man of sound jiidgment and good 
standing, holding office at various times. He 
was an active member of the Baptist church. 
He died at the age of fifty-six, ending his 
days on the old farm, his wife living to be 
fifty-nine. Four children survived him, 
namely: George W., the subject of this 
sketch; Adelaide, the wife of Clarence 
White, of Roxbury, mother of one child; 
Norwood, who married Millie Van Aukin, of 
Kingston, and has one child; Peace, who be- 
came Mrs. George Roberts, of Catawba Hill. 

George W. Hubbell acquired a practical 
education in the district school; and at the 
age of eighteen he began to learn the carpen- 
ter's trade, at which he worked for four years, 
when he became a butcher. He remained at 
the latter occupation for five years, and then 
went into mercantile business, in which he 
continued for many years. Previous to 1894 
there had never been a public house in Hal- 
cottsville; and Mr. Hubbell, perceiving with 
his usual sagacity a good opportunity in this 
direction, opened a hotel on the main street, 
and is doing a thriving business. It is built 
in the cottage style, and presents a very at- 
tractive and homelike appearance. Besides 
the hotel Mr. Hubbell owns one hundred acres 
of land, and is also engaged extensively in the 
business of building and selling houses in the 
village, thus greatly improving the place. 
Halcottsville owes no small share of its pros- 
perity to his enterprising spirit and successful 
business ventures. 

Mr. Hubbell has been married Ivvicc. His 
first wife was Ella Roberts, who died at the 
age of thirty-one; and his second wife is her 
sister, Inez R. Roberts. Mr. and Mrs. Hub- 
bell have two children : Ira R., born Decem- 
ber 30, 1883: and Loren H., born December 
10, 1890, to whose training they devote much 
careful attention. Mrs. Hubbell is the 
daughter of J. F. and Hulda (Wells) Roberts, 
her father being a successful farmer of Bragg 
Hollow, Delaware County, one of the early 
settlers of that district, and a. man of high 
standing in the community. Mr. Roberts 
was born in Putnam County, December 27, 
1808, his parents being Ira and Phcebe 
(Baker) Roberts. His father, who was also a 
native of that county, settled on a farm of one 



hundred acres in Bragg Hollo>v in 1815, but 
died six months afterward, leaving eight chil- 
dren. His widow survived him many years, 
dying at the age of eighty. J. V. Roberts, 
father of Mrs. Hubbell, lived on the old farm 
at Bragg Hollow for eighteen years, at the 
end of which time he bought a farm of fifty 
acres on Hubble Hill, where he still resides. 
He keeps thirty cows, and carries on a suc- 
cessful dairy business. Mr. Roberts is a 
Democrat, and a member of the Baptist 
church, and, although of advanced age, is still 
quite an active man. His wife, who died at 
the age of eighty-two, was Hulda J. Wells, 
daughter of Daniel Wells, who was one of the 
early settlers of Delaware County, and who 
later in life went West, ending his days there. 
In politics Mr. Hubbell gives his support 
to the Democratic party, and he holds liberal 
views on religious matters. He is not only a 
successful business man, but is also a devoted 
husband and father, a kind friend, and a man 
of sterling character. 




ILLIAM B. OGDEN. The follow- 
ing brief delineation of this dis- 
tinguished son of Delaware County 
is here reproduced from the eloquent tribute of 
his friend, the Hon. Isaac N. Arnold: — 

"The most jMominent figure in the history- 
of Chicago from 1835 until his death, in 1877, 
was William B. Ogden. His active mind 
originated most and aided largely in the erec- 
tion of nearly all our public improvements. 
He laid out and opened many miles of streets 
in the northern and u'estern divisions of the 
city, aided in digging the Illinois and Michi- 
gan Canal, advocated with ability laws neces- 
sary for its construction and enlargement, pro- 
jected and built hundreds, nay, thousands of 
miles of railways. He had much to do with 
our water supjily and sewerage and park sys- 
tems, and, indeed, nearly all our great enter- 
prises and jjublic improvements. 

" He was born June 15, 1805, at Walton, a 
town in the wild and mountainous county of 
Delaware, New York, and died August 3, 
1877, at his country seat, Boscobel, near High 
Bridge on the Harlem. He was yet a lad 
when his father died; and, being the eldest 



RIOGRArmc.M, RKVIKW 



■^''il. In \\,1> IMIIX 1>I.HC.II III ,1 piisltliill III ll.-- 

spDUsihility as the ju'iul nf a laij;c laiiiil\, ami 
soon (lc\oli>|n.'(l llioso c|ualitics ol cxccutixc 
aljility, sai;acily, and cduram-. -uikI si'iisc, 
t'lieiyy, and ilctcrniinalion wliicli made him 
always a iocnj;nizcd K'adcr anioiii; nun, and 
caused his inriiKMUx- to he powcrt'iil 1\ lY-ll in 
this city and State and thmii-h the Xdrth- 
west. 

"I lis hiiyhiHid was passed in the pietnies(|ue 
valley and hills o\ Delaware ('unntv, which 
was then cuvered with a tlcnse and niai^'nilici'nl 
lorest (if su^ar-ni iple, beech, hiich. and elm 
trees; while on the sides nl the iiKiunlains 
were jiine. lir. and henilnek. And \asl rafts 
of logs and lundier were with the spiini; 
rtooils sent down the Delaware to i'hihulel- 
phia. '{"he raftsmen had vu^\^^. and simielinies 
danyerons, experiences in running- the dams of 
the sw(dlen river; and .Mr. ( >j;"den had nianv a 
talc of exciting; aiKcnture nccnrriiin' in these 
rough davs. Hut it was hunting the deer 
among the hills of the Delaware, and on the 
I'nadilhi and other tributaries of the Sus- 
cpichanna. which furnished the most cxiiting 
stories of the clays of his x'outh. Clubs of 
hinitcrs then existed in the counties of ( )tsego. 
Chenango, and Delaware. Packs of hovuuls 
were kept ; an<l the hunteis who g.itiu'red at 
the annual autumn hunts, coming often fort\' 
to sixtv miles, wcie as well moimted. with 
hoi'ses of as good Idood and etpia! endui'ance, 
as the best luiglish stocks. Judges. law\ers, 
and gent leni:in f.iiancrs joineti in the exciting 
sport; and among them all was no keener 
sportsm.an, no mon- feaile--s rider, than Mi'. 
( )g(lcn. ' ' 

The death of Mr. ( Igden was a loss t<i the 
world at large. lie is e\er renienibered for 
his genial disposition, his generous inrpulscs. 
and large bene\'olence. lie was interested in 
fostering e\er\'thing that would ]iromote the 
general progress and pi'osperity, and at all 
times exhibited an unwa\ering rectitude. 



OIIX I". ODW'l.I.l., a native of lilas- 
gow. .Scotland, was bori; on ( )ctobei' 
2-, iX.i". His parents, John and 
I-'dizabeth ((lilhllan) ( )dwcll. embarked 
for America when he was an infant of scarcelv 



tuehe muntli^, .iinl |i.' 
out of sight of l.nid. 
C'it)-. the father en-.igeil m • 
he colli imied to pm sue mil il 
removed with his famiU lo \ i 
making the jnurn' 
and iheiice bv ili 
Campbell .Moiml.ain, I i 
stopped, and leased ,i ti.iel 
lifl\ ;icri.'s of land. .\ 
le.i>e was gi\ ell Up, and ! I 
\ ilie. In 1 )eccmb(.a ..f ll 
sail I loiu Xew \'n\ 
where the\' spent alHHC ■ - i 

returned to Xew \'o; i tin- !■ 

spring thev setlleil in D^iu iis\ i He. 
<)dwtdl some time afterw.iid ~1iin.' i..i 
loriiia. but w.is shipwreeked ni 
of .Acapulco. lie w- 
light's " crew ; but 1 
privation had so inipaiied Ins 
he succumbed to tlie i''i" •- ' 
him, and, d\ing on 
buried at sea on M;i\ 
servici" ;is a soldier in 
lie belonged to ■ 
Whig, and boi!i ' 
to their bch 
Miillilhm) I ' 
claimed en":; 
gcneiat il i 
Their- 
sclv'iil in ' 
Tnited >' 
];n !n-!i' 



it\-. In \ 

the I 

his oil 

Here he had liegun ' 

practice when ' 

which was t: 

faithfullv perf eil id.-. • 

as a good soldier. 

On |ul\ ici, iSTq, he was 
Sar.ah f. Terv "■_ 
Mar\- I .\ndcr- 
grandlather d'ei w 
kevolutioii.irv \\ . . 
Inirnin^ of Kingston. Her 



I ■Ml II 

( ' : 



696 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



father, Ezekiel Amlerson, also held the rank 
of Captain in the war. l?oth Mr. and Mrs. 
Isaac Terwilliger lived and died at Callicoon. 
Si.\ children have been born to Mr. and 
Mns. John T. Odwell, namely: h:iizabeth and 
Thomas, deceased; John (i. ; I'rederic M. ; 
(ieorge B. ; and Catherine. Mr. Odwell con- 
tinued to practise law after the war until his 
health failed. He was a Republican until the 
time of the Hancock campaign, when he be- 
came a Democrat. lie and his wife are both 
members of the Presbyterian church. 



rOHN HAHCOCK, senior member of the 
firm of Babcock, Lary & Co., railway 
and dredging contractors, with an office 
at No. I I Pine Street, New York City, 
is a man of more than ordinary mechanical 
ability and business tact. He was born in 
Orange County, December 27, 1S38. His 
grandfather, Isaac Babcock, a life-long resi- 
dent of Orange County, married a Miss Ben- 
jamin; and they both lived to be eighty years 
of age, having reared a family of fourteen chil- 
dren, ten sons and four daughters, all of 
whom grew to maturity and married. 

John Babcock, Sr. , one of the sons of Isaac, 
was married in 1834 to Catherine Secor, who 
bore him nine sons and three daughters; and 
of these seven sons and two daughters grew to 
adult life, and all but two of the .sons married. 
Five sons and one daughter are now living, 
namelv: John, the subject of this sketch; 
.Samuel, also of Walton ; Josiah and George, 
railroad men, living at Port Jer\is; Isaac, 
a resident of Cornwall; and Eliza, the widow 
of David Bowcn. The father died in 1880, 
at the age of fifty-eight years, from the kick of 
an o.\. The mother survived her husband 
thirteen years, dying in 1893, in the seventy- 
second year of her age. Their graves are in 
the beautiful cemetery near Greenwood Lake 
in Orange County. 

John Babcock, who received the name of 
his honored father, obtained a good common- 
.school education, and, not being content to 
spend his life as a tiller of the soil, left the 
shelter of the parental roof when seventeen 
years old to begin his career as a railroad man. 
He was first- employed as one of the track 



force, but was advanced step by step until 
appointed foreman. He sub.sequently became 
Division Roadmaster on the New York, On- 
tario & Western Railway, and ' was finally 
made General Roadmaster, having full charge 
of all the lines and branches of this railway. 
In 1888 he resigned this position to engage in 
his ])resent lucrative business, becoming one 
of the firm of Ward & Lary, railway contrac- 
tors. While in this firm, one of his great 
achievements was the putting through of the 
zigzag tunnel of two thousand seven hundred 
feet, eight miles north of Walton, the ap- 
proaches of which are one-half mile long and 
one hundred feet high, the building of these 
latter being considered a greater mechanical 
feat than that of constructing the tunnel, which 
is one of the four tunnels from Cornwall 
through the spurs of the Cat.skill Mountains. 
The ne.xt important work of Mr. Babcock was 
the building of the water tunnel, three thou- 
sand three hundred feet long, at Winsted, Conn. 
As Mr. Babcock has never made a special 
study of civil engineering, it is evident that 
he has great native abilit}', possessing an 
active and fertile brain, which he keeps in 
constant use. Mr. Babcock was a volunteer in 
the late Civil War, going to the front as First 
Lieutenant in Company C, One Hundred and 
Seventy-si.xth New York X'olunteer Infantry, 
and taking part in many engagements. He 
was made prisoner in June, 1863, and remained 
in durance thirteen months at Camp I-'ord, 
Te.xas, but on his rations of corn-bread and 
beef stood the imprisonment quite well, com- 
ing out strong. He was finally exchanged, 
and afterward promoted to the rank of Captain, 
but, being taken sick, was sent home and 
subsequently discharged. 

On October 8, 1861, Mr. Babcock was 
united in marriage to Christina Miller, the 
daughter of John and Agnes (Anderson) Mil- 
ler, both natives of Scotland, Mrs. Babcock 
was born in Utica, N.Y. , but was reared to 
womanhood in Canada; and in that dominion, 
in the city of Quebec, while .she was on a 
pleasure trip, her death occurred, July 17, 
1892. Three children w-ere born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Babcock, one of whom, F'rank, an en- 
gineer on the West Shore Railway, died at the 
age of twenty-eight years. The other two 



i:i(|(;k Ai'iiir \i, ki:\ ii-.w 



"n 




i-'hilclrcn ,1,. ., - .,., i ,,,i, ,. -, ixw mm^ m W.il 
ton, and a ilaii.^litcr, I'ina, tin- witt- n| C. |;. 
\'<)shin<;h, an architect in New \\>vV City. 
Since the death of her niotliei- Mrs. \'(isl)iir<^h 
presides over the hamlsunie house 'A her I'athiT, 
which he erected in iSSj. In pnliiics Mr. 
Babciick is a supjiorter nt the Republican 
party; and, sociall\-, he is an influential mem- 
ber (it the Masonic Iraternitx', bein^ a Rosa! 
Arch Masim. 



IIIIRM.W STRi;i:r, MD., a widely 
known and much esteemed phxsician 
ot MidiUetown. residinij at Ark- 
ville, settled in this \icinit\' a num- 
ber of years ai^o, and has since then attained 
a leaclinj;' place aniont;' the professional men of 
the count}-. II is birthplace was Putnam, 
(.'onn. ; and he is the son of John and 
Rebecca Street. Ills paternal ^grandfather, 
John Street, was an i-^nglishman, who came to 
America, where he married, afterward return- 
ing to iuigiand. Later he came back to this 
country, and spent his last da\s here. His 
son, John Street, ]v.. came to Delaware County 
from Putnam, C'onn.. and engaged in farTiiing 
for three \ears. Then, returning to his old 
home, he became engaged as a contractor, and 
resided there until his death, at the age of 
fortv-five. llis widow was left with five chil- 
dren to supjiort, and later became the wife of 
William I-'risbee. .She li\ed to the age of 
eightv-six years. Their children were; .\nn, 
who became the wife of Isaac Robinson, and 
died, le:iving four children; I'hilip. who mar- 
ried Jane l-'isher, ;uid at his death left six chil- 
dren ; |ohn. who m;)iried Diantha June, and 
went to Iowa — had one chilil; Jane, who died 
when tpiite \-onng ; and Sherman, the subject 
of this sketch. 

.After ])ursuitig his studies in a college in 
Western .Massachusetts, .Sherman .Street at- 
tended medical lectures at Castleton, \"t., ;md 
began practice in Roxburv, X. \'. , when but 
twent\-one vears old. l.:iter he removed to 
Middletown, ;ind now resides at Ark\ille, 
where he has :i farm of one hundred and 
thirtv-three acres, situated on the Delaware 
River. The farm buildings, erected b\- him- 
self, were destroved bv fire; but he rebuilt 



I neni, ,iM(| i > \\i .w i ni pi i^^rs-. h . ,i 

ert\'. Di. .Sirci'l h.is been Iw; 

llis tirst will', .Ann l''allo(k, dan^hiii oi \\ i i i 

iam l-';illock, ;i pi-ugn-ssiv, i,: .1 I' , ', r. 

died wlun onlv thirl' 

two children : I .ni.mil.i, ;i' ■ ■ 

Mal\in;i, who m;iiiieil I )i I'. 

resides ;it Livingston i.ake. l»i. 

ried for his second wife Jiii; 1 \ 1'. 

ter of {■'rederick Hakeiv I 

lived on the old liakci' li' ni', ii .,'1. ' 

Dr. ;nid .Mrs. .Street now reside. '11: 

one son. John, \\\\i< m.irrird I'.m 

.SomervilL', dreene (omUs. ^ 

two children. John .Street i'- 

a bridge-builder. :nid has built si \ti,,i lnii!^. 

on the L. & D. Railro:id. Dr. ^rr-.t hi 

been very successful in his pmlc-s-., 

a large practice, not onh in hi- 

neighborhood, l)Ut extending lar 

limits of his :idopted town. 

with the latest medic:il <li- 

.\ Republican in politics, ju- 
leader ol the people by re;isiin ■ 
natural talents, and has rendered u 
to his part\'. .\ man ol wide i: 
conspicuous ability, he is well won 
conlidonce, and is esteemed bv all 
he comes into personal co-it ' 




11. Sl.o.XN. 
honored citizen o| the 



.•;i \ Walton, where he ' 

])ast twentv-eight yi 
Conntv Down, in the northern 
j-'ebruarv J.S, 1 ■''!:! i. When .1 i . 
than three years, he was bron. 
countrs' b\' his good parents. 1 hon. 
(Hailey) Sloan. 

Thomas ."^loan and his f;imily wei 
weeks and three days in m;iking th. 
fr.ini Ireland to Xew ^■ork (.'ity. wh 
landed July J5, i^jn, with their l^^ 
Robert and his elder sister. t »n : 
their disembarkation anothei -on w 
their famih. Mr. Sloan wa- 
trade. 1 le soon came to I 1 
and settled on a farm ■ 
of Hovina. I lis ser\ i 
in excellent demand as soon as h: 



698 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



for thorough and skilled workmanship became 
fully established. He also paid good attention 
to farming, and before his decease had added 
considerably to his acreage. He died while 
yet on the sunny side of the hill of life, pass- 
ing away on September 22, 1S44, aged forty- 
seven years. His widow sm-vived him until 
1865, being si.xty-.seven years old at the time 
of her death. They became the jjarents of 
eight children, all of whom grew to maturity, 
and were married, and of whom three sons 
and one daughter are now living, as follows: 
Thomas, who resides in Bloomington, Wis. ; 
Alexander B. , who is a farmer, and lives near 
Belle Plaine, la. ; Nancy, who is the wife of 
William Miller, and lives in Walton; and 
Robert H., also of Walton. 

Robert H. Sloan has spent the major part 
of his useful life in Delaware County, and has 
but a dim recollection of any other home, 
although he distinctly remembers going to 
the cooper-shop of his grandfather, Alexander 
l^ailey, in Ireland, to get a hoop to roll. His 
educational advantages were very limited, as 
at the age of ten years he was set to stitch- 
ing leather. Having learned the shoemaker's 
trade, he worked at it with such steady aj^plica- 
tion that in 1856 his health began to fail, and 
he was compelled to seek some other employ- 
ment. In connection with agriculture, in 
which he engaged, he has carried on an exten- 
sive and profitable business as a dealer in 
cattle and in butter, the latter of which he 
shipped to the New York markets. 

On July 4, 1848, Mr. Sloan married Nanc)' 
Smith, of Delhi, daughter of Robert and 
Christine Smith, both of whom were natives 
of Scotland. Sorrow as well as joy has from 
time to time crossed the threshold of his 
home. Two of their five children — namely, 
Catherine, a child of seven years, and Thomas 
Albert, an infant of ten months — died in 
the month of May, 1868, the former on the 
4th, and the latter on the 24th, of scarlet 
fever. And Jennie, a daughter, who married 
Jacob H. Osterhoudt, died at the home of her 
parents of diphtheria, August 2,- 1882, being 
then but twenty-two years of age. In less 
than three years the devoted wife and mother 
was also called, dying February 15, 1885, at 
the age of fifty-seven years, having jjorne with 



heroic fortitude and patience the intense suffer- 
ing caused by a cancer. She was an earnest 
Christian, possessing the serenest trust in 
divine Providence, and was a member of the 
United Presbyterian church. Two daughters 
are left to Mr. Sloan, his first and last born, 
of whom Christina, the wife of A. F. McFad- 
den, lives with her father. She has three 
children, one son and two daughters. l-)lla 
Catherine, the youngest child, is the wife of 
Charles K. Wakeman, of Walton. 

In politics Mr. Sloan was formerly a Repub- 
lican, voting with that party until 1872, since 
which time he has been indei^endent. He has 
never sought the emoluments of public office, 
although he served as Justice of the Peace 
four years, in the town of Bovina, and under 
the administration of Abraham Lincoln filled 
the office of Postmaster. Clear-headed, high- 
principled, and endowed with an excellent 
memory, he is a man of exceedingly temperate 
habits, having never used liquor nor tobacco in 
anv form. 




ARRY WARNER and his wife, hjiiily 
(Kelsey) Warner, occupy the Kelsey 
homestead of over one hundred acres 
in the valley of the Delaware. Mr. 
Warner was born in Windsor, Broome County, 
on Washington's Birthdav, February 22, 1826. 
His father, Moses Warner, came from Massa- 
chusetts, and, purchasing a tract of land near 
Windsor, was here extensively engaged as a 
lumber dealer. lie was twice married. His 
first wife died in Windsor; and he married for 
his second wife Miss Hannah Smith, a native 
of Albany County. Seven children were born 
of this marriage — Diana, Rachel, Chloc, 
Flias, Harry, John, and Jane. The father 
died at about eighty years of age. The mother 
died in Tompkins, when upward of seventy. 

The marriage of Mr. Harry Warner and Miss 
Kmily Kelsey took ])lace in 1848. Mrs. Emily 
Kelsey Warner was born in the town of Tom])- 
kins, Delaware County, on January 17, 1824. 
Her father, Roswell Kelsey, was born, so far 
as is known, in the same village. Her grand- 
father, James Kelsey, who was a native of 
Connecticut, came thence to the State of New 
York, and was an old settler in the valley of 



RIOGRAI'HICAL RKVIP:\V 



r,,,, 



Ihc Dclawaiv. lie ln.iii;ln a lart;c tra. ; ■, 
ti inhered laiul in Tunipkins, iliaivil a larm. 
ami (.'ivctod IraiiK' hiiiUlinns. His wik- was 
Avis Iloa^^. On this farm Mr. Kfisev livcil 
and died. lie was iwico married, and three n| 
his ehiUh'en now snrvixe. 

Knswell Kelsey, Mis. Warner's lather, was 
for a luimlKr of years a Uimher dealer. Hoatiiit; 
his loi;s down the Delaware River on rafts to 
their jilaees of destination. In i .S44 he l)ou.:;hl 
a farm on the west side of the Delaware River 
in Deposit, and lived there<in until his death, 
when about seventy vears old. His wife's 
maiden name was Hannah .Smith. .She was 
born in Cannonsviile. and was the dau-hter of 
Caleb and lluldah (Cottrell) Smith. Mr. and 
.^Frs. Roswell Kelsey raised a family of ei,::;ht 
children— I.ydia. llmilv, .Step.hen, I'.lias, 
Caleb, .\lbert, l-".llen, and Harper. 

Mr. and Mrs. Warner ha\e two .sons 
.Samuel and Hiram. The former married I'.lla 
Kin,i;sbiir_\'. and has one son — Roswell. 
Hiram married .\nn I'.li/a .Smith, and has 
three children - llarrv, Hiram, and Roselle. 
About the time of his marriage Mr. Warner 
bouj;ht a farm at I'ompkins, which he sold f\\c 
vears later, when he moved to I'nadilla, 
( )tsi'L;d Count\', where he remained for sewn 
years. lie tinalh' returned to the Kelse\- 
homestead in the Delaware \'alle_v, where he 
has been most successfullv eiiL^a^ed in i;eneral 
farmini; and dairviiij;. Hesides this farm, he 
h;ts two hundred acres nf nuth in^;' land. 




,I'.1,S().\ ()/.l.\S I'LINT. ])idprietor of 
the Walton foundrv and machine- 
Ic; y shop, is a manufacturer ol ]ilou,L;"hs. 

drag's, cultivators, and i<dlers, tor 
whicli he tinds a ready sale in this local it\ 
with<nit the assistance of tra\elliii,i; salesmen. 
He is resiK'Cted as one of the most enterprising; 
and upright business men of this part ol Dela- 
ware Countv. He was born in the town ol 
Delhi. .August Jcj. iSjii, being a son of Albert 
and loanna (Jones) I-'lint, the former of \\U<>nt 
was l)orn in Delhi, and the latter in Ciieene 
Comity. 

Albert i-"liiit wa> the son of a pioneer hotel- 
keeper of Delhi ; and after his marriage, which 
occurred in \^2C>. he .settled down to farming 



1 ■ " I ^ ' I I I ^ , I ; ! I [ ' I ' I \ I . 1 , t 

I le and his will- be. .um 
chihlieii, three cjj whion 
('■iinejiiis M., a l,imu 1 i 
ami ( )sinaii, a ioni| > 
Kipiibliiiiii. I he ii.iiiH 
Mary, who iliid \pril 
R., whii died near .Niiisii'iiiam, 
ol ihiiu-llvi' vears, leaviiiL; .1 \ii.'. 
children: Sarah .\ugust,i. .M 
delsoli, w ho died whi le in the 
1 )elhi, lea\ ing li\e childr<-M . \ 
married Heman johnsim, ,, 
foity-l'ue \ears, in 1 lelhi, .^ 
The father departed this life in 1 ■ 
widow in I .SSc>. 

Having mastered the coniiii- 
branches in the district si_hnii|. \. 
began at the age of twehe \ei'- 
steeji side hill of the old heir 
])airs ol horses. .\fter gruwm^ i.. lii.o.ii... .. 
he owned and im|irii\ed a line farm it I'l " 
on which he resiiled several ve.iis. Ai 
he was for about nineteen vears eng.i-i.i .1; , 
foundry in Delhi. In 1X77 he si. Id nut his 
|iid])erty in Delhi, and came to Waltnn, whe:.- 
two years later he est.ibl islu-d his |iiesin! 
fuimdrv and machine-shup, (piite ,in e\teii-i\c 

building, being one liuiuiied lii- ' 

and has since carried on a liv' 

business, emphivin,:; fi'Mu si\ ■ ,,j,, 

Mr. I'lint w.is united in i' _ '.i Miss 

ITi-ct.i I., ."smith nil l.uiuarv .*<. iS;i. Mis. 
l-'lint was burn in the tnvvii nf M(.ir.' ■' ^ 
gust j;, I X ;o. lu/iiiL; a daiiL^hln ,A I 
aiul I'.leC ^mith, l' 

rlied wlv ■ ■..'I'l,,': . 

who vv.as success! 
Meredith, was snh-r., 
a second familv of ch 
life in 1 X," ^' being tl 
He was a son n| I'. 
from Chath.im, l "v. in 1 

loc.ited in ill' 
the oiiginal 
four t imes n. 

Cleveland, |il,, ^ 

father. ( >ne of his wivi 
and In the other :' 
cliildren. He 
I celebrating the nm.- inindredi 



700 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



his birth, clyinj; at the home ot his son, Klijah 
Cleveland Smith, in Meredith. Mrs. Flint had 
five brothers and three sisters, all of whom, 
with the e.xceptioh of one sister, have passed 
away. Oi this family, three of the sons were 
]>ractising physicians, and one was a lawyer. 
Three of her half-brothers are .still living, as 
follows: George C. , a i^hysician, resides in 
Delhi. Josiah D., a farmer, wht) was a volun- 
teer in the army during the late Civil War, 
lives on the family homestead, which contains 
two hundred and forty acres of land. Henry 
Melville Smith is a jjractising physician in 
Jersey City. Mrs. Flint is a cultivated 
woman, who taught .school three terms before 
marriage. She and her husband h;ue reared a 
foster-child, Maggie, the wife of .A. I). Peak. 
Politically, Mr. Flint is a stanch supporter of 
the principles of the Democratic party, and 
he and his wife are dcNout members of the 
Methodist church, of which he is a Steward. 




l.\L\L\ CROSHV. a well-known resi- 
dent of P'leischmanns, where he is an 
enterprising man of business, was 
born in Middletown, January i, 
1838, being the son of Horace and Phebe 
(Ackerly) Crosby, and grandson of Hopkins 
and Betsy (Weed) Crosby. 

Hopkins Crosby was a farmer on Hubble 
Hill, where he worked the farm now owned by 
Ivlijah Hull. Later he went to Indiana, where 
he settled and continued farming until his 
death. His wife also died in that State, and 
they left the following children: Jeremiah, 
Horace, Cahin, Cvrus, Jeanette, Amanda, 
Fsther, Maria, I^lisha, and William. Horace 
was born on the old homestead at Hubble 
Hill in 1 81 2, and grew to manhood there. 
Having learned the tanner's trade, he served 
as foreman in a number of different places, and 
then bought a tannery at Clovesville, in which 
|ilace he carried on a successful business until 
his death. His wife was Phebe Ackerly, 
daughter of William and Lucy (Town.send) 
.Ackerly, the former of whom was a carpenter. 
He died in early manhood, and left three chil- 
dren — .Alfred, Matilda, and Phebe. The chil- 
dren of Horace and Phebe Crosby were: 
Calvin; Adelia, who married David Pulling, 



now deceased, and resides in Marlboro, Ulster 
Coimty, N. Y. ; and William H. and Mary V., 
both of whom died young. The father of these 
children was a Democrat, and a Methodist in 
religion. He lived to the age of sixty-three 
years, his wife reaching her seventy-first vear. 

Calvin Crosby having received his education 
in the schools of Clovesville, began to work 
at the age of fourteen for Mr. Humphrev, then 
became clerk for the firm of Snyder & Dim- 
mick, with whom he remained four years. He 
afterward purchased a horse and team, and for 
two years travelled the road with goods. He 
received the appointment of Deputy Sheriff for 
Delaware County under (jabriel S. Mead, of 
Walton, which office he held two years, and 
was for five \ears Constable in the town of 
Middletown. In 1864 he enlisted as a de- 
fender of his country's flag in Company C, First 
New York Fngineer Corps, and continued in 
.service until the close of the war, receixing 
an honorable discharge. On returning home, 
he married Augusta Van X'alkerburgh, daugh- 
ter of Ale.xander and Thankful (Peck) Van 
Valkerburgh. Her father is a mechanic, car- 
]ienter, and millwright, owning a saw-mill at 
Halcott Centre, Greene County. 

After Mr. Crosby's marriage his father died ; 
and he went into the mercantile business at 
Clovesville for three years, but at last took his 
father's tannery, carrying it on from 1865 to 
1886. During this period he met with various 
misha])s, at ()ne time losing a large stock of 
leather by fire in Boston. But, not discour- 
aged, he bought a new stock of bark and 
leather, which he lost by a freshet. Fven 
this did not daunt him. He began a<rain with 
renewed deternii nation, and kept on with the 
business. In the mean time his mother died; 
and he found himself ignored in the will, the 
propert)' going to others. In 1888 he estab- 
lished a general merchandise store at Fleisch- 
manns, which he has continued to the present 
day, now having the largest trade in the vil- 
lage. In politics he is a Democrat, and has 
been Overseer of the I'oor for eight years. He 
is a member of Margarettville Lodge, No. 389, 
A. I-". & A. M. : of the Knights^of Pythias; 
and of Flliot Post, (hand Army of the Re]nib- 
lic. In religion he is a progressive thinker, 
being liberal in his view.s. He has led an 



IIIOGR M'llK AI. KKVIKW 



70, 



nulustiious and usi.lul liU-. aiul well dcsciM"' 
the trust roposoil in liiiii hv his lelldw-tnwns- 
men. 



■OllX CLARK. Some III llie must thriv- 
ing;' and ]ir(is|)ernus farmers of this part 
cif I)eia\vare t_"iiinit\' are of foreij;n 
l)irtli, and proniiiK'nl aniont; these 
stands the .i;enllenian whose name a|)]iears al 
the liead of tliis l)rief sketcli. He was i)orn 
among the ruj;;;eti hills of Scotland, in Perth- 
shire, in the \ear i.S;o, and there received his 
schonlinj;'. lie l)e>,'an to work at farming; as 
soon as he was old enou_<;h, and remained in 
Scotland until \^7\. when, in iumpany with 
Isaac Scohie, he enii,u:rated to the rnite<l 
States. From New \drk City they made their 
wav to Delhi, in this county, Mr. Clark having 
fifteen dollars left when he arrived. Heinj; ot 
an enerijetic teni]ieranient, and willinj^ to work 
at any honorable emplo) ment, he remained not 
lont; idle, and the following eight years worked 
for Lawyer Hell, of Delhi. The ne.xt five 
years Mr. Clark was employed by Cieorge Mar- 
vin, who gave him twenty-three dollars per 
month. \Vhen he began work on his farm of 
two hundred and forty acres, a large i)art ot 
the land was covered with timber; but by 
continuous toil arul gooil management he has 
it now well under cultivation. He has met 
with most e.xcellent success in dairying and 
stock-raising, keeping a large flock ot shee]i. 
some fotn- or five horses, and a line dairy ol 
twenty-four cows, selling the milk in New 
York.' 

On lune 4, iSSo, Mr. Clark married Nellie 
Scohie, a native of Scotland, where she lived 
until after the deatli '<i her father in 1S72. 
The following year her widowed mother came 
to America with her four children, and, .set- 
tling in this locality, remained a resident of the 
neighborhood until her death, which occurred 
December 27, iS()i, at the age of seventy-seven 
years. The record of her children is as fol- 
lows; ls:iac, a farmer, who lives in llamden ; 
Annie, the wife of I'eter MclCwen; Nellie, the 
wife of Mr. Clark; and Jessie, the wife ot 
Charles Anderson, of West Delhi. Mr. and 
Mrs. Clark have become the parents of two 
children; namely, Jessie R., born February 6. 




I ,s.s ;, .III. I I >,i\ i'. \\ . , 1...1 n 

both o| ulioni h,i\i- g I 

;ne in the s.ime ■ l,i'->.i>, ui the lourlii 
at school. In |S< M' I ! ,rl. , ;.• 

father, John Cl.uk 

.Scot hind, ;ind : : 

come lo 1 i\i' u . 

accnrdingU , .ind iu-re lived until Ins iIimiIi. '•n 

May 4. I Si 14. 

The subjei t o| ihi-. In ief imtii . 
m;ide iiKin in e\er\ respect im|iluu !.;. lln 
term, ;ind has won an honored ]io>.ition in Ihi 
community b\ his h;ii)its of imhistrs .uid iiite;, 
rit\. Ill ]iolitics he i- a Nti;ii;;ht I<epublic;iii. 
and .:;i\es his earnest support to tin- prim ipli- 
of the p;iit\. Both he ,ind his wile ,11, 
in religious work, and ;ire esteemed n 
of the I'lesbvterian church ;it Del.iin < 



i.XRLI-.S L. I1K.KS, ;i promiii.nt 
;nid popular citizen ot Roxbury, In 

■'Is longs to one of those families wlii, h 

came to this country when it was 
still \oung and ha\e grown up with it through 
all its stages of hardship ;ind of jirogiess. 

His grandfather, .\mbrose Hicks, i!i<.'..' 
from No\a Scotia to Rhode Island, u i 
staved for a time, and then canie to Dei.n\ m 
Countx. New \'ork. .So rough were the road- 
that tile iouine\ was a long ;ind dit'ficult one. 
Mr. Hicks came the last part of the u i\ 
from Moirisville on - through the dens> 
forests, holding to the faint tr.i ' 
following the bkized trees which ; 
had gone before him had left n ii. 

took up one huiKlred :icres oi land. ^ 

work to build a log house. Th 
completed, and the next thiiii; to : 
to clear awa\' the hea\y growth ot 
midst of which his kind l.i\ \V 
enough of ground cl'' " ' 
[)lant various crops; 
year, he widened the 
and his wife h;iil tin 
ters - Jessie anil I'o' 
Mr. Hicks lived on hi- 
known as " the stone i 
Ira till he died ;r 

Mr. Ira Hicks i 
father, .\mbrose. He soo 



•J02 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



iial pidpcrly Uulc hiintlrcci and fifty acres, and 
so had four hundred ami fifty acres of hind in 
all. lie gave a great deal of attention, among 
other things, to cattle-raising. He also kept 
a fine dniry, and had a good trade in butter. 
Later he came down to Stratton j-'alls, and, 
huving ten acres of land, jnit uj) a store, and 
dealt in general merchandise and supplies. 
This proved a good mo\e ; for it supplied a 
growing need, and soon became a large and 
nourishing business, in addition to which Ira 
Kicks also took charge of the post-office. 
Misfortune now came, this building being 
destroyed by fire. Misfortune, however, did 
not daunt Mr. Hicks, who soon had a new 
.store, and was doing a larger business than 
ever — a business which continued until after 
the war in spite of the hard times which came 
at that jjeriod. He was much interested in 
militar\- matters, and won his way to a Colo- 
nelcy in the New York State militia. He 
was a Democrat, and held the office of -Super- 
visor of the town at one time. 

Mr. Ira Hicks married Laura Chase, daugh- 
ter of David Chase, a progressive farmer, who 
had been one of the early settlers. Mr. Chase 
had seven other children — Sarah, Lucy, 
Phebe, Hiram, Calvin, William, and Margaret. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ira Hicks had three children, 
namely: Samuel .\. Hicks, who married 
Jennie R. Barnes, but is now dead; Ad- 
dison T. Hicks, who married Sarah Older, and 
lives in Stamford, having three children; and 
Charles L. Hicks. At the age of eighty-nine 
years Ira Hicks passed away, leaving a good 
recoril and an honorable name. 

Mr. Charles L. Hicks was born in Roxbury, 
October lo, 1846. He received a good educa- 
tion at Delhi Academy. When he came of 
age, he took an interest with his father in the 
store. This he continued with good success 
and profit for many years. Mr. Hicks married 
Miss Mary Wilson, daughter of Robert F. and 
I'olly (I'owell) Wilson. Mr. Wilson came 
from Hobart to Roxburv some years ago, and 
lived here until his death, at the age of 
se\ent)-five. He had six childix-n, including 
Mrs. Hicks — John I'., Mary, I\gbert, Calista, 
Charles M., and b'rank. Mr. and Mrs. 
Charles L. Hicks have a son, Samuel W. , 
born April 1 1 , 1S76. 



Some years ago Mr. Hicks built a large 
and handsome house in one of the finest locali- 
ties in the county. The famous .Stratton Falls 
contribute not a little to the beauty of the 
place, which, with its pleasant walks and 
drives, its numerous shade and fruit trees, and 
its lawn tennis court, offers great attractions to 
his fashionable summer guests. Mr. Hicks is 
a Democrat in politics, and is a Free Mason, 
belonging, to Cceur de Lion Lodge, No. 571, 
A. F. & A. M., of Roxbury. He is also a 
member of the Reformed church. He is 
known among a wide circle of friends and 
acquaintances as a true man and a polished 
gentleman, courteous, intelligent, and agree- 
able, and possessed of more well-merited 
popularity than often falls to one's lot. 



fOH.X OLMSTEAD, Cashier of the 
I'^irst National Bank of Walton, be- 
longs to a prominent pioneer family, 
his ancestors on both his mother's and 
father's side being of good old New England 
stock. His grandfather, Philo Olmstead, 
who was a native of Ridgefield, Conn., be- 
came by marriage with Phebe Gray the father 
of two sons and one daughter. The latter 
died in infancy; while one of the sons, David 
Gray Olmstead, died in the prime of life at 
Walton, leaving a widow and one daughter. 
Philo Olmstead was well known throughout 
Connecticut as Colonel Olmstead, being a 
member of the State militia. He died in 
his seventy-sixth year, a wealthy man. His 
son Hiram was born at Meredith Scpiare, 
Delaware County, N.Y., February 20, 1821, 
and educated at the district school and in the 
academy at Walton, afterward devoting his 
time to school-teaching and farming. In 
1847 he married Sarah Hanford, who was born 
in Walton, April 15, 1827, on the old home- 
stead, which has descended to her from her 
father, Levi Hanford, and in which she still 
resides. Her father was a native of New 
Canaan, Conn., born in that town February 
15, 1792, and married Cynthia Hanford, who, 
however, was not nearly related to him. 
Mrs. Olmstead has one sister now living, the 
wife of George S. St. John, of North Walton. 
(For interesting ancestral history sec reminis- 



rUOGRAl'llIfAT. RKVIKW 



ccnccs 1)1 Willi. iin 1>. Ihinforii lu an"iiiii \>ui 
of this voluiiic. ) Ml. aiul .Mrs. Hiram ( )lni- 
stcail roared stvcn (.hililrcii, all >>[ whom arc 
still living, John, the suhjecl of tiiis sketch, 
being the third child and second son. 

Jolm Olmstead was born in Waltun. March 
-3' ii>5''>; ;ind, after imbibing all the learn- 
ing which the district school affonled, he was 
sent to the Walton Academy, at the same 
time helping his father on the farm, and later 
teaciiing school during the winter term. 
When twenl\-two yi-'ars of age, he began his 
business career, entering the cmi)loy of I". A. 
lirisack as a salesman. Appreciating his 
voung clerk's lare business ciualities, Mr. 
Hrisack soon accepted him as a partner in the 
firm. Mav 25, 1881. Mr. Olmstead married 
the daughter of Mr. Hrisack, Miss lunma: 
and thev are the \noui\ parents of two ciiil- 
dren: Ivlith H. (Jlmstead, a little miss of 
eleven vears, who attends school and disjjlays 
special talent for music: and Bertice H., who 
is a bright boy of eight. 

In 1890 the firm of which Mr. Olmstead 
was a member disposed of its business, which 
was in a most flourishing condition: and in 
i8i)i the i'irst National Hank was establisiied 
with a capital of hfty thousand dollars and 
five thousand dollars surplus, Mr. Olmstead 
being a stockhohler and Cashier, and his 
father, Hiram ()lmstead, a stockholder and 
Director. Mr. Olmstead is a Repulilican, is 
respected as a man nf sterling worth and trie<l 
integritv, and has occupied the positions n[ 
Town and Corporation Clerk. He is a C on- 
gregationalist, while his wife is connected 
"with the I'ljMscop.il church. Mr. and Mrs. 
Olmstead reside at the pleasant iKune of her 
father, who is in frail health. Her niotiier 
died here in 189 1. 



LSAX 1:. I'NSLix i;aki:k, a 

beloved resident of llancock, Dela- 
^-'-^ ware County, was born in this place 
'' ""^' March 15. 1S43. daughter of (ieorge 

TCnsIin, [r., :ind his wife, Rhoda Holton Imis- 
lin. Her jiaternal grandfather, Ge<irge I'.ns- 
lin. a blacksmith liy trade, worked his passage 
from (iermany to America in order to save 
what monev he had for a start in the New 



r 




Wiirld. 1 li' w.i> .iij. ■ .1 

t an.i.m. I'a., wlnie lie lidjciwrd liis liade in 

connect iiMi witii lainiin.;. Tciin ' 

niiti'd Indian >ia)eraMd liunter, w.i 

lar friend i>f Mr. Ilnslin's land 1) , wiihwliuin 

he m.ide his linme when nut in "' 

anil fur a hmg lime lliev h.id ( luthi 

memenli's of that remaikal)h' ni.in. 

Mr. 1-jislin lived tu the adv. in I 

eighty-h\e years. liis son, (ieur;;e I 
Jr.. the f.itlier nf Mrs. li.ikrr, w.i-, I 
1794, in the tnwn nf Hiiekingh. un, 
C(un)tv, l';i., just across the river from ll.m- 
cnck. Here he was edue.ited, being oidi:;id 
to walk live miles to school, but .it an e.irl\ 
age began to assist on the hmni' fiiin. II i> 
tir,-,t wife was Thankful lirirfin, .nnl ids ^ t - 
ond, khoila Holton. daughter nf Jnn;ithan 
Holtnn, wlio came tn this country from Cnn- 
necticut after the Revolutionary War. .Mr. 
]5olton settled nn the east branch of the Dela- 
ware River, on what is known as "Hnlton's 
Fhits" in the town nf Hancock, where he was 
one of the early pioneers. I^nlisting in the 
War of i8ir, he was statinned at New \'nrk 
Ibirbor, and was recei\ing a |)ensinn fnr l)i> 
S(.'r\ices when he died. 

.Susan luislin was educated in the distrii t 
schonls of llancnck, always making that place 
her home. In 1S66 she married .\uguslu> 
Lakin. son of John l.akin, nf M;Mi<nck. 
(^ The genealogv of the l.akin family is given 
in connection with the bingrai>hy of Jnhn 1. 
l.akin.) Mr. .Augustus l.akin was a !uml>; r- 
man nn the Delaware River, and was kilh .1 
by Ings falling upon him in the woods, dyiii:, 
the last dav nf ihj year iS8ri. leaving hi- -.vi;- 
a widow with twn children, namely; 

man, wlio was burn I-"ebruary iS. i.S' .,.■. 

died .Sejitember 24, iS,So: ;ind l.ucy V... who 
was born J.muary I :•,, 1S78. and is imw tin- 
only living child nf Mrs. r..iker. On Decem- 
ber' 2, iSS;. .Mrs. .Susan \'.. l.akin married 
James Wellinuton R ' ■ :" C.ilbna. - ' 
tiarie Count v. bnrn M i>^>"- ^^ 

to llancnck in i8''i''. 
Hale's |-:dd\. wh. '- • 
and fartning. II 
native oi \'u'- 
j8, 1874, le 1 . 
Van liverv, the lormcr ot wimni dien in 1 S •; :, 



704 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



and the latter in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Baker 
have educated two children, doing and caring 
for them as their own. 

Mr. Baker, a Democrat in politics, was a 
very successful business man, and was active 
in town affairs, holding the position of Poor 
Master from . 1 88g to 1891 inclusive. He was 
an esteemed member of Shehawken Lodge and 
Royal Arch Chapter, A. F. & A. M., and 
when he died was buried with full Masonic 
honors. He is spoken of as a jovial, generous- 
hearted man, universally loved and respected. 
His death was a great loss to the community 
in which he lived, and was deeply mourned by 
his many friends and fellow-citizens. Mrs. 
Baker is noted for her charitable disposition, 
and is at present bringing up as her own two 
little children, a brother and sister, to whom 
she gives a happy home. Here they live con- 
tented with the love of so good and noble a 
woman, who is known to them as mother, and 
who is so sincerely esteemed by all. 




ica, 



ETUS F. SEARLES was born in Mid- 
dletown, Delaware County, N.Y., 
January 5, 1852. His early ances- 
tors came from England to Amer- 
and settled in Massachusetts. Boaz 



Searles, his grandfather, married Mary Bel- 
lows, who belonged to the noted Bellows fam- 
ily of Vermont. They had ten children, who 
were born in the following order: Zetus, 
March 13, 1799; Lumen, .September 22, 
1801; Aurilla, November 10, 1802: Flowers, 
September i, 1804; Hiram, July 24, 1806; 
Etheta, October 31, 1807; Marina, October 
24, 1809; Jerry, June 17, 1810: Walter, July 
27, 1813; Stillwell, January 31, 1S15. Boaz 
Searles lived to be seventy-six years old. 

The father of Mr. Zetus .Seailes married 
Miss Mary Blish, daughter of John Blish, one 
of the early settlers of Griffin's Corners, and 
one of the substantial citizens of that village. 
Of this union seven children were born, 
briefly recorded as follows: Ivlectra, married 
first to Mr. S. Tompkins, second to William 
O. Kelly, and now living at Red Hill, has 
two children. Frances, married to Jason B. 
Caton, a carpenter in Roxbury, has six chil- 
dren. Elmira, married to Amos Allison, 



lives in Margarettville, and has one child. 
Zetus F. is further spoken of below. Susan 
lives at home. Byron married Miss Clara 
Kelly, and is now a widower in Margarett- 
ville. Howard D. lives at home. 

Zetus F. Searles married at twenty-two 
years of age the daughter of John ami Ange- 
line (Fuller) Smith, both of whom are living 
quiet, retired lives at Kelly's Corners. Mr. 
Searles managed and worked the farm of his 
father-in-law for some years, and then bought 
a store, in which he is now engaged, and 
which is the largest mercantile establishment 
in the vicinity. Mr. Zetus Searles is a strong- 
advocate of Republican principles in politics, 
and is a man of broad religious views, being 
untrammelled by petty distinctions of secta- 
rian creed, while he has sincere respect for 
"pure religion and undefiled." 

He has one daughter, Lina, who was born 
on October 17, 1877. 



OHN PETERS was born in the town of 
Stamford, Delaware County, N.Y., 
March 22, 1804, the son of Richard 
Peters and Susannah Halsted, who 
came to this county from Saratoga, and set- 
tled in the town of Stamford about the year 
1795, on the farm recently occupied by Mr. 
James A. Rich, bringing all their earthly 
possessions in a wooden chest of primitive 
mould and rather heroic dimensions, which 
served them for years in their new home, in 
turn as table, tool-chest, wardrobe, and cup- 
board, and which was carefully preserved in 
the family for many years, bearing the marks 
of teeth and claws of many wolves, bears, and 
other wild animals, received during their al- 
most nightly visits while doing duty as a bar- 
ricade to their doorlcss cabin. It is not too 
much to say that the presence of some of these 
animals around or near their cabin during 
these years was almost of nightly occurrence; 
and the "death rate" of the item of wolves 
for a single season killed by Mr. Richard 
Peters and a neighbor, Mr. Timothy Canfield, 
as an occasional pastime, numbered as high 
as fifteen. The writer remembers a solitary 
cove in the woods near the Bovina line, on 
the old farm, pointed out by the old gentle- 



lilOCRAIMllCAI. KFVIi:W 



man (John I'ctcrs) many years a.L^o as a spot 
where he was at one time attacked in (>i)en day 
by three ol these hall-starved creatures, he 
having; only an axe and an idd knile with 
which to defend liimselt, tiie coiitiicl ending 
only when he had ilespalched the most tleter- 
mined one and injured another, and beini^ 
pretty well scratched up and done lor hinisell. 
The family of Richard I'eters (whose father 
and i;ran(lfather both bore the same name) 
consisted of nine children, hve sons antl four 
daughters. Of these John was the sixth child 
and the youngest son. One of the social feat- 
ures of our country during these early years, 
worthy of note, was the existence of slavery 
throughout the Northern as well as the South- 
ern States. That previous to the passage of 
a law about the year 1S20 fixing at latitude 
thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes a divi- 
sion known as the "Compromise Line," 
dividing States that should henceforth be 
recognized as "slave" and "free," slavery 
existed to a limited extent in Delaware 
County, is a fact which doubtless many of the 
present generation have but imperfectly com- 
prehended. A considerable number of the 
prominent farmers, however, owned one or 
more slaves. One such was among the chat- 
tels of the Peters household —a colored girl 
whose name is now forgotten. Her acknowl- 
edged value appeared to have been estimated 
at from two hundreil and fifty to three hun- 
dred dollars: and she was "swapped" around 
among the families of the neighborhood at 
about one of these prices, with nearly the 
same fretpiency and as little ceremony as the 
good woman of the house in our day changes 
her servant girl. Tlie sequel of this particu- 
lar Topsy's history was that during her forced 
migrations she chanced to fall into hands that 
were reported as not being any too gentle 
toward her: and some of her former owners, 
having learned of this fact, straightway con- 
sulted with the good minister, the Rev. Rob- 
ert Forrest, in reference to the matter. A 
purse was raised, a large proportion of the 
amount having been furnished by the i)reacher: 
and the slave girl soon became the property ol 
the venerable .Scotch divine. There being a 
worthv colored man in the neighborhood who 
had lately obtained his own freedom, and was 



nuitrimoni.illy inclined, tiie gnod in:iii .,.. 

out the sai)le Rumeo, anil in course of time, 
witii llie fullest consent of all parlies inter- 
ested, sold to him the hiilhlul Juliet lor thi- 
sum of one dollar, marrying them in the bar- 
gain, the couple living h.ippily together lor 
many years, the firm Iricnds of tln-ir gciurous 
and saintly benefactor. 

At the age of twenly-six years. July 1, 
i8>o, John I'elers married Jane, d.iuglitir n| 
William HIakely, Msq., of Koitriglit, .\".^'., 
and shortly thereafter purchased of his l:itlier 
the Stamford homestead, the father r^ ' 
shortly afterward, with the unmarried 
of his family, to lull)-, ( hiondag.i County. 
X.\'. There were born to John ;inil J;ine 
I'eters four daughters and two sons: Nancy 
C, who became the wife of S;imue! Mcf'une; 
Sarah A., who dieil unmarried at the age ol 
eighteen years: William I?., now residing at 
Bioomvill'e: FJizabeth J., wife of the late 
ludge D. r. .Arbuckle: .Susan I-"., wife of the 
Hon. Henry Davie; and John R. I'elers — all 
of whom are living excejil the two first named. 
Although succeeding well as a farmer, the 
rather restless spirit of John was not to be 
confined to the limits of the homestead do- 
main: anil, forming a ]jartnershi|j with a 
friend :ind neighbor. Mr. John Loughren (who 
later became the senior member of the butter 
firm of Loughren & ICghert, of New \'ork 
City), carried on with him for many ye;irs a 
t[uite extensive and profitable busines> ;i> 
clealers in butter, woid, etc. Later he addeii 
to this i|uite an extensive busines.- in th. 
manufacture of horse-rakes, being one I'l ih' 
pioneers in this industry, beginning with th.it 
marvel of labor-saving aiijiliances, the wheel- 
less scratch rake, which in thi-se jiroi '.--'■. ■■ 
days would be regarded as a marvt '. 
man-killing art. The favorite branc ' 
business, however, during his early 
that to which he devote<l nn'st ol Ir 
tion. w:is dealing in wool. In tiies 
years nearly every farmer living in t' 
of Andes, Hovina, Middletown. :r 
kejjt more or less shee|i, nrtm- 
two hundred to five hi 

m;u)y as :i thousand : 

industry was the ■ 

county. Fulling and cardw.^ u....> 



7o6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



common as grist-mills at the present day. 
Every house had its spinning-wheels, and very 
many contained looms for weaving their yarn 
into cloth for family use. Buyers of wool 
were abundant in the county about sheep- 
shearing time, the latter part of May or early 
June; and activity meant success. Sleep on 
the part of local speculators during this rather 
brief portion of the season was a matter that 
was left almost out of the question; and many 
were the "lots " of wool that were purchased 
for future delivery during the midnight and 
early morning hours, the good man of the 
house being "rattled" out of his bed, and the 
negotiations carried on and completed through 
the keyhole or open window, the jjurchaser 
having no time to wait for him to ajjpear in 
his "proper person." During these years he 
was seldom vvithout two or three farms on his 
hands, it being as much in the line of his 
speculative disposition to buy a drove of cows 
as a dairy of butter, and a farm as either, pro- 
viding always there was promise of quick re- 
turns and a fair commission; and it might, 
we think, be safely said of him, as many of 
his early acquaintances would testify, that he 
possessed in a large degree a si)irit of deter- 
mination which usually "made things go." 
In the year 1850, having purchased a farm in 
the village of Bloomville, he removed to that 
village, where he shortly after engaged in the 
mercantile business. This was the period 
when the gold excitement of California was at 
white heat; and, as an experiment, he made 
at different times large shipments of butter to 
that market. One of the methods adopted 
with fair success for preserving it sweet dur- 
ing the journey of two or more months neces- 
sary for its transit was that of i)acking the 
butter in small wooden kegs, holding about 
one gallon, identical in style with the old- 
fashioned oyster-kegs. These kegs were in 
turn packed in large casks of sixty or more 
gallon capacity, and the vacant spaces care- 
fully filled with Turk's Island salt. These 
weighty packages were then carted by team to 
Catskill, thence by water to New York, and 
thence around Cape Horn, crossing the equa- 
tor twice on their journey to the "forty- 
niners'" in that then far-off land of gold — a 
venture which proved a financial success. 



The advent of the hop-growing industry into 
Delaware County gave scope for speculation; 
and Mr. Peters, although well advanced in 
years, took his chances with the others, and, 
like most others who dealt in this rather 
treacherous commodity, met with varied experi- 
ences as to the result. Many of the members 
of the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regi- 
ment will recall a characteristic incident 
which occurred during a visit made by Mr. 
Peters to their camp at Upton Hill, Va., dur- 
ing the war. It is needless to say that to 
many of the boys he was a welcome visitor; 
and, when night came on, they succeeded in 
arranging for him a comfortable sleeping- 
place in one of the tents. This, however, the 
old gentleman, being a good sleeper, entirely 
ignored; and, wrapping himself in a blanket, 
he took his place with "the rest of the boys," 
stretched at full length around the camp-fire, 
where he was soon sleeping soundly. The 
night being cool, the disposition was to un- 
consciously snuggle up a little closer to the 
embers; and toward morning the "mess" 
were awakened by him with the caution: 
"Take ca.re there, boys.' some of you are 
burning! It's somebody's boots.'" Then, 
suddenly getting out of his, he said : "Well, 
well! I guess it's my boots, after all!" 
They were both burned to a crisp — a joke 
which furnished sufficient fun for the rest of 
the night, and which no one seemed to enjoy 
better than himself. A pair of army 
"schooners" about as wide as they were long 
were substituted, which "did him ]3roud " until 
he returned to Washington. 

Mrs. Jane Peters, his wife, died at Bloom- 
ville, March 7, 1879, at the age of sixty-eight 
years, after having spent a busy and in many 
respects an exemjilary life. Of slight frame 
and never physically strong, she shared the 
spirit of activity and ambition wliich has char- 
acterized the life of her husband. Her kind 
disposition and gentle manners deserved and 
were rewarded with the respect of all with 
whom she mingled. Her remains are resting 
beside those of her husband's parents, Richard 
and Susannah Peters, who, after living about 
twenty years in Cortland County, returned to 
Delaware that tJiey miglit spend their last 
days near the scenes of their early married 



RIOGRAPHICAI. REVIP:\V 



7 '■-'7 




life, and in the year 1853 wore, within a few 
weetcs of eacli otiier. laid to rest in ti)e ceme- 
tery at Blooniville. Mr. John Peters is living 
with his son, William H. Peters, at Hloom- 
ville, hale and hearty, and still full ot busi- 
ness projects, at the age of ninety-one years. 
His long and active life, crowding hard upon a 
century, has been to a greater extent than that 
of any other man now living identified with 
the hislorv of tlie village in which he dwells. 



1 LI. I AM H. I'lnKRS, third child 
and eldest son of John Peters and 
Jane ]51akely, was born in the town 
of Stamford, Delaware County, N.Y., Decem- 
ber 23, 1837, in the same house in which his 
father first saw the light, and took his name 
from his maternal grandfather, William 
Blakely. Since the age of twelve years he 
has been a resident of Blooniville, having 
removed with his parents to that village in 
1850, on the same day in which Simon B. 
Champion, the now venerable editor of the 
Stamford Mirror, took up his abode tlierein. 
lieing a boy of an inquisitive turn of mind, 
his time for the following four years was 
about et|ually divideil between the district 
schoolhouse, iiis father's store, and the print- 
ing-office, with odds ]irobablv in favor of the 
latter. At the age of si.xteen he was placed 
in IIar|)ersfiel(l Union Academy, at that time 
uniler the supervision of the Rew Robert 
Rogers, and remained for two vears, at the 
end of which time he entered I^elaware .Acad- 
emy at Delhi, in the old building which is 
now standing, opposite the County Clerk's 
office, it being the first term in which Profes- 
sor John L. Sawyer was in control of that in- 
stitution. He rcmaineil a student there for 
about three years, during which time the [ires- 
ent buildings were erected and the school was 
removed into its more commodious quarters: 
and during the same time he taught two win- 
ter terms of school. At twenty-one years of 
age he entered \n\.o mercantile business at 
Blooniville with Samuel McCune, under the 
firm name of McCuiie & Peters, and the lol- 
lowing winter was elected Justice of the 
Peace, his opponent being the honorable 
Stephen H. Keeler. now deceased. 



Jul) I/, i,-.'ii, 1..11: .M\s |,r.\iui|s I., the 
battle 111 iUill Run, he rnairied ilaiin.ih Rich, 
of .South Kiirtright, d.iUL;hler nf J:inies Rieh 
and Jane .Snuthard, and ,1 gr.ind-d.mghter ol 
the Rev. Robert l-".prre>.t. .Mi-. Piter-, is .1 
sister nf Cajdain Jnhu Ricli, l.ili c.i J,|, Km.ii- 
ville, i-"la. Like her liu^liand, .Mrs. Piters 
was for a time a sluilenl at iJei.iw.ire Acad- 
emy under tiie tutorage nf i'rofessor Sawyer. 
During the w.ir Mr. Peters was a menilier ot 
the town board, and was fur some time en- 
gaged in the recruiting service, being later 
appointed to assist Colonel Roiicrt P.irker and 
the lion. James 11. Graham in looking after 
the just a])porlionment of .State militarv 
credits in Delaware Countv. at Albanv, and 
elsewhere. .After the war, having closed out 
his mercantile business, he engaged in agri- 
cultural i>ursuits on what w.i> then known as 
the John Bathrick farm in Blooniville. and 
continued to make this his business, in p.irt. 
for about four vears. In this short periorj he 
entitled himself, as he declares, to be re- 
garded as one of the most unsuccessful f.irmers 
in the community: and, feeling a p.irticular 
respect for men who succeed in employments 
where he cannot, he to this day feels like 
raising his hat when he meets a prosiierous 
farmer. Mathematics was his favorite study, 
and he had a special fondness for mechanical 
pursuits. The astonishing development ol the 
watch-making industrv about 1870 leil him to 
engage in the watch and jewelry business: 
and this occujxition, together with that of sur- 
veying, to which he has Irmn hoyhuod given 
more or less attention, have for the past 
twenty-five \ears furnished him with sulVicient 
and fairly remunerative eniployment. As a 
surveyor and draughtsman, Mr. Peters is --.liil 
to have no siqierior in Del.iw.ire County. 

Mr. and Mrs. Peters have had a family oi 
four chiiLlren, three daughters and one si:)n. 
named, respectivel)', Jennie, who died ;it the 
ago of eleven years: Liz/iei)ell. who [lursued 
a course of stud\- at Dekiware .Academ). .md 
afterward graduated fmn) the Oneouta Normal 
.School; J:unes R., who wi- ''• ■• ■ •'"'■• a stu- 
dent at Delaware .Xcadeni 1 >. L. 
Moody's schtol .it Mount 1 1 M.i>s. ; 
iiiul Sarah, who finished .1 co'; udv .U 
Delaware Academy. 



7o8 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 




'HERMAN STREET BOUTON 

was born in Griffin"s Corners, May 
17, 1864, son of David A. and 
Rollins (Covell) Bouton. His 
great-grandfather Bouton came from West- 
cheste'r County, and settled in Delaware 
County in 1807. David A. Bouton, Sr., son 
of the emigrant, moved from Batavia Kill to 
Beaver Dam, and thence, in 1823, to Red 
Kill, where he bought seventy-five acres of 
land, and made his permanent home. He 
served in the War of 1812. He married 
Katie Williams; and they reared ten chil- 
dren, briefly named as follows: John Bouton 
married Betsey Smith. Katie married D. 
Northrop. Betsey married the same after her 
sister's death. Walter is deceased. Avery 
A. married H. Richards. Polly married S. 
Reynolds. Louisa married Henry Powell; 
and Sarah, her twin sister, married Martin 
Kelly. Julia married Mr. Thomas O'Connor. 
David A., Jr., married Miss Rollins Covell, 
and was the father of Sherman S. Bouton, 
the first white child born in Halcott, Greene 
County. 

David A. Bouton, Jr., settled on the farm 
of the wife's father, to which he added' two 
hundred and fifty acres, and upon which he 
built houses and barns, and made many im- 
provements. Here on the family estate seven 
children were born. John died in the Civil 
War. Avery A. married Anna K. Lasher. 
Harley married Gilbert Moseman, living in 
Halcott. Mary married three times, first to 
D. A. Morrison, second to L. Faulkner, and 
third to C. Sanford ; she has one child, and 
in Margarettville. Daniel H. married 
Lasher, by whom he had one child, and 
her death married Minnie Newton. 
Henry married Mary Van Valcurbing. 

Sherman S. Bouton was the youngest child 
of his parents. He received his education at 
Griffin's Corners, and at the age of twenty- 
three years was united in marriage to Hattie 
Todd, the daughter of John and Emily (Utter) 
Todd. Mr. Todd is a successful farmer at 
Dry Brook, Middletown, and has reared a 
family of seven children: Charles; Warren; 
Nettie; Hattie, Mrs. Bouton; Bertha; Liz- 
zie; and Ida. Mr. Bouton established a gro- 
cery and ice-cream parlor in the village of 



lives 
Ettie 
after 



Griffin's Corners, which he conducted for two 
years. He then came to Margarettville, and, 
buying the Scriven place, converted it into a 
restaurant, and later on enlarged it into a 
hotel, which he has conducted successfully, 
and in a way to elicit the commendation of his 
patrons and the travelling public who enjoy 
his hospitality. Mr. Bouton is full of busi- 
ness enterprise and public spirit, and has been 
among the foremost in every project for the 
advancement and development of the town's 
resources. In the parlance of the present era 
of active effort, he is a "boomer." In politi- 
cal faith he holds fast to Republican tradi- 
tions. He has one son, P"orrest, born July 
13, 1888. 




ILLIAM THOMSON BLACK, who 
is holding the highest office in his 
town to-day, is a grandson of Will- 
iam Black, a Scotch herdsman who came to 
seek his fortune in America in 1841, and who 
settled on a farm in Bovina, Delaware County. 
He left seven children, four of whom are still 
living, namely: Mrs. Mary Whitson, of 
Dutchess County; Mrs. Jane Taylor, of 
Andes; Mrs. Rebecca Thompson, of Minne- 
sota: the Rev. James Black, of Hamilton, 
Ontario. David, the father of William T., 
and two others, are dead. 

David was a boy of seventeen when he came 
to America, and was a farm laborer for some 
years before he became a land-owner. His 
first possessions lay in Grant County, Wiscon- 
sin; but he moved back to Delaware County, 
and here he spent the last years of his life. 
He died in 1883. His wife, Margaret Thom- 
son, who was fourteen years his junior, died 
thirteen years before him. David was an 
honest, industrious man, who held the respect 
of the entire community in which he lived. 
He was an Elder in the United Presbyterian 
church, in whose communion he lived and 
died; and he was elected Supervisor for 
eleven consecutive terms. He left two sons 
— William T. and James, the latter a Presby- 
terian clergyman in Boston, Mass. Two 
other children died in childhood. 

William T. Black was born in Beetown, 
Grant County, Wis., on August 5, 1861. He 



RIOGRAI'IIICAF, RKVII'AV 



7'» 



grew up in Rovina, whore he was educated in 
the district scIiodI. Opportunity for jiiu'suing 
a higher course of study was denied him, as 
the management of the farm fell to his lot at 
his father's death. In his youth he taught 
school for two terms, which helped, no doubt, 
to fix thoroughly in his mind the learning he 
had already acquired. The homestead has 
now passed into his hands, and has been re- 
modelled and greatly improved. He takes a 
pardonable pride in the three dozen Jersey 
cows, whose cream and butter are of wide 
local reputation. On his farm is one of tiic 
finest groves of larches to be found in Rovina. 
In 1S85 Mr. IMack was married to Miss 
Bell J. Irvine, a daughter of Henry and Jean- 
nette (Ainslie) Irvine, of Delhi. Roth he 
and his wife are members of the United Pres- 
byterian church in Rovina Centre, of which 
he is a Trustee. William Rlack is a Repub- 
lican in politics. He is a very capable man 
of affairs, well informed, and possessed of 
sound sense. lie is now acceptably serving 
his second term as .Su]3er\isor. 




J. GKORGIC is a [irominent farmer, 
residing in Arkville, in Middletown, 
Delaware County, and was born on 
the site of his present home. Jul}' 
24, 1843. 'J'^ great-grandfather was John 
George, of whom more may be found in the 
biography of Iliram N. George. Henry 
(jeorge, son of John, married Elizabeth Trem- 
pcr; and their fourth son was Edward, wh(j 
married Olive Todd, and became the father of 
the special subject of this sketch. Edward 
George received his education in a log school- 
house. At the age of nineteen lie learned 
coopering. About this time his marriage 
took place, his wife being a ilaughter of 
Lyman and I'olly (Craft) Todd. Ruying the 
homestead farm, he built thereon a new frame 
house, besides a saw-mill. Tiiis land he 
finished clearing, and then bought more, so 
that in time he owned five hundred and 
seventy-five acres. The timber was worked 
up in his mill, and then sold, mostly in the 
neighborhood, though a small quantity was 
shipped to Philadelphia. Ry these enter 
prises he was able to leave a comfortable fort- 



une when he (lied, at the .ige ol sixty-seven. 
He had two children. The i|d>-.sl is the suii- 
ject ol this sketch. I'lie nijier is a sister, 
Catherine Gc-or-e, the wile c>| \ 
Rroadkill, of Reaver Hill, and li.is tin 
ilren. Their father w.is a kepublir.ui, and a 
very intluenlial and honorable cili/en. I'iie 
mother has outlived her husband, and is still 
a cheerful Christian of the Methoilist I'^iiscn- 
])al faith. 

A. J. George went to the jiublic scho<d in 
the .Arkville district, ami, like his father, 
early began life for himself, bein^ ni.irried at 
the age of twentv, during the 
to Hannah Elizal)elh Myres. 
April, I.S43, and v.as therefore his senior li\ 
a few months. .She was t'- ' ter of J.icob 

Myres, a farmer in M iile. H<r 

grandfather, Henry .Myres, uniiKd ( 
Sha\'er. He was horn in Germ.mv, h 
in early life to this country, and settled at 
-Shavertown, where he met his wife, by whom 
he became the father of fifteen childreTi. 
Those who grew up were: Jacob, 
Henry, William, Atlam. .Sally, Retsy, 
ine, and Jane Myres. Jacob Myres reared 
seven children. Of these Jackson Myr 
ried Catherine Gavett, of I'ine Hill, 
seven chilchen. James .M\res married H.ii- 
riet Wycoff, lives in Marg.ueltville, and has 
five chiUlren. Catherine Myres married Wes- 
ley Gavett. of I.i\ingston Manor, and has 
three children. Daniel Myres died in the 
great Rebellion, fighting for his country's 
honor. Hannah M\res is Mrs. tieorge. May 
.Mvres is the wife of Jackson Corhin. of Ro\- 
hurv. and has four children. Charles M\ res 
marrieil Sarah Slack, lives in Margarcttville. 
and has one child. In vouth Mr. George 
worked with his father, lumbering and farm- 
ing, and now is the (jwner of the old hi'me- 
stead ; hut he has built a new r< - 
done much to keep the estate ti;. 
times. He keeps twenty-five cows, 
has thirty head of other ••'■. '" ' • 
and fifty sheep. Fn fact ' 
sive farmer in the vallev. 

Ihe home of Mr. ii- f Mv~ ■ 
blessed witli nvi- 
was liorn Felini 1: . 3. 
, Griffin's Corners, in t! 



7IO 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



was born July 14, 1870, and lives at home. 
Menitt was born F"ebruary 6, 1873, and has 
followed the paternal and grand-paternal. ex- 
ample in his youthful marriage to Lillie War- 
ren; and they live at Griffin's Corners, with 
one child. Cyrus George was born Novem- 
ber 13, 1875, an<^l I'v^s °" ^^^ home farm; 
and so does Harvey George, born October 21, 
1879. Arthur George was born May 10, 
1868, and died at the early age of four. In 
politics Mr. George is a Republican. The 
Greek poet, Hesiod, has wisely written, " Let 
it i)lease thee to keep in order a moderate- 
sized farm, that so thy garners may be full 
of fruits in their season." Hardly can the 
George farm be called moderate in size, but 
its owner faithfully obeys the i-njunction to 
keep it in prime shape. 




Bl'lNEZER LAIDLAW, of Margarett- 
ville, was born in the town of Andes, 
July 28, 1828. His grandparents, 
Thomas and Margaret (Stewart) Laidlaw, 
were both natives of Hawick, Scotland, where 
Thomas was a spinner in a woollen factory. 
Three children were born to them; namely, 
William, Ebenezer, and Mary. Thomas came 
to America in 1823, and bought in New 
Kingston, Delaware County, a farm of one 
hundred and eighty acres of land, which was 
of more than ordinary value, as it had already 
been cultivated and improved. He died at 
eighty-seven years of age, being a member of 
the Presbyterian church, and a Whig. 

William Laidlaw settled in Weaver Hollow 
in Andes, where he purchased two hundred 
and sixty acres of partially improved land. 
The lease of the previous tenant having run 
out, William took the estate on a new lease, 
the contract of which stipulated for twenty 
bushels of wheat a year as rental. He pur- 
chased this farm eventually, and married Miss 
Isabella Liddle, by whom he had twelve chil- 
dren, briefly mentioned as follows: Andrew, 
who married Margaret Miller, and to whom 
were born six children; Ebenezer, of whom 
this memoir is written; Thomas, who married 
Catherine Robertson, and is now a farmer in 
Kansas; Margaret, who married Daniel Hizer, 
became a widow in 1891, and is the mother of 



seven children, and lives in Andes; Stewart, 
a farmer and blacksmith, who married Mary 
Johnson, and has a family of five children; 
Christina, who married James Reynolds, and 
has one child; James, who died young; Will- 
iam, Jr., who was in the war, and now lives 
in Michigan; John, deceased; Mary, who 
married James Miller, and has five children; 
Isabella, who married F. Ferguson, a farmer 
of Bovina, and has three children; Alexander, 
who married Milla Gibbs, and is a stock 
dealer and blacksmith in Kansas. The father 
was a Republican, and a Presbyterian. He 
died at the age of sixty-five years. 

Ebenezer was educated in the district school 
of Andes, and at twenty-two started to work 
as a stone-mason. Three years later he 
learned blacksmithing, which he plied for six- 
teen years at Margarettville. After some 
years of industrious toil he bought a small 
estate near the village, where he established 
and conducts a dairy of grade Jerseys, not, 
however, neglecting his trade, at which he 
continues to work. He won the heart and 
hand of Miss Sabra Kelly, a daughter of Jesse 
and Priscilla (Ackerly) Kelly, to whom he 
was joined in marriage in 1857. Six children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelly: Demaris; 
Naoma: Dennis; Sabra K., Mrs. Laidlaw; 
Jane; and Emery. Ebenezer and Sabra 
(Kelly) Laidlaw are the parents of two chil- 
dren : Bell, born November 23, 1864; and 
William, born November 14, 1872. The lat- 
ter married Fanny Moore, a daughter of Ben 
Moore, and resides in Margarettville, where 
he follows the trade of blacksmith. Ebenezer 
Laidlaw has inherited the thrift and cool 
sagacity of his Scottish ancestry, with whom 
the national characteristic of shrewdness was 
strongly marked. He is a Republican, and 
among other offices has held that of Overseer 
of the Poor. 



T'r::^OBERT B. van AKEN, a well- 

I ^^ known furniture dealer in the village 

|b\ of Walton, has long been connected 

^"^ with the mercantile interests of 

this part of Delaware County, having owned 

and managed a jewelry store in the village 

prior to the time of opening his present place 



RlfX'.kAPmCAI, KKVIKW 



lit business. lie IS a man in tin- |)riinc ul 
life, and during;- his residence in this llirivinj^ 
village has built up for hinisoU a reputation 
for honesty and gooii business nuthods. ilis 
birth occurred in Deliii in 1847. His father. 
Jeremiah \'an Aken, was horn in Middletown 
in 18 JO, and died in the town of Walton in 
I 890. 

Mr. \'an Aken is a ;.;randson of (lideon \'an 
.•\ken, will) emi!;raled to this country frum 
Holland, and settled in Kingston. N.\'.. but 
later came to Delaware County with his wife, 
and took up a small tr.ict of thicklv wooded 
land on I'latner Brook. They reareil a fami!\' 
of twelve children, all of whom grew to aiiult 
life, and all but two marrieil. These four are 
now living: Joseph, a venerable man of ninety 
xears, whose home is near I-'ort .'\nn ; Cather- 
ine, residing on the old home farm; Xancv, 
the wife of Alvan Hindick. near l)elhi; and 
Kliza, the widow of Lucian Stillson, a resi- 
dent of ]\Ieredith. 

The father of the subject of tiiis brief 
sketch became one of the prosperous farmers 
of Delaware County, carrying on his occu|)a- 
tion for a few \ears in Delhi, and afterwanl 
removing to Hamden, clr)se to the town of 
Tompkins. He married Ann V. Hallentine. 
who was born in the town of Bovina. their 
nuptials being celebrated in 1836. .Si.\ chil- 
dren were born to them, two of whom died in 
early infancy, the record of the living being 
as follows: .Solomon, a firmer, owns and 
occupies a' farm adjoining the paternal home- 
stead in rom])kins. is a widower, and has one 
son. Catherine, the eldest daughter, keeps 
house for her brother, Solomon \'an .Aken. 
William, a farmer, residing on the old home- 
stead, is married, and has three children, one 
son and two daughteis. Robert B. is further 
mentioned below. The mother survived her 
husband about a year, and died in Walton in 
1891. Thcv were sincere Christian peojile, 
he being a membL-r of tiie Methodist church, 
and she of the I'nited Presbyterian churcii. 

Robert was educated in the district schoids, 
and assistcil on the home farm until twenty- 
three years old. when he fidlowed the bent of 
his inclinations and learned the jeweller's 
trade, coming to Walton and entering the em- 
ployment of Harvey .Morton. He afterward 



ip|)eneil a jcwelr\- stcire in I. 

(/ounty, where he spent two . 

.Mr. \';in .Aken returned In Walloi 

lished a store fur the sale cif j., .,.,!>, .,,, ; 

silverw.ire, succeeding sn well in this enli 1 

prise 111, it live years later he bmi^lil mit the 

store of Mr. Morton. In 189^ in- '"'-■• 1 oi 

his jewelry store and its content^ in. 

White, and opem-d llie store in- i|i,\v ", ;upir^. 
l>uttiiig in .1 complete line ot furniture: .iimI 
his prospects are good for building iij) a sub- 
stantial business. 

The marriage of Mr. \'an .\ken ;iiid Miss 
Mniily .-\lverson took place on ])ecenibrr jn, 
18S2, in the town of W.ilton, the place of na- 
tivity of the bride. Mrs. \'an .Xkeii's p;irent-,, 
George ami Hettie (Morton) .Mverson, were 
natives of Walton. Her mother |i.isseil to the 
higher life in 1S90, at the age of sixty-four 
years, and her father in 1S91. They left tu e 
children, as follows: ICsther, the wife of ( )ren 
(j. 15arlow. of Daveii'jort. la.: J-Jiiilv. Mrs. 
\'an .\ken : Ihomas, a farmer on the old farm 
in Walton: Dam.iris, tin- wife of Ransom 
Wilson, a lumberniaii in .McKeaii (/oikUw 
I'a. : Seymour, an unmarried man 1: 
Walton. .Mr. and Mrs. \'an .Vken ! 
children. Both he and his wife enio. 
teem of their neighbors : .md b"' 
workers in the Congre_,'.' i'li ^' 
which they are regular 
callv, Mr. \'an .Aken h.i> •-.• 
towaril the teachings of the k 
although he claims the right 
man best fitted for the positio 




_,lDWARD C. I..\SI 
(iiittin's Corners, 
l-'leischmanns 1 : 
and is looked ujion as .1 
and good citi/eii. 11 
(jreeiie Countv. \.^ 
and Mliza .A 
of Conrad 
Lasher. Coi 
Countw - 
his marr; i. 

he was .m early settler. 
made the journev " '' ' - 
llKirked trees, c; 



712 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



with them. They made a home; and he 
became a successful farmer and prosperous 
man, both he and his wife living to the age 
of eighty-three years. They were members 
of the Lutheran church, but never learned the 
luiglish language. They raised a family of 
eight children, by name Robert, Edward H., 
Allen, Abraham, Frederick, Susan, Maria 
Susan, and Katherine. 

Allen Lasher was burn in Red Hook, Co- 
lumbia County, N.Y., and was in every sense 
a self-made man. His educational opportu- 
nities were so limited that he received in all 
but twenty-three days' schooling. He en- 
gaged in farming and lumbering, and worked 
hard to get ahead in the world, cutting tim- 
ber, and then carrying it to Kingston, where 
he purchased supplies. This journey took 
four days, and was made under difficulties. 
Mr. Lasher was born in 1823, and lived to be 
sixty-nine years of age, his wife dying at the 
age of fifty-two. They left seven children: 
Edward C. ; Emmett M., who married Al- 
lerina H. Vaudermark, and had one child; 
Mary E. ; Viola V., who married Theodore V. 
Floyd; Hulda, who became the wife of Will- 
iam H. Whispul, and has two children; 
Charles, residing in Newport; and James, 
who lives at Griffin's Corners. 

Edward C. attended the district schools, 
then commenced farming and lumbering, and 
in 1893 bought the hotel built by Asa Grififin, 
which under his efficient management is well 
patronized. The property covers two acres, 
and the hotel accommodates a large number of 
boarders. Mr. Lasher's first wife was Harriet 
Kelly, daughter of Kelsey Kelly. -She died 
in 1879, leaving one child, Edna, who did not 
long survive her mother. Mr. Lasher chose 
for his second wife Jennie V. Ferio, daughter 
of Peter and Jane (Jones) Ferio, the former 
of whom was a prosperous farmer on Bingle 
Hill. Her mother, daughter of Robert and 
Jane (Newton") Jones, was born in Wales in 
1765, but came to this country when she was 
five years old. Robert Jones lived to be 
eighty-eight years of age, and his wife was 
ninety-four at the time of her death. They 
had a family of fourteen children. By his 
second marriage Mr. Lasher has one son, 
Samuel A., born July 12, 1882. 



Mr. Lasher has inherited the characteristics 
of his German ancestors in energy, i)ersistent 
effort, and good business qualities, ready to 
work hard with any worthy object in view. 
He is a Republican in his political opinions, 
and a Methodist in religion. He is consid- 
ered one of the solid business men of Middle- 
town, and is doing all he can to aid in 
advancing the Ijusiness and social interests of 
the town. 



/^^TiToRGE HENRY BARNES, an able 
\ '•) I and prosperous business man, and an 
^ — esteemed citizen of Franklin, is here 
successfully engaged as a dealer in furniture, 
having a substantial trade in this and the sur- 
rounding towns. He is the worthy representa- 
tive of a pioneer family, being the grandson 
of Lyman Barnes, and the son of Levi Barnes, 
both of whom were formerly well-known citi- 
zens of Franklin. 

Lyman Barnes was born in Branfort, Conn. 
After arriving at years of maturity, he re- 
moved to New Haven, where he engaged in 
general farming, residing there until after the 
birth of all his children. In 1830 he came 
from his New England home to this county, 
locating in the town of Franklin, where he 
spent his last years. He married a Miss 
Brackett, who was of Scotch extraction, but a 
native of Connecticut. She bore him several 
children, including, besides Levi, the father 
of the subject of this sketch, the following: 
George L., who came here from the State of 
his nativity, and, after spending a few years 
in this vicinity, moved with his family to 
Michigan, where he died, leaving a widow 
and three children; Merrick, who spent his 
last years in Georgia: Sherman, who accom- 
panied his brother Levi to Georgia, where 
both were slave-holders, and lived and died in 
that State; and three sisters, Betsey, Jane, 
and Lurinda. None of this family are now 
living. 

Levi Barnes was born in New Haven, 
Conn., in 1 800, and was there married to 
Flora Hubbell, the daughter of John and Pris- 
cilla (Foote) Hubbell, the latter of whom 
died at the age of sixty-nine years, some four 
years prior to the decease of her husband. 



1'.|()(;k \i 



If \i, 



lAII'AV 



''\ 



I IK- laliR-i ^pciii uu- r.iriui vi\u> m iii> m.ii - 
rioil life in tlio cit\' in which he w.is horn, 
beiiij; tlu- i;iri;cr purl ol Ihc time <.iiL;;ii;v(l in 
the nianutactiirc of conilis, opeialin.^ (piitc a 
large factory. In 1S36 he went South wiiii 
his brotlier Meirick, settling in (kvjrgia, 
where he iivetl until his lemoval to this town. 
His declining years were passed in the home 
of his eldest son, George Henry, of I'ranklin, 
who was l)orn in New Haven, Conn., in 1829. 
To I.cvi Barnes and liis wife four children 
were born, as follows: Mary E., who married 
Alonzo HIish, and died at Hawdey, Pa., at the 
age of twentv-lwo years, leaving an infant 
son; George Henry: John Hubbell. a whole- 
sale dealer in tea and coffee in Boston, who 
was killed in a railwav wreck in Cambridge, 
Mass., in 1892. leaving a witlow and three 
children; and Herbert, a farmer in the town of 
BainbridiLC. Chenango County. 



■r^lClIARl) .S. ll.AMxMOXD. a popular 
In^ an<l [irominent citizen of Ku.xbury, 
J_b\ was born at Balavia Kill in this 

^""^ town. January 15, 1S39. He is of 
iMiglish and Dutch descent, one of his great- 
grandfathers, named Ferris, having come here 
from Holland. Mr. Richaril S. Hammond 
can remember going to visit him in his old 
log house many years ago. Mr. Hammond's 
paternal grandfather was Jonathan Hammond, 
wiio came to Koxbury from Long Island, and 
settled on a small farm and built a log house. 
His wife was I'olly Jenkins. They had six- 
children — Nathaniel, James, Polly. Pha-be, 
Margaret, and I.itta. 

Nathaniel Hammond, the father of the sub- 
ject of the present sketch, was born at liatavia 
Kill, and received a common-school educa- 
tion. At the age of twenty-one he purchased 
a farm, which is now owned by James Sher- 
wood, Jr. This farm he sold after improving 
the land and buildings, and went to work in 
the carpenter's trade, which he followed the 
rest of his life. He married Caroline Sears, 
the daughter of Richard Sears, and had eight 
children: Richard S. : Nancy: Franklin: 
Daniel and David, who were twins; James; 
Herbert; and Hector, .\fter working as a 
carpenter at Roxbury for a short time, Mr. 



Il.immond mo\ed i" l.'.-\iii^i'iii. 
Count)-, and from there to Clstir 1 
where he spent liie last years of jii^ jitc lli- 
was a Whig, and w;is ;i prominent cili/.t-n. 
well known and respected. His thurcli pri-l 
erence was Ba|)tisl, ;ind he was a pr- 
niend)er of that church. lie died a: 
of fortv-seven. His wife survived him, ;in'l 
married a second husband. Both are now 
dead. 

Richard, who was n;imed for his ;;rand- 
father .Sears, was educated in the district 
schoid. At the ;ige of seventeen he went 

West to Illinois, where In; workeil f 

but came back to Roxbmy alter tlin 
and continued in the sani v.uii'. .1 

few months after the on; Ci\il 

War. He then torik up arm> in detence ot iii> 
country, enlisting in Septemiier. |.S''>l. in 
Company G, Twentieth New York \'olunleer 
Militia, as a i)rivate. :it the end "1 
being ]iiomoted to be Corporal. In tii 
of .\ntietam. September 17. I So:;, Mr. ll;im- 
mond was wounded in the knee, and disabled 
so that he had to come home, receiving his 
discharge, .-\fter his return he bought a farm 
of one hundred and sixty acres at Pin. Mil!. 
Ulster County. At the enti of two . 
sold it, and bought out a grocery buM);. " ■.-.. 
Pine Hill; but at the end of .1 few years, 
deciding to go back to farming, he tr.ided his 
grocery business for a farm on I'd;. 'n Cre'-k. 
Here he remained ten ye;irs. 

On July 4. 1865, he was marn. ; 
H. Cure, the daughter of William 1 
Pine Hill. She died on this farm ,ii liii. n 
Creek; and he sold the place, and . • :■' 
position as travelling salesman. ' 
15, 1874, he married Pho-be Gr 
of Jonathan and Nancy Gray. 
Countv. He has two chiidreii 
wife, namely: PLlmjr I"., who w.i- 
uarv 13, 1866. married Jennie ii 
one child, and i- 
in Lexington, Gr 
F., who lives at home. Hy his 
ho had four child--- ' •• - "' 
H., both of whom 

IL; and Charles P. .1^: :.s i:. .:•.■. eii. 

and the latter seven >■ 

Mr. Hammond was Deputy 



7»4 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



years, and is now a Constable in the town. 
He is a member of the John A. Logan Post, 
No. 477, of the Grand Army in Stamford, and 
is a respected and popular citizen of Roxbury. 




iDMOND '['. I-'INCH, a prosperous 
farmer of Tompkins, Delaware County, 
N.Y., was born in the adjacent town 
of Colchester, June 23, 1836. His great- 
grandfather came from Kngland before the 
Revolutionary War, and settled in Westches- 
ter County, New York, where he employed 
himself in clearing the land and building a 
log house. His wife accompanied him to this 
country, and here was born their son, James 
Finch, who was a minute-man in the Revolu- 
tion. At the close of the war he married a 
Miss Finny, of Westchester County. They 
reared a large family, leasing land on Harden- 
burgh Patent, which they cleared, erecting a 
log cabin. James Finch rafted his lumber to 
Philadelphia, returning on foot with his pur- 
chases bound to his back, the journey occupy- 
ing four days. He died at Colchester at the 
age of eighty years. 

Jesse Finch, son of James, was born in Col- 
chester, and, after leaving the district school, 
began the business of cutting and rafting 
lumber with his father. When twenty-four 
years of age, he married Huldah Malory, 
daughter of William Malory, who soon after 
his marriage moved to Hamden, Delaware 
County, from Connecticut, buying a farm, 
which he sold ten years later, and then re- 
turned to Colchester. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse 
Finch were the parents of eight children; 
namely, F"rank, George. Mary, Amy, Esther, 
Edmond, Junius, and Cornelia. They moved 
to Tompkins, and settled on the farm now 
occupied by their son, Edmond T., where the 
father died at the age of eighty years. In 
religion he was a Methodist, and until i860 
voted with the Democrats, after which he 
adopted the Republican platform. 

Edmond T. Finch was educated at the dis- 
trict schools of Colchester, and assisted his 
father in farming and lumbering until he 
reached his twenty-second year, and then went 
to Kansas. He joined the "Jay Hawkers," 
a company of Eastern men who banded to- 



gether to make Kansas a free State, and par- 
ticipated in the "Kansas War." At the 
breaking out of the Civil War he returned to 
New York, and enlisted in the Second Heavy 
Artillery, taking an active part in seven of 
the most important battles of the war, among 
them the battle of the Wilderness, Spottsyl- 
vania, and Cold Harbor. In a skirmish at 
Talpothimie Creek every man in his company 
was shot and half of them were seriously 
wounded. His regiment of eighteen hundred 
men lost thirteen hundred in six weeks before 
Petersburg. At Weldon Railroad, June 18, 
1864, Mr. Finch was shot through the right 
lung, and for nine months was confined in the 
hospital at Willets Point, being mustered out 
of service after Lee's surrender in 1865. 

In 1866 Mr. Finch married Miss Clemin- 
tine Grififin, daughter of Stephen and Amanda 
Griffin, of Tompkins, and settled on the old 
homestead, where he still resides. Mrs. 
Finch's grandfather, Peter Griffin, was a pio- 
neer of Delaware County, and married Phebe 
Parks, daughter of the famous "Boswain" 
Parks, a noted scout and hunter of Revolu- 
tionary times, who was locked up as a traitor 
by the inhabitants of Wyoming, whom he had 
warned of the approaching danger. They, 
believing his story of the coming massacre to 
be untrue, had him arrested; but he was re- 
leased by the interference of friends, and es- 
caped the dreadful fate of those who did not 
heed his warning. His daughter, the great- 
aunt of Mrs. Finch, died in Hancock a short 
time ago at the extraordinary age of one hun- 
dred and eight years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Finch have five children — 
Mary. Roy, Leon, Paul, and Edna. Mr. 
Finch is a successful farmer, and, in addition 
to his property in Tompkins, owns farm lands 
in Kansas. He is a liberal-minded, upright 
man, vi'ho enjoys the regard and esteem of his 
acquaintances. 



/lYo 



EORGE F. WOOD, son of Henry W. 
\ '*) I and Sarah Abell Wood, was born in 
^-^ Franklin, X.Y., April 7, 1867. In 
1868, with his parents, he went to Nebraska; 
and he lived there till the summer of 1883, 
when he returned to Franklin, and in Septem- 



BIOGRAPHICAI, KKVIK.W 



bcr lie entered IJelawaie I.ileiarv Institute a.s 
a stiulent. 

Me remained in tiie selinol live vears, ^rad- 
uatinj; in the class of 1888, and takin;; a 
medal for declamation the same \ear. He 
entered Hamilton Collej^e in the fall of 1S8S, 
and at once he was a recognized leader of his 
class in all matters of a common college inter- 
est. He graduated with honor June ^50, 1S92. 
Ho entered I'nion Theological Seminary 
(New- York City) in the fall of 1892. and died 
at the Presbyterian Hospital in New \'ork. 
February 3, .1893. His burial-place is in the 
beautiful Ouleoui cemetery at Franklin, near 
by the village where five years of his school 
days at the institute so pleasantly and so 
quickly passed awa\-. He was a young man 
fully six feet high, of large frame and of noble 
countenance, a \'oung man of large intellect 
and larger heart. 

His character was of the highest order, and 
his friends were legion. The ministry was 
his chosen life-work, and the foreign field his 
place selected for work. The call to die was 
sudden, but not a murmur did he utter. A 
few moments before his death he said, "O 
Lord Jesus, in thy name I ask full and free 
entrance into the city of life."' He was a 
natural speaker, and he spoke with an earnest- 
ness seldom known in a young speaker. 

Franklin mourns the loss of George I". 
Wood. 



-ACOB C. HOAGl.AXI). a retired 
farmer of the town of Tompkins. 
Delaware County, N.V., was born 
in ("lilboa. Schoharie County. April 
I", 1827. His grandfather, Christopher 
Hoagland. was born in New Jersey, and mi- 
grated to Gilboa, Schoharie County, X.V., in 
The latter part of the eighteenth century. 
Here he bought, at twelve and a half cents an 
acre, large tracts of land, which he improved 
and sold at an advanced price to new settlers. 
who kept coming into the country at that 
time. He was the first militia Captain in 
the town, having formed the company which 
he afterward commanded, and also took an 
active part in town affairs. He married ICva 
Van Loan, who, like himself, was descended 



trom the earh Hutch settlers nl ti, 

Ca|>tain and Mrs. Hoagland had live ,, 

Jacob, a meichant in ( alskill; yXbr.ini, .1 --ii 

cessful farnii-r in Gillma: Jaims. iln 

the subject <>i this skitiii: Julin. 

engaged e.xtensi vel v in business, 

nerv, a store at (iilbo.i. arirl a 1 

the same |)lace: .ind .Susan, wlm ; 

n)iin Grev, a merchant in ("atskill. 

James Ijdagland recei\ed his edn 
Gilbiia, his native town, where at .111 
he began to wink on a farm. W hen 1.. - 
in life fur himself, his f.ilher ^avi' liim a I : 
fully stocked, where lie -■ 
days. He married i-"lleii 

.•\bram Hecker, a hotel-keeper anil a represent- 
ative of one iif the uldusl families in Gilbua. 
Fight children were born of this union: 
Christo|)her. who was a farmer in (iilbn.i: 
Abram, a wholesale ami retail dry-goo. Is mer- 
chant in .Albany; Jacob: Nathan, who keejis 
a drv-goods and grocery store in .Schenevus: 
Margaret; Fva; .\daline; and Sarrdi. 

Jacob C. Hoagland was educ;r. 
tive town. Having grown to 1 
purchased his |)resent farm ol ninety-eight 
acres, then ])artly under cultivation. lie m;ir- 

ried Sarah Heagle. of Hancock. daM^liti r of 
John and Margaret (I'inkle) Beagle. 

Mrs. Ho;igland had a family of t.: 

seven of whom are living. '! Iv 

tojjher. who is a farmer of Han 

X'esta Alberta, and has two c; 

berta and Christopher. .\ daughter, 

married l-"dward Christi:in. a t'cm, ■■ 

kins. ;nid has two childr 

Mena. Another daughter. !.;.;.i. :::>•■:. 

John Douglass, a resident ot )', .i"s\ Ivini !. 

and has a family ot lour 

Herbert. Blanche, and Job;,. 

hind married I,aw\er Busli, ot \ 

m;ui in the acid factor ■ 

luvin. Mary married ' 

in Hancock, and li.- 

("hristie. and Artlo.i. 

Summers, a foreman 1 

Hancock, and has one clii..:. .\1 

Hoagland lives at home with hi- 
Mrs. Hoagland is a much r. 

her of the Method i-- ' • ' 

who has been fore: 



7i6 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 




in the acid works of Hancocic, now lives prac- 
tically retired on his farm, assisted in the 
work by his son Orlando. He is held in 
favor by his fellow-citizens, and has made 
many firm friends. 



AVID G. McDonald is now liv- 
ing, retired from the active cares of 
life, on a portion of his farm on the 
East Brook road, about five and one- 
half miles from the village of Walton. He is 
a native of North Carolina, born of Scotch 
parentage, August 3, 1822, in P^ayetteville, 
Cumberland County. His father, Archibald 
R. McDonald, son of Roderick McDonald, 
was born and grew to maturity in Scotland. 
While in the vigor of young manhood, Archi- 
bald McDonald emigrated to America, and, 
going directly to North Carolina, purchased 
a farm near Fayetteville, and resumed the 
occupation to which he had been reared. 
Selling that estate, he at length came to Wal- 
ton, and, after looking about for a little, 
bought the farm where his daughter, Mrs. 
Howland, now lives, and carried it on with 
success until a short time prior to his decease, 
when he sold it to his son-in-law, ICdwin R. 
Howland. Very soon after the transfer of his 
])roperty he was thrown from a wagon, meet- 
ing with such injuries that his death occurred 
three hours afterward, he being then eighty- 
four years okl. His wife, Jeanette Smith, 
was also a native of Scotland, and the daugh- 
ter of John and Jane -Sniitli. .She reared 
seven children: Robert; Catherine: Jane, 
who married John Henderson; John; Mary, 
the wife of Amos Iinsign ; David; and 
Roderick. 

The subject of tliis sketch spent the early 
years of his life in the place where he was 
born, until twelve years old being a regular 
attendant at the district .school; but after that 
time he made himself useful in farm work, re- 
maining with his parents until attaining his 
majority. After the family removed to Wal- 
ton, he began his independent career by 
securing work on a farm by the month. 
His first purchase of land was near the place 
where he now lives. He ran in debt for the 
farm, but managed it so well that it paid for 



itself in a few years. He subsequently sold 
the property to his son; and, buying the one 
hinidred and sixty acres that constitute his 
present homestead, he carried on a good busi- 
ness in general farming and dairying, usually 
keeping about twenty-seven cows. This es- 
tate he has very recently sold to his son- 
in-law, Almon Launt, keeping a portion of 
it for his own use; and here he and his good 
wife are passing their sunset years in com- 
fort. 

Mr. McDonald was married in 1845 to Jane 
Chambers, a daughter of David and Jane 
(Smith) Chambers. She is a native of Scot- 
land, and was about eight years old when her 
parents came to this country. Their family 
circle has been completed by the birth of 
these children: Maria, who died at the age 
of twenty-three years, married Calvin McAl- 
lister, formerly of Sullivan County, but now a 
butter merchant in Walton. Eliza, who mar- 
ried George Seymour, a farmer of Cannons- 
ville, has two children — Ethel and David. 
John, who married Hattie McFarland, has 
two children: Earle, a carpenter, residing in 
California: and Margie. Archie is a miner 
in California. David, a farmer and the su- 
perintendent of a ranch in California, is mar- 
ried, and has one child, Lucy. Jane, who 
married Almon Launt, son of Louis Launt, of 
Hamden, has two children — Louis and Jane. 
Sloane, a farmer in Masonville, married Han- 
nah Terry. 

Mr. McDonald has achieved his success in 
life by diligent toil, directed by sound busi- 
ness principles. He is a man who thinks for 
himself, and in politics does not confine him- 
self to any party, but votes for the best men 
and measures. Roth he and his wife are con- 
sistent members of the United Presbyterian 
church of Walt cm. 




AMUEL B. KEATOR, the owner 
of a productive farm on the Beatty 
Brook road in Kortright, is a suc- 
cessful dairyman and a good citizen 
of the town in wiiich he resides. He was 
born on the farm which he now occupies, on 
March 7, 183 i, a son of Matthew S. and Polly 
(Dennison) Keator. Matthew Keator was 



1'.I(K;R AI'llKAI. Kh.VlKW 



horn in Ulster County, Init removed to Dela- 
ware County and settled at his present home 
about the year i8:;o. This larni was im- 
proved land; but by his unceasin- toil and 
]5ationce he ditl mueh to make it more [)roduc- 
tive. He was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, politically a Republican, 
and died in Jordan, Onondai^a County, at the 
age of seventy-nine years. His wife was a 
native of Delaware County, and died at the 
age of ninety years. They were the parents 
of ten children, eight of whom are now living, 
namely: James, in Louisiana; Catherine Bar- 
low, of Syracuse; David, in California: 
Henry, in Minnesota; Samuel B., the subject 
of this sketch; Julia Doolittle, of Margarett- 
ville, N.Y. : Harriet Chadwick. in Jordan, 
Onondaga County; and Matthew S., in Ten- 
nessee. A daughter Mary died, aged fifty 
years; and Jerman, at the age of sixty-eight 
years. 

Samuel ]>., the fourth son, grew to manhood 
on his father's farm, receiving the best educa- 
tion afforded by the district school at that 
time. He gave his attention to farming, and 
purchased the old home about thirty-five years 
ago. He is the possessor of one hundred and 
ninetv acres of excellent land, superior farm 
buildings, with twenty-five head of the graded 
Jersey cattle, and furnishes dairy products for 
market. 

In i860 he married Miss Jane Ann Mc- 
Murdy, a native of Kortright, and a daughter 
of Jonathan B. and Abigail ?iIcMur.ly. Mr. 
McMurdv was a successful farmer. He died 
at the age of eighty-six, his wife's death oc- 
curring when she was seventy-nine years old. 
Mr. and Mrs. Keator are the parents of two 
children: Helen, wife of A. T. Dunn, a resi- 
dent of Kortright ; and George \V. The lat- 
ter married Miss Mary K. Smith: and they 
reside with his parents, assisting in the care 
of the farm and dairy. Mr. and Mrs. Keator 
are members of the L'nited j'resbyterian 
church at Almetla: and the Republican i)arty 
has an ardent supporter in Mr. Keator. who 
has been Assessor for three years. He is an 
industrious, progressive, public-spirited citi- 
zen, who has won well-deserved success by his 
strict attention to business and honorable 
dealings with his fellow-men. 



•i)Si;i'il S( IIAlil.l.K 
J 5, I.S5 I . His f;ithir, I . 
ler, \v;is ;i (ierman, who i ;imi- to ( oluin 
bi;i Coiintv, ;tnd married there .i Mi^-. 
C;itherine I.on.s, a (lauj;hter ol l-'ndcrii .ni'l 
ICIizabeth 1. 00s. in iIk: I .ous i i. 

were four Lhildreii: (icorg>- R.: il-: 

Joseph; and Melissa, now .Mrs. \\'iN,,ii. 
George .Siliauller w;is something o| .1 wan 
derer, working at iiis traile in H.imileii. t .,1- 
chester, iJel.ancey, Holiday Bridgr. < 
Hollow, Downsville, Oneonta, and 
.At Gregorv Hollow he farmed for 
time, but returned to his trade. .\l < i-:-:!. 
the last named in the list of his abiding- 
places, he remained until his death. 

Josei)h SchauHer was born it (>:>•.. nta 
Plains, Columbia County. Tin ; ba- 
thetic interest surrounding the chn 1 1 "i a 

man who at the age of ten ye;irs went to work 
out on a farm for his board and clntlus, in tlu 

stern school of necessity learning th. '. - 

of i)atient toil and endurance. II 
wages were four dollars for three 
from which they were increased to lo:' 
dollars for eight months. He c 

working on various farms in the neigi. 

until he was twenty-four years idd. when he 

was married to Miss .Amelia Tasey, 1 

he had five children: Delia ]'... born ' 

5, 1S77, who died May I ;, 1.S83; Jane C. 

born July 14, 1879: Maud S., born October 

17, 1 882; Henry. March ',, 1885: an.l Grac . 

born .April 17, 1890. 

losepii Schautkr began worki; 
smithing after his marri.ige. set- 
forge in the old Charles Wils ■ . -. 
Downsville in the fall of 1877. 

Here he |died his traile for two year- 
which he sold nut and worked fi'r <> \i ; 
for Mr. William Ibdmes. 1 
bought out the business of R. 
built a shop of forty by twent\ 
Bogart Avenue. Here he 
horse-shoeing business in 1 
Schaufler's house is .>ne of 
erected in Downsville, ha\i;!., " > ■; 
about fifty years ago. 

He is a Democrat, an : 
of (;)verseer of the I'oor ; 
Schaufler is a Methodist in 



f. 



alter 



M- 



7.8 



BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW 



cess that has attended the life-long toil and 
effort of this man should surely be an incen- 
tive to others who have their own exertions 
only to depend upon, and who need an exam- 
ple to cheer and encourage. 

Mrs. Schaufler's lineage is worthy of record 
here. Her maternal grandfather, A. Wilson, 
was born November 14, 1793, and married 
Elizabeth Teed on the 14th of October, 1824. 
They had four children: Catherine, born No- 
vember 28, 1825; Charles, born May 15, 
1827; John T., born January 14, 1832; 
Emily, born July 30, 1833. On the Tasey 
side she is a descendant of Henry Tasey, of 
Washington County, who married Elizabeth 
Taylor, and raised a family of nine children 
— Hugh, John, Elizabeth, Mary, George, 
Henry, Nancy, Martha, and Margaret. Henry 
Tasey, the ancestor, served in the Revolution- 
ary War. Hugh married Nancy Steward, and 
had six children, as follows: Mary, Henry, 
Alexander, John, George, Archibald, and 
Sarah Jane. Hugh was a shoemaker and 
farmer, and was a Whig. Henry, Jr., born 
July 13, 1822, married Catherine Wilson. 
Mrs. Schaufler, the wife of the original of the 
biographical sketch, was one of their children. 




(INDEEY E. HOVT, senior member of 
the firm of L. E. Hoyt & Co., pro- 
prietors of the Walton foundry and 
machine works, was born in this 
town June 26, 1853. He comes of stanch 
New England stock, being the only son of the 
late Edwin and Eliza Ann (St. John) Hoyt, 
both natives of Walton, and a great-grandson 
of Thaddeus Hoyt, one of the original settlers 
of this section of Delaware County, who came 
to Walton in 1790 from New Canaan, Conn., 
bringing with him his young wife, Jemima 
(Benedict) Hoyt, and one son. Of the five 
children of their household all but the eldest 
were horn in Walton. One, Matthew, died 
in early youth, the names of the others being 
Thaddeus, John H., Amasa, and Chauncey. 
Amasa Hoyt, who was the fourth son born to 
his parents, was the grandfather of the subject 
of this sketch. He was a farmer, and suc- 
ceeded his father in the ownership of the 
home.stead, which was about four miles north 



of the village of Walton, and on which he 
spent his entire seventy-eight years of life, 
his body being there now interred. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth Hyatt Seymour, a daughter of 
Samuel Seymour, of Walton, who bore him 
nine children, seven of whom are now living, 
as follows: Lewis, who resides in \Valton : 
Thaddeus S., a farmer on West Brook; Fred- 
erick, in Walton; Edward, owning a farm 
adjoining the old homestead, a twin brother 
of Edwin, deceased; William S., residing in 
Unadilla, Otsego County; Julia, who is the 
wife of Stephen Lyon; and Whitney, who 
lives in Binghamton. The oldest of these 
children is now seventy-eight years of age, 
and the youngest fifty-three years, their com- 
bined ages aggregating four hundred and 
seventy years. 

Edwin Hoyt lived but a few years after his 
marriage with Miss St. John, dying in No- 
vember, 1855, when but twenty-eight years of 
age. Mrs. Eliza A. Hoyt still lives in Wal- 
ton, and is now enjoying the comforts to 
which her earlier years of toil have richly 
entitled her. Being left a widow when quite 
young, with little of this world's goods, and 
with a young child to care for, she labored 
diligently with her needle, working at the 
tailoress's trade, and made a good living for 
herself and son. She is a daughter of the 
late Cyrus and Lydia (Andrews) St. John, 
and one of their seven surviving children, all 
of whom, with the exception of one daughter, 
who resides in Ohio, are residents of Walton. 
Her father, who was a prominent farmer of 
this town, rounded out a long life of ninety- 
three years, retaining until the last in a 
degree his great mental and physical vigor, 
dying very suddenly, February 27, 1892. He 
was a very devoted and exemplary member of 
the Methodist F^piscopal church, in which he 
had been for many years an officer. He was a 
son of Peter St. John, Jr., and a grandson of 
Peter St. John, Sr., who came to Walton from 
Norwalk, Conn., in 1803. 

Peter St. John, .Sr., was born in Xorwalk 
in 1726, and died in Walton in 181 1. He 
worked at shoemaking and farming after com- 
ing to this town, being one of the most indus- 
trious and prosperous of its pioneers. He 
was a poet of much merit, and was a Yale 



BIOGRAI'lllCAI, RKVIKW -19 

student, but Ictt college hcforc i;ra(luating tn .\iivfml)t.i' In- ImiiKil a p.ii lini.slii|i u itii In 

nuurv Molly Cook, one of Xew liaven's ])rel- -urlha, a maeiunist, ami 1 lionijiMPii. 1 

tiesl belles. Sewn chililren were bom ol niouUler, ami eslablislieil his |iresent loumliA 

this union - i'hi hi, Amelia, Justus, Sallv, ami maeliiiie-slioi>. Mi. Iloyt soon boutjht 

Adonijah, i'olh, ami (lideon. His wile out the interest ot the niouhler; and WinheM 

Molly died in 1759. in New Jersey, whither .S. Cook and l-'r.iiik I'iiuh were 

they iiad moved. lie subsequentlv returnetl admitted to the lirm. whieli w: 

to Norwalk, where in 1761 he married Re- business by April, iSSij, almost their hrst 

becca Crolo(>t, who bore him eleven children work in the foundry being to make the cast- 

— I'cter, Hannah, Hetty, Joseph, I.ydia, ings for the railway, besides whiih thev dirl 

Rachel, Cook, .Anna, William, Rebecca, and general machine work. The firm !• 

]-"/.ekiel. Jose|)h ilied in childhood; and eminent success; and in iSyJthepn 

Lydia, Teler. Jr., Cook, and ICzekiel have all machine-shop, thirty feet by ninety feel, was 

been residents of Walton, coming here within erected. In Jainiary, uSijj. .M. J. .Stanton 

the fust four vears of the present century. bought out the interest of .Mr. Tregurtha, .md 

I'eter St. John, Jr.. the maternal great- is now manager of the business, 
grandfather of Mr. Ilovt, was three times Mr. lloyt was married March Ji, iXX:. • . . 
wedded. His first wife was Sarah Hoyt, by X'irginia A. Stevens, a native ot 
whom he had one child, both chiUl and mother County, being a daughter of 1). (i. St. \' :.-. ■! 
(lying .shortly, at about the same time. His West \'irginia. whose remaining childr.'ii ar.- 
second wife died at the age of thirty-seven a son, living in Walton, a daughter 
years, in 1804. leaving five sons, one of whom in llagerstown, Mil., and another ■. , . 
was the grandfather of Mr. Hoyt. IniSoshe who resides in Ohio. Five children have 
married l*"sther Hoyt, of Xorwalk, who bore blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. I! 
him one son, Isaac. She survived her bus- of whom died in intancy. The lour t- 
band, who died in icS24 at the age of sixty- arc: I'.dwin Hell, a sturdy lad of ten \. 
three vears. while she lived until 1836. For Helen Eliza, eight years old: Cl\de. ti.:, 
more than one hundred years the name of St. years; and a beautiful baby boy, Irving Win- 
John has been held in honor in Walton, some field. Mr. Hoyt and his family re- 
of the most infiuential of the earlier settlers his mother in the house which she | 
of the town having borne that name. in the days long gone by. and which he iia> 

When a lad of ten years, Lindley IC. Hoyt entirely remodel led, and which is as c.... v ..,! 

began working as a chore boy on a farm, an<l comfortable a home as one would wi- 

in"l87l entereil a blacksmith's shop, wiiere he The adult members of this family att. :i : i;.- 

served an ai)prenticeship of three vears. He Congregational church, and in Mr. H.i>t the 

continued to follow his trade, most of the Republican party has one «{ its mo>t f,,ithtul 

time at the same shop, until 1888, his work adherents, 
being mostlv carriage-ironing. On the ist ol 



INDEX 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



Acklov. l^lward A. . 




• 4')^ 


Adair, Hugh 


. 410 


Adams, Cliarles S. . 




. ('io 








Adec, lames S. . . 




■ '35 


Adee, S. F 




. 562 


Alexander. Mrs. I'li/a 


beth U 


. . 210 


.Allalieii, Charles S. . 




• .^36 


Allahen. Kev. William 


X. 


. 1S9 


Alkn, Hiram .A. . . 




. 650 


Allison, Geori;e W. . 




• 325 


Anderson, David 




. (.T.S 


Andrews. George .S. 




• ioi; 


Andrews. John |. 




■ '51 


Andrews, William 




■ 3'> 


Andrus, Charles 1.. . 




• 34' 


.-\ndrus, Frank .M. 




• '43 


.Arbuckle. lobn \. . 




. 656 


Armsiiong, Waller T. 




• 453 


.'\iistin, 'Iheopliilus (1. 




• 131 



Babcock, John . . 
liaker, 1 lorace . . 
Maker. Mrs. .Susan K 
liallantine. James 
Halhird, George I'.. . 
Mallard, James (;. 
lialleiuine, James 
Barlow. ( ieorge . . 
Barlow, William H. . 
Barnes. George H. . 
B.irtlett, Henry K., .M.U 
Bartow. .Andrew P. . 
Bassett, George I'.. .M.I 
B.Ues, Ciurden W. 
Baunies. John H. . . 
Beach. Ira . . . . 
Beach, .M\ron 1.. . . 
Beckley, William K. 
Beckwith, John . . 



6</> 
(>Sij 
703 
44S 
45^ 
355 

5'^ 
324 
7'2 
3'^4 
.</. 

r,or> 

'5'.! 

346 

1 2 
■iOs 
'72 



Beers, Chester 
Beers, lidwin H. . 
Beers. 1-red I'. 
Beers, Joshua . . 
Bell. Hdmund R. . 
Bell, Howard, .M.l). 
Bell, W.alter L. . 
Bennett, Oscar 1. . 
Biehler, George . 
Uieler, Jacob . . 
Bisbee, .Sherman . 
Black, William T. 
Blakelv. John I'. . 
Blish, John .M. . 
Blish, .\ovatus M. 
Bogart, Gilbert . 
lionnefond. John B. 
Bookhoul. Isaac S. 
Bookhout, Tallman t 
Booth. George W. 
Bouton. .Artluir K. 
Bouton, Sherman S. 
Bouton, Webster .M. 
Boyd, Canfield 
Bramley. John W. 
Bramley, .Miles 
Brazee. George 
Brinkman, ( leorge 1 1 
Brinkman, William 
Brown, George T., M.l 
Brown. James H. 
Brown, John . . 
Brown, Samuel I. 
Brown, William II. 
Brundege. Calel> . 
Burchus, < ieorge . 
Burgin. Homer C. 
Burke, John J. 
Burns. J. Douglas 
Burrell. .Morrill 
Burrows, Jesse O. 
Burrows, J. Thomas 
Burrows, Capt. I'.dmer 
Bush, Lewis . . . 
Butler, Mrs. Rachel . 
Butts, Orson J. . . 



M. 



53^' 

4" 

'■'3 

34 

l')0 

up 

\<)0 

46s 

22^> 
622 

'•75 
70.S 

S3>< 
392 
nyC. 

'•52 

252 

5"» 
.r,3 

7'S 
5 ■'^2 
70.S 

'4 
434 
425 
I 21 
3'2 
122 
52.S 

''23 

4.^2 

2SS 
560 
300 

3.S; 
'23 
40 

''77 
301 
470 
242 
1; 

455 

100 



Cal)le, Clark . . . 
Calhoun. Malcolm 
Campbell, Ari liili.ild 
Campbell, Duncan . 
Cami)licll, I lysses S. 
Carpenter, .Albert 1'., I. 
Carpenter. .Augustus J. 
Carpenter. John 1 . . 
Carroll, Arnold S. 
Cartwright. Menrv G. 
Chace, Levi .S. . . 
Chamberlain, .Mrs. .Ame 
Chamberlin, Jaculi H. 
Chamberlin, John C. 
Champion. .Simon 1!. 
Chapman, John . . 
Chichester, John . . 
Chislioln). James W. 
Chrisman. James D. 
Church. Martin . . 
Churcliill. Stephen K.. M.D 
Cl.mcev. John D. 
Clark. Henrv W. . . 
Clark. J.. hn'. . . . 
Clark, Rev. Jn|,n . . 
C uan, ICmmett 1 ). 
Cobbe, William . . 
Cole, Diniit B. . . 
Combs. 1 lenrv .A. 
Combs. Horace .M. 
Cuok. .\m.isa I'. . 
Corbin, .\ndrew I. 
Cornish, J.ic.b .\i. H, 

W. . 



Lr.i:_ 

Crar, 

Crary. Hora'c H 

Crawfof'!. G'or^ 

Cro: 

Croi. 

Croiik, \\ ;i.:.^ . 

Crosbv. t'aUin 



1... M.D 



W 



;(.s 
321 
'.1; 
5'''4 

I 12 

'"3 

35 

-■4 ' 



' Ci 

2S| 

■3'' 
;-'! 
427 

373 
4,^, 

I'll 

44S 

1 1'/ 

442 

701 






''24 

55" 
3 = 
2"' 



722 



INDEX 



Crosby. Charles L 236 

Curtis. James W tei 



Dann. Edson S j7 

Darrow, Joseph 506 

Dean, Uudlev H 219 

Uean, llalsey 684 

Decker, George G 523 

Decker, .Samuel, M.D 280 

DeLancv, Thomas 558 

Dibble. Daniel S 645 

Dickson, Charles J 310 

Dickson. Henry J 612 

Doijr, .\ndre\v T 287 

Doig. William J 673 

Dooliltle, Erastus D 297 

Dougherty, Elbridge F. ... 636 

Dovie, Charles 630 

Drake, Ulysses 667 

Durfee. W. Henry 647 



Earl, Dennis VV 429 

Edgerton, Edward 146 

I-.dgerton. \V. G 625 

Edwards. Henry .S 430 

Eells. Mrs. Emma M 603 

Eells, John S 367 

Eells, Junius H 603 

Eells. William H 85 

Eels, Allen K 42S 

Eels, Stephen D 132 

Eggleston, Samuel 629 

Ells, Orson J 73 

England, Henry 60 

Evans, (jeorge A 646 

Eveland, Joseph 240 



Farrington, Zenas 
Ferguson, John 1). 
Finch, Edmond T. 
Finch, Henry . . 
Finch, \'ictor . . 
Fish, Octave B. . 
Fisher, George A. 
Filch, .Augustus S. 
Fitch. George VV. 
Fletcher, William 
Flint. Nelson O. . 
Foote, David . . 
Foote, Joseph H., .M.D 
Foote. Mrs. Sylvia E. 
I'ord. Hon. William L. 
Foreman. Archibald 
I'orman, Jolin K. . . 
Forman. William H. 
Forster, Martin . . 
Francisco, Andrew J. 



364 
457 
714 
1S9 

1 75 
O02 

234 
4S4 
216 

105 
699 

594 
114 

389 
466 

79 
4S3 
643 
304 

481 



rAGB 

Eraser, I'eter 442 

Fra.ser, Robert A 3'° 

Frazier, Rev. James K. ... J24 

Frisbee, Mitchell X 86 

Frisbee, Willard H 21 

Fry, William A 323 

Fuller, William 309 



Ganoung. .Arthur J 173 

Cianoung, George 683 

Ganung, Henrv E 208 

Gales, Henry A,, M.D. ... 215 

Gay, Miss Laura 96 

Gaylord, Harper b 269 

Gemmel, Cyrus 115 

George, .A. J 709 

George, Hiram N 51 

Gerome, Charles H 363 

Getter, Aurea F 356 

Gibbs, Major George C. . . . 376 

Gibson, Forrest F 56 

Gibson, James A 621 

Gillett. .Mrs. Laura 337 

Gladstone, George 640 

Gleason, Wallace B 137 

(lorsch. Charles 254 

tiould, Clark .A 220 

Gould, Jay 525 

Gould, John W 614 

Gould, Orlando 59 

Gould, Hon. Wesley .... 387 

Graham, Frank 550 

Graham, Henry S S3 

Graham. J Mil'o 472 

Grant. R. Hume 627 

Grant, Ransom A 462 

Graves, Prof. Willis D. ... 1 77 

Gregory, James J 346 

Gregory, J. T 370 

Gregory, Sherman S 531 

Griftui.'llon. Dewitt .... 352 

Griffin. John 656 

Griffin, Matthew 352 

(iriffis, Fred H 20 

Groat, Henry 480 

Guild, Truman 143 



PAGE 

Hastings, James E 637 

Hastings, Thomas E 503 

Hatfield, Charles R 559 

Hathaway, Benjamin .... 315 

Haverly. .Alonzo A 267 

Hawk, Ransom R 584 

Hedge, John 618 

Herring, Charles 627 

Herrmann, Carl 168 

Hewitt, Rev. Isaac 486 

Hicks, Charles 1 701 

Higbee, Theophilus B. ... 396 

Hill. Myron 212 

Hill, Thomas 6ti 

Hillis, Joseph 182 

Hilson, John 255 

Hilson, Thomas A 628 

Hitt, Charles E 402 

Hitt, Edwin L 369 

Hoag. David C 572 

Hoagland, Jacob C 715 

Hobbie, John S 250 

Hoffman, Peter F 668 

HoUey, James 13 

HoUey. James A.. M.D. ... 116 

Holmes, Henry W 96 

Holmes. William E 220 

Honeywell, James R 334 

Hood, Capt. Joshua K. ... 27 

Horton, Mrs. Hannah E. . . . 391 

Houck, Charles G 214 

Howes, Edmund .A 165 

Howland, Elias B 480 

Howland, T. Pollock .... 424 

Hoyt, Edgar P 444 

Hovt, Edward 241 

Hoyt, Lindlev E 718 

Hovt. Thadd'eus S 596 

Hu'bbell, David W 120 

Hubbell. George W 693 

Hubell. Rev. Charles .A. . . . 635, 

Huchins, Dr. Edward C. . . . 390 

Hull, William A 228 

Hume, Henry H 3S8 

Hunt, Henry W 551 

Hunt, James 583 

Hutson. John 661 

Huyck, George J 605 

Hymers, Capt. William . . . 347 



H 

Halt, Ezra H 

Hambly. Rev. Milton C. 
Hammond, Richard S. 
Hanford. Mrs. Cordelia 
Hanford, William B 
Hanmer, Lsaac 
Hardenburgh. Isaac 
Haring, William . 
Harkness, E. R. . 
Harper, James E. 
Harper, Oscar F. 
Harrington, Jeremiah A. 
Harris, David R. 



'# 



I 

Inderlied. Herman F 518 

^l Ives. Washington M 532 

582 

7'3 

127 J 

201" 

534 Jackson, James K. 1' 400 

542 Jenkins. David G 509 

303 Jenkins. Emery 45 

287 I Jenkins, Hosea 580 

119* Jenkins, James H 63 

685" Jenkins, Orson 192 

374 Jenner, William E., .\1.D. . . . 682 

75 Judd, George A 505 



\ 



"] 



IXDKX 



■ ^ 



K 

Kcalor, Eugene T. 
Kcator, Cicorm.' H. 
Koator, H. Ward. M |i 
Keator, Sainiiol It. . 
Kelly. Crosby . 
Kelly. (Icorgc (".. 
Kelly, Lorenzo I). 
Kelso, lames W. . 
Kerr. lames S. 
Kiff. Charles i:. . 
Kini;ston, Thomas I ) 
Kling. John .... 
Knapp. Hon. Charlo 
Knapp. Charles 1'. 
Knapp, .Seymour . 
Knight, Charles 
Korn, Samuel . 



5'I3 
l.)5 

r"' 

45" 

506 

;,,(, 
174 
5"4 
5''3 
|<U 
22S 

447 



.\li .Allist.-r, (.alvin 
McDiinald, David 1 . 
.M> Donald, I.ums 
McDonald, John I 
.McDonald, William 
.Mcl-.irland. Hiram 
Mcl-'arlane, .\lixandci 
.Mcl'.ulane, ('lilhert . 
Mi;< lil)bon, John . . 
.Mcintosh, iheoiihiliis I- . 



.McKcnna, Ephraim I 
McKinncy, .Mahlon . . 
McLaury.' James S.. M.I). 
.McLean, Daniel L. . . 
.McLean, I'rank H. 
McMnrdv, Joseph S. 
McN'aiigiit.'john .S., M.D. 
.McNee, William (i. . . 
Mead, George O. 
.Meeker, Charles C. . 
Mein. Samuel .... 
Merrick. Mrs. Jane K. . 
iMetcalf, ICdward S. . . 
Metcalf, William H. . 
Meyer, John .... 
.Mifidlemasl. Thomas D. 
.Miller, Ikrrv S. . 
Miller, David J. . . 
.Miller, Col. Samuel F. 
.Miner, Oliver K. . . 
Minor, .\lbert P. 
.Minor, James .S. . 
.Moffatt, Charles P. . 
.Mcmtgomery. David 
.Montgomery, George 
Moore, .Ambrose B. , 
Morenus. Harvey B. 
.Morrow, William B.. .M 
Morse, James .Vbner 
.Moseman, Elra . . 
Mowbray, J. Lincobi, .M 
iMuir, David 
.Munson, Ainer 
Murdock, Jesse 
Mnrra\. A. I.. . 



N 

M 

N'ert. Obadiah .M. 

Mable, JohnB ::25 , Neish. Alexander 

.Mace, Charles H 6^.4 \csbitt, Robert . 

.Manzer. D. Jerome . -375 Newkirk, John L. 

.Martin, Josiah 52 xii^s. Samuel W. 

Martin, Cen. Williams ... y North, G.abriel 

Marvin, George W 5"! North, Kabert. |r. 

Marvin. Lewis 44 North, Robert, Sr. 

Marvin. .Matthew W 4(>S North, William W. . 

Marvin. Nathaniel C 524 Northu]). Porter C. . . 

Mathewson, S. Harrison . . . 549 

Maxwell. Leander H iSo 

.May, L. P 5S9 O 

.Mavnard, .\rcliibald K. . . 32.S 

Mavnard, Hon. Isaac H. . . . 571 Odwell, John 1 . . . . 

Maynard, John W 479 Ogden, Mrs. Hannah 1 ). 

Mavnard, .Milton H 1 ;6 Ogden. Willi.im B. . . 



.M l> 



Laidlaw. Kbenezer 


710 


Lake, Edgar B, .M.D. 


13S 


Lakin, Earl S. . . 


644 


Lakin. Edgar O. 


497 


Lakin, James W. 


493 


Lakin, John T. 


557 


Lakin, Porter . . . 


5S1 


Landon, Dr. Marcus O. 


t6o 


Lasher, Edward C. . . 


711 


Lasher, (ieorge H 


409 


Lasher. Philip . . 


"3 


Lasher, William H. . . 


(163 


Lawrence, Jacob . . 


63S 


Lawrence, J. Duncan 


131 


Leal, Henry ... 


3'^ 


Leonard, lir. Rutson K. 


439 


Lewis, Truman . . . 


5'P 


Liddle. Robert . . 


443 


Lindsley, Ebene/er W . 


21 1 


Littebrant, Henry . . 


32 


Looniis, Sherman B. 


(>6<) 


Lyon, Charles L. . , 


26 


Lyon, John .M 


249 


Lyon, Stephen 


324 



140 



4-3 



< >li\er, Koliett I 

1,1: , ., ,,l |,,1,„ 

IS M 
n I. 
tirr, {nhn \| 
"rr. \Villi.,m . 
■ lul, I /r.i 
Lewis II 



17 



5" 2 

50.S 

3-2 
4i'( 

-'37 
301 

254 

3..S 

'•47 

521 

277 
36<; 

67.S 

354 
406 
12.S 
47' 

345 
I.Sl 
402 
;i; 

45^ 
5,/, 

I '/J 
..,9 
3'7 
657 
230 
74 
'■74 
47« 
33'S 
130 
'■'7 
595 



335 
540 
'47 
54^ 
'71 

2')2 
2('<\ 

25'^ 
^.62 

1 3' I 



I'almatccr, K.inson: 
Palmer, Lvman B. 

Palmer, H. W 

Palmertnn, Kosewcll K., .M.D. 

Park, Kcv. Thomas ... 

Patlengill, Rev. Julius S. . 

Patterson, .\rthur G. 

Pavne, .\lbert . . . 

I'e.\kc. Albert D. 

Peck, .Amos C. 

Peck, Frank 

Peters. John 

Peters. William II. . . 

Pcttingill. Samuel C, .M D 

Phelps. Horace I ',. 

Pierce. James W 

Pierson, Joseph .M. 

Pine, Joshua, Jr. . 

Pomerov, lames .\. 

Pond, Edwin W. . 

I'ost, Rev. George T 

Powell, John E. . . 



!■: II 

Rose, John . . 
K— . I.. ^^^ 



t.y, 

40S 
44' 
47" 
527 
'•5' 
342 
404 
'■45 
43'' 

:a 

2'K' 

5'" 
520 
379 
2'.^ 
(.4,, 

591 
273 
240 



Radeker, I'.nluar . 


4" 


Reed, Smith W., .M l> 


.>s 


Reed, William . . . 


4'*2 


Reynolds, Cornelius D. 


302 


Revnolds. George H.. M.D. 


374 


Revnolds, William R 


452 


Rice, Henry 


3"' 


Rich. Robert S. . 


233 


Rich, .Mrs. Sarah 


S:: 


Rider, Gardner 1.. 


"■4 


Rifenbark, Stephen 1 


422 


Roberts, I). Weld . 


v4 


Roberts, .Merrit S. 


"'■" 


I; ' ' : George 1 


47; 


1 , e W. 

i 'IP. 


542 


1 ^ \ 


u- 




43'' 




101 



Ku.-3. 11, Arniie« -M. 
(K)5 Russell. .\ndre« T. 

56 Russell, John G. . 
6<>4 Russell. Stephen 



'>2I 

27s 
457 
40'' 

'12'. 



724 



INDEX 



C. 



Sackrider, James 
Salton, John I). 
Sanderson, Hon. Timothy 
Sanford, Riley . . ■ 
Sawyer. .Mrs. Melinda 
Schaffer, George I.. . 
Schaurier, Joseph 
Scofield, Charles K. 
Scott, Elbert O. . . 
Scott, George E. . . 
Scott. Gilbert T., M.D 
Scott. Thomas H. . 
Scott, Walter, Esq. . 
Seacord, Erastus R. 
Seacord, Stephen R. 
Seaman, Harvey M. 
Searing, Rev. Richard 
Searles. Alexander . 
Searles, Felix . • 
Searles, /.etus F. . . 
Sewell, Hon. Albert H 
Sewell, Hubert S. 
Seymour, .41onzo . . 
Seymour, George S. 
Shaffer. Edward A. . 
Sharpc, DeWitt C. . 
Shaw, Hector . . . 
Shaw, James A. . 
.Shaw, John T. . . . 
Shaw, Rev. Samuel G.. 
Sheffield, J. W.. .M.D. 
Signor, George A. . 
Silliman, Hiram H. . 
Slater, Oscar J. . . 
Sliter, George R. . . 
Sloan, Robert H. . . 
Smith, George . . . 
Smith, George E., M 
Smith, Prof. John Y. 
Smith, Joseph A. . . 
Smith, Nelson . . . 
Smith, Capt. William 
Smith, William G.. M 
Southworth, Eugene B 
Stearns, David W. . 
St. John, Arthur H., M.D. 
St. John, Capt. Julius W. 



.D 



D 



.1). 



124 
690 
37S 
570 
II I 
671 
7'7 
607 

64 
650 

16 
522 

193 
268 
26S 

'9 

547 

275 
704 
3S5 

392 

569 

S<>2 

'53 
'33 
66 
648 
'45 
235 
4S5 
348 
510 
4S9 
691 
697 

3'4 
209 

495 
383 
1 06 
142 

274 

.So 
366 
168 
14S 



.St. John, Lewis S. . . 
Stoddart. Mrs. Janette G. 
Storie. Alexander . . 
Storie, James C, M.D. 
Stoutcnburg, Hiram E 
Stoutenburgh, Andrew J. 
Strnngeway, Andrew T. 
Street. Sherman. M.I). 
.Strong, Lewis V>. . . 
Swart, William R. 



463 
166 
187 
630 

70 
238 
492 
697 

"55 

162 



Taylor, Edwin 


33 


Tavlor, Justus W. . . . 


1 1 


Ten Broeck, William A. 


362 


Terry, Rev. ./^Ibert W. . . . 


672 


Terrv, Samuel 


298 


Thomas, John, Jr 


103 


Thomas, \'an Buren . . 


623 


Thompson, Hon. David L. . 


313 


Thompson, William J. . . . 


95 


Thomson, Andrew J. 


264 


Thomson, William S. . . 


54 


Tiffany, Francis E. . . . 


48 


Tobey, Charles C. . 


279 


Todd, Augustus H. . . 


585 


Tompkins. Edward F. . . 


vS4 


Townsend. James . . 


291 


Townsend. .Mrs. Sarah H. 


4f'7 


Travis, Squire W. . . . 


62,- 


Treyz, George L . 


'79 


Tweedie, Alexander 


107 


Tweedie, William 


"7 



Van Aken, John D 600 

Van .'Xken, Robert B 710 

Van Housen, Rev. Jacob B. . . 552 

Van Steinburg, .Abraham . . . 616 

\'ermilya, Charles H 692 

V'ermilva. Edgar A C61 

\'enill,' Charles H., A..M.. Ph.D. too 



W 

Wade, Mrs. E. J. . . 
Wakefield, William . 
Walker, Thompson K. 
Walsworth, Louis M. 
Warner. .Mrs. Emily K. 
Warner, Harry . . 
Wattles. Sluman L. . 
Webb, Charles C. 
Webb, Capt. James 1. 
Webb, William H. . 
Webster, George . . 
Weir, Mrs. Catherine J. 
Wetmore, Charles W. . 
Wheeler, Col. George D. 
Wheeler, Hon. Marvin D. 
Whipple, Jerome . . . 
Whitaker, John O. . 
White, Benjamin J. . . 
White, John S. . . . 
White, .Samuel E 
White, Samuel J. 
White, Samuel iM. 
White. Thomas E. . 
White, William L. 
Wight, David L. . 
Wight, George 
Williamson, David 
Willis, Warren G. 
Wilson. James S. 
Wilson, William 11. 
Winans, Isaac . . 
Winter, John W. . . 
Wood, .Amos P. . 
Wood, George F. 
Wood, O. D. . . . 
Wood, Rufus S. . 
Wood, Schu)Ier E. . 
Wood. William H. 
Woodin. David B. . 
Woodruff. Cliarles S. 
Wright, William R. . 



■M D. 



Young, James 
Young, Peter 



W. 



'•■43 

555 

69 

32' 
698 
(■>98 

573 

104 

88 

499 
152 
683 

108 
397 
^•'37 
'75 
611 
490 
5" 

54 
248 

62 
105 

545 
68 1 

539 
341 

2S5 

92 

437 

22 

368 
251 

7'4 
215 
4' 
533 
140 
616 
590 
5S9 



239 
265 



\ 



PORTRAITS. 



Adee, George . . 
Baker, Horace 
lilish, John M. . 
liogart, Gilbert 
Burrows, Palmer L 
Burrows, Mrs. Sophron 
Campbell, Duncan . 
Clark, Rev. John . . 
Crary, Horace II. 
Doolittle, Erastus 1). 
Drake, Ulysses . . 
Edwards, Henry S. . 
Fitch, George \V. 
Forman, William H. 
Fuller, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Fuller, William 
Getter, Aurea F. 
Gibson, Adam 
Gould. Jay . . 
Graham, J. Milo 
( Gregory, J. T. . 



ia M 



576 

f)SS 

393 
(^S3 
-45 
::44 

l(>5 
535 
413 

(,(/, 

43' 
21 7 

642 

307 
3o() 

357 
620 

525 
473 
371 



Gregory. Slitrman S. . 
Hardcnburgh. Isaac 
Hastings, Jennie M. 
Hastings, Thomas K. 
Hewitt, Rev. Isaac 
Hoyt, Thadcleus .S. 
Kerr, James S. 
Korn, Samuel . . . 
.MartiTi Gen. Williams . 

.May, I.. 1' 

Maynard, .Xrcliibald I . 
Maynard. Mrs. Jennie I. 
.Maynard. Milton H. 
Mc.-Mlister, Calvin 
McDonald. James 
McGibbon. John . 
McN'aught, John S. 
.Minor, .\lbert I'. . 
Minor, James S. . 
Montgomery. Hiram 
.Morrow. William B. 



543 

50- 
502 

4^7 



It' 

8 

;,S.S 

33' 

33-'' 
I ;; 
140 

<•:•' 

■'4 
4yi 

2^1 



.Niks. Samuel W. . 
Norlli. Mrs. M.iry Fine 
N'orili. Robert, Jr. 
(Irr 'I'" M 

r.i. 

'■' :- I . 

I . James 
■ '' .\.ii,'!fi 
.•-itorie, ' \ 

Storie, J ; D 

Tiltanv. Ir.ini.i.-. 1.. . 
Waketield. WMlinm . 
Walker. ! K 

Webb, ( .1. 

Wetmorc, I ir ~ W. 
Willis. Warren C. 



4'. 
-'•■4 



.McDon.ald, Ji.hn T. 
farm .. . . 



\icw of 



i-\: 



\ 



X fO^ "f^ti 



^< 



CI, 



eH2» 



.K ^ 



% 



c 






'A- 



